Ceremonies That Honour the People in Them.
I am Jesse D. Free, C.D., a funeral and life celebrant and a registered Ontario marriage officiant serving Waterloo Region and surrounding communities. Whether you are saying goodbye or saying vows, I will help you shape a ceremony that sounds like the people at its centre.
Need a celebrant right away? Please call me.
If your family has just lost someone and a service is coming together quickly, or a funeral home needs a celebrant on short notice, do not wait on an email. Call me directly.
If I cannot answer, it is safe to leave a voicemail. Please leave your name, your number, and a few words about what you need. Voicemails are always returned the same day, usually within two hours.
Two kinds of ceremony. One standard of care.
Funeral & Life Celebrant
A funeral or celebration of life should tell the story of the person who has died, in a way their family recognises. I meet with the family, gather the stories, write the tribute, and lead the service, working alongside your Funeral Director so that nothing falls through the cracks.
What a service includesWedding Officiant
A ceremony that is legal, warm, and unhurried. As a registered Ontario marriage officiant (No. 77006), I perform ceremonies that range from a simple legal marriage to a fully personalised celebration with your own words, readings, and traditions.
Wedding ceremoniesA service that tells their story.
Every family comes to this differently. Some want tradition, some want no religion at all, and many want something in between. I will meet you where you are and build a service around what mattered to the person you are remembering.
Family Conversation
An unhurried meeting, in person, by phone, or by video, to hear the stories, the humour, and the things that should not be left out.
Tribute & Eulogy
A carefully written tribute drawn from your family's own words, reviewed with you before the service so you are comfortable with every line.
Any Setting
Funeral home chapel, graveside, community hall, or a place that meant something to them. Indoors or out.
Faith or No Faith
Religious, spiritual, or entirely non-religious. Readings, music, and rituals are chosen by the family, never imposed.
Working With Your Funeral Director
I coordinate timing and details with the funeral home and with other speakers, so the family can focus on each other.
Ceremonial Experience
For over twenty years, I have coordinated, led, and participated in military, police, and first responder ceremonies, so I am comfortable adding and explaining protocol, flags, honours, and formal elements when a family wants them.
Calm and clear when it matters most.
I retired from the Canadian Armed Forces in 2022 as a Captain after twenty years of service leading youth and young adults, and I remain an active volunteer firefighter with a local township. I have spent much of my life leading ceremonies, standing beside people on difficult days, and speaking plainly and kindly when others need steadiness.
That is what I bring to a ceremony: preparation, respect, and a voice your guests can follow.
- Registered Ontario Marriage Officiant, No. 77006
- Twenty years of service, Canadian Armed Forces
- Volunteer firefighter
- Former Crisis Responder Lead, Victim Services of Waterloo Region
- Parade Commander, Royal Canadian Legion
Legal, personal, and never rushed.
From a quiet courthouse-style marriage in your living room to a full ceremony with family and friends gathered around, I will help you shape the words and then deliver them with confidence. Wedding ceremonies can be arranged through All Seasons Weddings. Send me your date and location, and I will let you know about availability.
Four simple steps.
Get in Touch
Tell me the date, the place, and what you have in mind. There is no obligation to proceed.
Talk It Through
We meet to talk about the people at the centre of the ceremony and the tone you want.
Review the Draft
I write the ceremony and send it for your feedback. We adjust until it feels right.
The Ceremony
I arrive early, coordinate the details, and lead the ceremony so you can be present.
For Funeral Directors
Looking for a dependable celebrant for families who do not have a clergy contact? I would welcome a conversation about working together.
Good to know.
What is a Funeral Celebrant?
A celebrant is a trained speaker who plans and leads a funeral or celebration of life. Unlike clergy, a celebrant is not tied to one tradition, so the service can be religious, spiritual, or entirely secular, whatever suits the family and the person being remembered.
Do you only work with non-religious families?
No. I will include prayers, scripture, or other traditions when the family wants them. The service is shaped by you.
Can you conduct a service at a funeral home, graveside, or another venue?
Yes. I can lead services at funeral homes, chapels, cemeteries, community halls, private homes, and outdoor locations throughout Waterloo Region and surrounding communities. Travel further afield can be arranged.
Are you legally able to perform marriages in Ontario?
Yes. I am a registered Ontario marriage officiant (No. 77006). You will still need a marriage licence from an Ontario municipality, and I will walk you through what is required on the day.
How far in advance should I contact you?
For weddings, as early as you have a date. For funerals, I understand that timing is rarely in your control. If you need someone urgently, call 519-496-4239. If I cannot answer, leave a voicemail and I will return it the same day, usually within two hours.
Tell me about the ceremony you have in mind.
Whether you are planning ahead, supporting a family, or finalising wedding details, the first conversation is simple and carries no obligation.
jesse.free@foxninergroup.com | Serving Waterloo Region, Ontario and surrounding communities
Jesse D. Free, C.D. ◆ Fox Niner Group ◆ Waterloo Region, Ontario