Please review the information provided in the following sections. If you have any questions or would like for me to perform a service, please contact me at the telephone number provided. Alternatively, if you are working directly with a funeral home and have decided that you would like for me to perform the service, you may have the Funeral Director contact me.

(Officiants are not supported by any religious or other organizations. We are independent professionals.)

Types of Berevement Services

Life is full of sacred moments. In our fast-paced lives, we often miss them, and usually at a time when we most need to find meaning. During a loss, family and friends may have difficulty creating a meaningful way to say goodbye and honor their loved one's death. Yet families commonly encounter a deeper healing when they are engaged in the funeral experience.

Funerals are for the living, it provides an opportunity for survivors of a deceased loved one or friend to reflect and remember. Grief is a natural process of life and in order for us as a society to do so, we must first select a method which is the most important to us. The selections listed below might give you a starting point to select a bereavement service that best suits you. It is through the funeral service itself that the bereaved take that all important first step toward emotional adjustment to their loss.

Grief is a journey. And a ceremony that celebrates the life of your loved one is a valuable opportunity to begin the healing process for grieving family and friends.

Personalized Memorial Services

Memorial services usually, but not always, take place after the disposition of remains, which in either case is not present for the service, thus the name "memorial" which simply means remembering. These memorial services often take place following cremation and, with the exception of a casket and remains being present, are for the most part identical in content to traditional funeral services.

Celebration of Life Services

A newer term used for the Memorial Service is a Celebration of Life service. A life celebration is a service that honors and reflects the character, personality, and history of a life well lived. Planning a Celebration of Life ceremony takes a bit of time, yet it can a wonderful way of expressing one's love and affection in a meaningful commemorative ceremony

Funeral/Graveside Services

Traditional funeral services typically include one or more visitations/viewings, a funeral ceremony with an open or closed casket, and a procession to the cemetery where additional ceremonies may take place.

A graveside service may be conducted at the side of the grave, tomb or mausoleum, at which the body or cremated remains of the decedent is buried at the conclusion.

Living Funeral Services

A living funeral is a gathering centered around someone who will soon die; a way to pay tribute to a loved one, and allow them to pass in peace with the knowledge of the feelings and thoughts of others being presented to them in a reception style gathering.

The Officiant Service, The Value and The Fees

All Faiths & Traditions Honored

Whether you are religious, spiritual or secular, I will work with you to create a beautiful and meaningful memorial, life tribute, graveside service or funeral.

Using the Services of an Officiant

As an officiant, I offer a ceremonial alternative for those who would prefer not to have a traditional service. To begin our process of working together, I set up a meeting with immediate family and/or friends. From there, I work to create and deliver a meaningful ceremony designed to joyfully celebrate and remember the spirit, character and story of your loved one who has passed away. During our meeting time, I learn the unique stories, songs, pictures and experiences that define your loved one. These memories allow me to co-create with you a “Celebration of Life” – whether at a funeral home, private home, graveside or venue of your choice.

The task of creating and organizing an end-of-life ceremony is often challenging for immediate family and friends. As an officiant, I listen to your stories and work with you in organizing your service. Religious? Non-Religious? Readings? Scripture? Life Stories? Music? DVD Presentation? Candle lighting? Memory Folder? In this way, I can create a smooth-flowing, beautifully crafted tribute for your loved one.

Services often include a thorough planning meeting at a location of your choice, a custom written ceremony that often includes comforting rituals, taking over as “planner” on the day of your ceremony so you and your family are taken care of, officiating your end-of-life ceremony, and more.

In so many ways, an end-of-life ceremony is an act of love. It is a beautiful way to say “thank you” to someone for having shared their life with us in a format that is deeply moving and meaningful. Working with an officiant offers you a religious or spiritual alternative – especially for those who are not affiliated with a church or who would prefer not to have a traditional funeral service.

In all that I do, you have my personal assurance that I will co-create and deliver a beautiful and memorable end-of-life ceremony with warmth, dignity, reverence and compassion. It is my privilege and honor to work with you to create a personalized memorial, celebration or life or funeral that is a healing and comforting process.

