Secular Ceremony Services

This is a big question with a long answer, so bear with me.

If a person or family is strongly religious, they most likely attend a church, synagogue, or other place of worship. These people will most likely have a minister, priest, rabbi, or other official who is available to officiate at services such as weddings and funerals. They don't need me or my services. They most likely would not ask for me. There are also people who are not church goers, yet are religious. They often turn to the above people to perform these ceremonies and, usually, are accommodated.

Secular means "without religion." Non-Denominational means without a "specific" religion
There exists a large group of people who are without religious faith, or who have a faith that does not fall in line with the major religious organizations available to them. Often, they cannot find someone to perform their wedding. I can help them. Some people are non-religious, yet spiritual, and others still are non-believers. For these people, a religious ceremony could be contrary to their belief system. Yet, they want more than a court-room setting for their wedding. This same thought process applies when people have to arrange a funeral for a loved one. They want a meaningful service for their departed loved one, but without heavy religious overtones. I am here to help these people most of all. I can deliver a meaningful moment without reference to religion; without, as some put it, "Ramming Jesus down their throats." By consulting with them, I can create a service that speaks to the thoughts that they have, and share their beliefs with those gathered.

These are the very people that I want to help. I respect them and their belief systems. They have a right to believe whatever they want. I have no interest in changing them or what they believe.
"You do not need to agree to accept and respect."
I believe in these words. I can help create wonderful, meaningful moments in the lives of the non-religious families. I grew up in an atheist/agnostic/multi-denominational family. We had many different ways of looking at religion. We all did, however, learn how to live side by side and we all loved and respected each other; we still do.

This is how I make a living. I offer a service to my community, and doing this takes time and effort. I have a family to support and a mortgage to pay just like everyone else in this world. I have tried to keep my fees realistic and affordable, so that I can help as many people as possible.

I have attempted to standardize my fee structure for ease of understanding. Instead of pricing each ceremony on an individual basis, making it hard to figure out your cost, I have averaged out some basic prices. There may be the occasional instance where an additional charge will need to be discussed; for example, excessive travel.

Weddings: All wedding ceremonies are $275 regardless of complexity or simplicity. This charge includes all consultation prior to the ceremony. I live and work in the Metropolitian Detroit area. If it is necessary to drive over fifty miles one way to your ceremony and/or rehearsal an additional amount added to the fee is requested. This amount is as you see fit to assist in the cost of gas.

Commitment: Similar to the wedding charge, except the initial charge is $225, which includes all consultations.

Funerals: A funeral service ceremony is $200, which includes all consultations and visitations leading up to the service. A memorial service is the same as a funeral service. It involves the same amount of time and effort. The fee for funerals will be included in your funeral home bill, and is not an additional charge paid to me. The funeral director will pay me. You must, however, tell the funeral director that you wish me to perform the service.

Guidance: I am a minister. That means that I am at your service, to minister to your needs. My advice is always free.

I am Senior Pastor for Peace Garden Universal Life Church located in Wayne County, Michigan. We are an on-line wisdom sharing collection of ministers ordained through the Universal Life Church out of Modesto, CA.

Current contributers to the site are myself Rev. Kirk Haas, Rev. Linda Pratt, Rev. Sharon Kiebzak-pio and Rev. David Staskowski.

You are welcome to visit our web-church at:

www.PeaceGardenULC.org

If for any reason I am unable to perform your ceremony the ministers listed above will be offered to you as an alternative. Only in moments of emergency will another minister step in without your permission. Otherwise you will be notified as to how to contact them.