What is the difference between a ceremony and a service?

Nothing.  When talking about weddings, people usually refer to them as ceremonies, and when talking about final goodbyes, people typically refer to them as services.

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What are the different types of Final Goodbye services?

Funeral Service

A Funeral is a formal service held within a week of the death and has three components; the Viewing, the Funeral Service, and the Committal Service.  The Viewing is when mourners come to pay their respects to the deceased, this can be an open or a closed casket in repose at a funeral home or parlor. The Funeral Service is often in the same place as the viewing with the services led by in-house Clergy or Funeral Director.  A typical order of service will include Hymns (either sung by an individual or the mourners gathered, Invocations, Bible Recitations, Scripture Readings, and Prayers.  The Committal is a graveside service after the Funeral Service, and the deceased's remains get transported to the cemetery in a slow, respectful, formal funeral procession.  The Committal service will often include readings and prayers, ending with dirt or flowers tossed onto the casket as it gets lowered into the ground for its final disposition.  

Memorial Service

A Memorial is a service that often takes place weeks after the death and disposition of remains occurred.  It is a service to memorialize the life of the deceased.  When the departed loved one chooses cremation, often a memorial service is conducted to inter or scatter their remains, at the same time as the celebration of the deceased’s life.  A memorial service can also be a private funeral service, held after a large Funeral Service.  Sometimes the family will arrange a private family funeral service, and then hold a memorial service at a later date when family or friends who could not attend the funeral can gather.  A memorial service can also be a large public event, especially if the deceased was a public figure or someone with deep roots within the community. It is a way for everyone to come together to pay their last respects.

Celebration of Life Service

A Celebration of Life is a more informal service typically held instead of a memorial service after the deceased individual's burial or cremation although it is becoming more common to host this gathering in place of a traditional funeral.  Commonly, Celebration Of Life ceremonies occur after the individual's physical remains have been cared for through burial or cremation; there is much more time available to plan the event. Moreover, without a doubt, this allows you to make better decisions about how you'd like to celebrate the life of someone you dearly loved.

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How long have you been performing services?

We have been in business since 2011.  Some of our officiants are more experienced than others, but all are dedicated professionals.

 

Where do you perform services?

We are a mobile ceremony ministry and travel to your location of choice, whether it is graveside, a local venue, or your home.  Our service area is always growing as we add more fabulous officiants to our team. Currently, we serve Southern Idaho and parts of Eastern Oregon.

 

Which church are you ordained through, and where is it located?

All of our officiants are non-denominational ministers ordained through the Universal Life Church based in Seattle, WA. We do not have a "brick and mortar" church, we are strictly a mobile ministry.

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How long is a typical service?

The narration portion of the service is typically 15 minutes; additional components like readings or music will add length to the service.

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How much time will you allocate for our service?

It depends on the type of ceremony.  

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Can we personalize our service?

Absolutely!

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We don’t want to mention God, religion, or anything spiritual in the service. Is that okay?

Of Course.  It is your time to say good-bye, and it should reflect your beliefs and the beliefs of your loved one.

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How do we book you?

During your consultation, your officiant will gather the information that will allow them to create a Quote and Service Agreement -accepting the Quote and Service Agreement books your officiant.  Please notify your officiant right away if you decide not to use Arbor Vine for your celebration so that we can cancel it and make your officiant available for others.

 

How much do you charge?

Our rates depend on the type and location of the event but typically start at $200 for the Boise-Meridian area.  

 

Do you charge separate travel fees?

The final price for ceremonies more than 30 miles from Boise will factor in travel distance and time.  Also, note that if you have selected a venue that does not offer free parking, you are responsible for either validating or paying for your officiant’s parking.

 

What if we have to change the start time or service date?

While we try to be as flexible as possible in accommodating changes, we cannot guarantee our availability for a date or time change. Please let us know as soon as possible if you plan to change your date or time so we can try to find a solution for you.

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I know we tip other vendors, but what about the officiant?

Honorariums are never expected but are always appreciated.

 

What if I have another question you haven’t answered here?

That’s an easy one! Email us using the contact us form, and we will be happy to answer any question you may have. We look forward to hearing from you!