Funeral Celebrant
About Funeral Celebrants
A Certified Funeral Celebrant is an individual who works with a family to plan and then conduct a personalized funeral ceremony that reflects the personality and life-style of the deceased no matter what their beliefs may be. The service will include stories, memories, a favorite song or two, a special blessing or readings and a picture video tribute if chosen by the family.
Is a Celebrant right for your family?
First and foremost, if your family or deceased loved one is part of a faith community, we encourage you to contact them and embrace their support. If you are not part of a faith community, we have clergy that can help with your loved one's service, or our Funeral Celebrant is happy to do so. If you prefer to have a service that is less religious, yet spiritual, and more a celebration of life, highlighting your loved one's personality and life-style, our Celebrant is right for you. Our Celebrant is also happy to incorporate scripture readings and prayers; the celebration is meant to include all elements the family members desire.
The R. Hayden Smith Family Funeral Home Celebrant/Life Tribute Professional on staff is our own, Charlotte C. Dillow. Charlotte joined the funeral home in 2013 and also serves as our Aftercare Coordinator. She was born and raised in Hampton and is very active in the community. She trained and was certified by InSight Institute Training, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Charlotte understands the importance of personalization of the funeral service and will honor and respect the family's wishes when helping to plan the ceremony.
When you don't know what to say or do - let the ceremony speak for you. What was unique to your loved one? Playing golf, playing or enjoying baseball, singing, or playing a guitar? What about going to the beach, the mountains or going fishing?
A favorite past time of fishing - tell stories of the one that got away, the fishing trip that turned into the best family vacation ever, the trip when no one caught a thing and everyone got sunburned; what if you asked everyone to take a fishing lure from the basket in the back as they left the service and used that lure when they went fishing and remembered good times with your loved one. We encourage you to help us make a personalized and memorable service.
Contact Charlotte at the funeral home at 757-723-3191 or rhaydensmithfuneralhome@gmail.com.