My Story: Why I Became a Celebrant

Since I was a little girl, I’ve had the ability to listen deeply and use all my senses to be present with others. I was blessed with the gift to connect with people in ways that make it easy for them to tell their stories and share their feelings, whatever these may be. As a palliative care volunteer, learning to be with death gave me the opportunity to see how rich our lives really are.

In my early 40’s I was buffeted by the collision of significant life transitions within just three short years. My marriage, the suicide of my closest friend, a family member’s addiction and recovery, job change, back to school, renovations, major surgery, and the deaths of both my beloved cats at 19 and 17 years old… It was a raw but defining period of my life. I clearly saw what a poor job our society does of teaching us how to mark our rites of passage, not to mention how to embrace and absorb these changes. As a lay Buddhist Chaplain, I definitely had meaningful rituals to hold me up but they weren’t enough.  What was missing for me was the personal narrative. So I got all fired up about learning to weave personal narrative with meaningful traditions and rites… to bring storytelling back into our ceremonies.

I left a successful career and went back to school to become an interfaith Celebrant. In 2007, I became the first full-time Celebrant in Vancouver, BC. I am inspired to serve people of all faiths and cultural background, religious, spiritual, or not at all, to discover the rich currents of life through ceremony.

Modern Celebrant: Today

I’ve built a thriving  practice and get to work with some pretty amazing individuals, couples, and families. I serve in times of joy and in times of sorrow.  Having had my own personal experiences with loss and grief, I can be with grieving families in a way that is fully present.  I teach people how to mourn, how to honour, and how to celebrate.  I also speak to groups, counselors, and entrepreneurs about personal narrative and the power of storytelling, and of course about how to integrate vibrant heartfelt ritual and ceremony into the events of our lives.

Modern Celebrant exists because people yearn for meaning.  It is my greatest pleasure to help you manifest the meaning you yearn for in your life!

I would love to talk with you about Honouring the ‘Big Moments’ of your life with attention, love, and reflection. A phone call is a great way to start. Call me at 604-992-4217.

Michele Davidson,
Professional Celebrant & Wedding Officiant
Vancouver & Whistler BC