The Importance of Secular Ceremonies
We know all too well how annoying it can be to sit through a funeral that’s more a sermon than a celebration of life, or a wedding that tries to fit God into a relationship like an awkward 3rd wheel. That’s why it’s important for people to have secular options for celebrating their life’s milestones.
Secular Officiants
Below is a list of officiants who are trained and certified in our community to perform all sorts of ceremonies from weddings and funerals to baby welcomings and graduations – all from a secular standpoint.
You can expect them to get to know you and whomever you’re having a ceremony with in order to tailor the ceremony to your liking.
Austin Edwards
Rochester Hills, Michigan
Secular Celebrant
Austin@SundayAssemblyDetroit.org
248-843-1057
As someone who is involved in building secular communities in Southeast Michigan, Austin understands the significance of being able to recognize important moments in life through ritual or ceremony without involving the supernatural.
Austin can work with you to craft purposeful and tailored marriage ceremonies, commitment ceremonies, baby naming or welcoming ceremonies, funerals, and other life events which you would like to recognize.
Janis Levin-Gorelick
Janis Levin-Gorelick, is a non-denominational and Humanist officiant who specializes in Custom Ceremonies that strives to reflect the two of you, the values you share and your hopes for the future.
Janis has been involved with Humanism and Humanistic Judaism for 47 years. In 1987 she graduated from the 1st graduating class of the Humanist Institute in New York and became certified as a Humanistic Celebrant. As a licensed social worker and a certified Humanist Celebrant/Minister, Janis offers an array of services including pre-marital counseling, weddings, vow renewals, civil unions, baby-namings, memorials and more.
Traditional religious ceremonies are constrained by ritual. This includes the order of service, the words that are said, and frequently the use of a different language. Once we leave ritual behind, it allows us to be creative. Therefore, Creative Ceremonies aims to coordinate an experience that is meaningful to each client, focusing on the finer details to deliver an unforgettable experience. Together, we weave a service that includes the special elements you choose, thereby creating a beautiful ceremony that is deeply personal and written just for You!
Waterford, Michigan
Secular Ceremonies
jgorelick@secularceremonies.net
248-686-2031
Steve Ghikadis
Windsor/Essex County, Ontario, Canada
Humanist Canada Officiant
Steve@SundayAssemblyDetroit.org
519-300-4081
Steve is our token Canadian board member and he is a trained Humanist Officiant through Humanist Canada. For our Canadian members, Steve is your go-to.
As a Humanist Canada Officiant, his goal is to work with you, to ensure your ceremony is exactly as you envision it. He wants to find the perfect way to celebrate your big day, mark a special occasion or honour a loved one that is no longer here. His area of coverage spans the whole of Windsor/Essex County, Canada.
He’d love to get to know you and discover the finer details that will make your celebration unique and original!
Trevor Macklem
Trevor has been an officiant for over a decade and was even the officiant for our very own Joe Bochinski! He’s charismatic and will make your ceremony really come to life!
Detroit Area, Michigan
ULC Officiant
LinkedIn
586-864-7008
Detroit 