Certified Celebrants
Our certified celebrants help create and present a funeral, memorial, or celebration of life that is unique and personalized. Many families today do not belong to a church or have a minister. Many of these families choose to have a celebration of life service instead of or alongside a traditional sermon. Our celebrants are trained to provide this important service. Our celebrants honor the wishes of the family to deliver either a religious or non-religious service. Families can design a memorial tribute just the way they want.
Jim Parton
Certified Celebrant
AfterCare Specialist
As a Certified Celebrant, Jim Parton meets with families to plan very personalized services, incorporating stories shared by the family, favorite readings or poems, meaningful thoughts and music to create a one of a kind experience.
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Jim’s peaceful demeanor immediately puts families at ease, and his creative skills bring fresh ideas to each of the services he prepares. Jim has a Bachelors degree in Agricultural Science, and holds a California Lifetime Teaching Credential. He has completed several floral certifications, and became a Certified Celebrant through the Insight Institute in 2013. Jim stays involved in the community by supporting local events, political causes and charity events. He is married to his longtime partner and friend, Richard Smith. They have three grown children who live on the West Coast. They love gardening, traveling and exploring Iowa’s beautiful nature and spending time with their dogs and cats at their restored Victorian home.
Jim Coyle
Certified Celebrant
GriefCare and Community Outreach Specialist
Jim’s ability to connect with grieving families and speak from the heart are keys to why families love him both as a Certified Celebrant and in his role of GriefCare specialist.
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As a GriefCare Specialist for Cedar Memorial, Jim focuses on traumatic intervention, staff training and development, and community awareness. Jim has over 30 years of experience walking beside those who have experienced a traumatic loss at the international, national, state, and local level. He and his wife, Lisa are the parents of five children, and Jim enjoys spending as much time as possible them and their two dogs.