Preplanning Memorial Or Funeral Services

Give your loved ones the gift of love by preplanning your memorial or funeral service. Although most people are not comfortable focusing on what will happen at the end of life, preplanning your funeral or memorial service can be as important as preparing for any other important event in life.

Preplanning your own memorial or funeral service will relieve your family of worry and confusion. By taking the time in advance to preplan, you will ensure that you get the kind of service you want and provide tremendous relief for your loved ones during a period of great stress and grief. Family and friends will want to honor you, but they may not know what you would want or may not agree on what’s best. The grief and stress of loss can make decisions even more challenging when they are planning your service. Although most people are not comfortable focusing on what will happen at the end of life, documenting your own wishes and providing information for your loved ones can be as simple as a handwritten letter left to share your wishes.

Ceremonies

Ceremonies can be non-denominational, interfaith or civil, simple or elaborate, traditional or non-traditional, and may include ash-scattering, stories, anecdotes, music, readings, poems and songs. They may be held inside of a home, a church, a chapel, a funeral home, a hall, or they may be held outside at the graveside, or a favorite location such as a garden, in the desert, or at the beach. Each ceremony is filled with grace, dignity, depth, reverence, compassion, and with creativity, lightness and humor when needed.

Sample Structure of the Ceremony

The ceremonial structure can be guided by these elements. It can be expanded on or condensed to suit the wishes of your relative.

• Prelude Music
• Welcome
• Poetry or Reading or Music
• Eulogy
• Family Readers
• Poetry or Reading or Music
• Blessing or Silence or Prayer
• Announcement
• Post Ceremonial Music

The following are sample elements of a funeral/bereavement service:

• Religious or Secular Ceremony: religious or non religious service; spiritual, but not religious; a mix of religious and spiritual; or, civil service with no mention of a higher power.
• Rituals: candle lighting; ringing of bells or chimes; floral offerings; or, sharing of wine/bread/food.
• Narrations: eulogy; poetry; scriptures; stories; or, prayers.
• Visual: DVD rresentation; pictures; or, Memory Book.

Preparing a Eulogy

A typical eulogy is about 5 to 10 minutes in length. It is recommended to leave the emotional elements for the end of the eulogy. Any additional tributes given by family or friends should be limited in length to keep the service from going too long. Young children and family members may want to write down a few sentences to be read aloud by Reverend Bennett or the person giving the eulogy.

Whether or not you are giving the eulogy, it is helpful to have certain facts and information available. Here is a sample eulogy outline to aid you in preparing the necessary information.

Sample Outline of a Eulogy

The following are suggestions for inclusion in a eulogy:

• Give a brief history including birth date, place of birth, parents, grandparents, siblings.
• Where did they grow up? What was their childhood like?
• Where did they go to school?
• Professional and career accomplishments?
• Who did they marry? When and where? Children and grandchildren.
• How long were they married?
• Significant life accomplishments.
• Personal interests, hobbies, achievements.
• Character qualities, Christian service, and how they affected other lives.

Length of Service

The entire length of the service often depends on the number of guests. Time should be allowed either before or after the service to greet your guests and give them a moment to say their good byes to the deceased. It is recommended to keep the actual service length anywhere between 30-60 minutes.

My Life Philosophy

My life philosophy is spiritual in nature with love and kindness at its center. As a non-denominational minister, I honor and respect all beliefs and traditions, whether religious, spiritual or secular. I do not use a ceremony as a platform to promote my personal beliefs but to assist you in celebrating yours. Honesty, integrity and fairness are a part of my life in everything that I do. I was raised Christian and appreciate the tenets and rituals of all of the world's religions and faiths.

Fees and Services

Officiant fees vary for each ceremony as each ceremony is unique and fees are quoted on an individual basis. My fees are structured to support the time dedicated to writing and designing your individualized ceremony, while also working within your budget. Factors include date, location, travel, and my time to write and officiate your ceremony.

Full payment is required upon our first meeting to reserve my time for your chosen date.

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Thank you for the opportunity to be considered as the officiant for your personalized memorial, life tribute or funeral.

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I would be honored to talk with you about co-creating, designing and officiating your ceremony. For date availability and an estimate of fees, please contact me by telephone or email. As I fully recognize time is often an issue, please feel free to call me anytime, day or night, at 321-480-9115; or, send an email.

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