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  For Immediate Release

FUNERAL DIRECTOR ADDS TO CREDENTIALS

Glenview, Illinois - On April 27, 2003 the Certified Funeral Celebrants Program recognized Marguerite A. O'Connor PC, for achieving certification. The Certified Funeral Celebrant may conduct funeral services that commemorate the life of the deceased with a personalized memorialization. Over 40 people met at the Worsham College of Mortuary Science to become certified as Funeral Celebrants. Doug Manning, noted author on bereavement and other issues of loss for In-Sight Books, Inc. created this program, which has become very popular in the United States.

Many people do not have a church or clergy person on whom to call at the time of death. Others are not comfortable with a traditional religious funeral ceremony. Consequently, the need for humanistic service conducted by a Funeral Celebrant has become more apparent.

The Funeral Celebrant practice is used widely in England, New Zealand and Australia, where the celebrants perform over 50% of the funerals. After touring these countries and recognizing the value of the Funeral Celebrant's role, Mr. Manning developed the Certified Funeral Celebrant Program in the United States. To date, more than 200 Celebrants have been certified.

O'Connor, a Bereavement Educator, who is a licensed funeral director, has a Masters Degree in Adult Education from National Louis University. She currently works at Worsham College of Mortuary Science educating prospective funeral directors on communication and counseling techniques and presents lectures on a variety of funeral related topics for  consumer groups.

The Funeral Celebrant services can be obtained by request in any funeral home the family chooses to use. The cost of these services is comparable to the stipend for clergy. For more information about this service contact O'Connor at 847-686-9184.






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Marguerite A. O'Connor PC, CSA
Glenview IL 60025
Phone: 847-686-9184

e-mail: educator@margueriteoconnor.com











Updated 6/12/03