Service Options as Unique as You

Having a personalized and meaningful service to honor your loved one allows friends and family to pay tribute to the life of the deceased and say a final goodbye. Whether you choose burial or cremation, you can have a healing and meaningful ceremony that gives you and your loved ones the opportunity to express your feelings and support each other as you begin the grief journey.


Whether you choose to have a traditional funeral, a celebration of life, or a memorial service, we can help you create a personalized service that reflects the amazing life of your loved one.

What’s the Difference Between a Traditional Funeral, a Celebration of Life, and a Memorial Service?

Traditional Funeral Service

A more formal, structured service that takes place before burial or cremation.

  • The body is typically present
  • Often occurs soon after the death
  • Usually involves a visitation, a funeral service, and a committal service

Celebration of Life

A less traditional service option that is often chosen by those who are not particularly religious.

  • The body may or may not be present
  • More flexible and customizable organization of the service

Memorial Service

A service that takes place after burial or cremation.

  • The body is not present, though an urn or photos of the deceased may be prominently displayed
  • Can happen at any time, even years later
  • May be formal or informal

Not Sure Which Service Type to Choose?

We want to make sure you understand all your options and can make the right decision for your family.

While the decision is ultimately yours, we can help you explore your options.

Gathering

Venue Options:

  • Our chapel
  • Church
  • Outdoor venue
  • Graveside
  • etc.

Processional

Vehicle Options:

  • Utility/Service Vehicle
  • Funeral Coach/Hearse
  • Limousine

Personalize

Healing Elements:

  • Music
  • Readings
  • Artwork
  • Etc. 
View All

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How much will a service cost?

    Services are customizable, which means the price will differ from family to family. Some families want a simple service or gathering, while others want an elaborate traditional service. When you meet with a funeral director to explore your service options, you’ll receive a breakdown of prices from our General Price List, which documents the prices of our services and the costs of additional products or services, like memorial options, caskets, etc.

  • What extra fees or charges will I need to pay?

    Some outside fees you may need to pay:

    • Outside vendor fees (flowers, catering, etc.) 
    • Clergy or musicians' fees
    • Newspaper obituary printing fee
    • Facility rental 

    Some of these fees will be paid directly to vendors. Others will need to be paid for at the arrangement conference. If you have questions about payment, please check with your funeral director. 

  • What's involved in planning a service?

    To begin with, you’ll need to choose what type of service (traditional funeral, celebration of life, or memorial service) and the service’s location, date, and time. 


    To create a personalized service, you’ll need to select readings, music, food and beverages, preferred activities, and the people who will be involved in the service. This is your chance to honor your loved one’s life and express how much they meant to you. 

  • How much will I have to be involved in planning the service?

    As much or as little as you like! Your funeral director will need specific details from you, such as the location, date, and time. Then, you and the funeral director will make decisions about other details. However, once the basic decisions are made, you can either ask us to manage everything or you can actively engage in the planning as much as you desire.

  • What is a celebrant? How can he or she help at the service?

    A celebrant is an individual who is licensed and trained to officiate formal ceremonies like weddings, baptisms, and funerals. They serve as an officiant option for those who are not religious or who are not close to a specific clergy member. 


    The celebrant will collaborate with the bereaved family to design a ceremony that fits with their beliefs, values, and wishes. If you’re interested in learning more about using a celebrant, please contact your funeral director. 

Why is it important to have a meaningful, healing, and personalized funeral service?

Meaningful - When something has meaning, it has deeper purpose, deeper poignancy. By intentionally creating a meaningful service, you allow mourners - family, friends, neighbors - to say goodbye in a way that will help them heal and bring peace and comfort for years to come. 


Healing - After the death of someone loved, you will experience feelings of grief. These emotions look different from person to person (sadness, anger, guilt, regret, shock, disbelief), but a meaningful service can help bring healing and comfort to a hurting heart.


Personalized - Above all, it’s essential to personalize a funeral service. Without personalization, you cannot create meaning or facilitate healing. Without personalization, you get a cookie-cutter experience instead of a one-of-a-kind final tribute.

Together, all three - meaningful, healing, and personalized - come together to create a truly unique funeral experience that will heal hurts, touch hearts, and help you say goodbye to a truly special and irreplaceable person.