A former St. Joseph pastor is using his personal experience with death to help others, but with a new twist.

In June, David Mejia says he became Missouri’s first “celebrant.” The position is a relatively new concept for a new type of funeral ceremony, called a celebration of life. The event is common in other countries like Canada and are becoming common in larger cities on the East and West coasts.

The idea behind the ceremony, either religious or secular, focuses on the life of the deceased. A celebration of life has the similar trappings of a funeral, but takes a lighter, more celebratory tone. It’s Mr. Mejia’s job to lead this ceremony.

“I understand how it hurts,” Mr. Mejia said.

Mr. Mejia lost his wife, Gwynnie Mejia, to cancer in February, near her birthday. He and his children spoke to family and friends with humorous stories as well as a birthday cake.

“It allowed me to learn and see that other people are doing that,” Mr. Mejia said of the upbeat service. “It’s really not the end but it’s where do we go from here.”

As a celebrant and apprentice funeral director at Meierhoffer Funeral Home & Crematory, Mr. Mejia helps families prepare a variety of arrangements.

“A lot of people are getting away from traditional funerals,” he said. “They are celebrating someone’s life and that becomes important to begin the grieving process.”

Mr. Mejia said the ceremony can be good for those who don’t identify with a particular religion. He performed about 75 funerals last year.

After spending time with the deceased’s family and friends, he often uses storytelling and props in the service, such as a bright orange hunting vest for an outdoorsman or team paraphernalia for the sports fan.

“They still want to celebrate,” he said. “There’s enough tears. If we have to laugh, we have to laugh.”

Mr. Mejia attended classes in Columbus, Ohio, to become a celebrant. The course is taught by a father and daughter team from Oklahoma.

“It’s kind of untouched here,” he said of the laid-back Midwest. “It’s a change in the way you do funeral services. A positive change.”

Jennifer Hall can be reached at jennhall@npgco.com.