Exceptional Services, Transparent Pricing
All package prices are available on my website — no need to call first just to find out what things cost.
Your loved one’s life was one of a kind. Their farewell ceremony should be too.
I am a certified Life-Cycle Celebrant® and professional video editor — and I bring my years of experience and in-depth training to every family I serve. For my Simple Officiant Services, I bring added attention and care to the details that matter, even on quite short notice — but my writing-intensive packages, where I write the fully detailed eulogy myself, require at least six days’ notice to do properly, and often more is even better for families to not feel rushed during the interview or review & revision stages of the process.
The videos I create are artistically edited with thoughtful pacing, effects, and transitions to enhance the viewer experience.
I write eulogies that are so deeply researched, weaving together a varied life story smoothly using a poetic or philosophical theme, and then professionally deliver the ceremony that has been built entirely around who your loved one was: their personality, their stories, the specific way they made people feel.
No matter what they hired me for, my clients consistently tell me the ceremony exceeded what they thought was possible. That is what I aim for, every time.
Pricing & Payment: A deposit of one-third is due at booking. The remaining balance is due one week after the service. If you need more time, interest-free monthly payment plans are available — just mention it when you reach out.
Estates Covering the Costs: When someone dies, funeral expenses are generally considered a top-priority claim against the deceased’s estate, meaning the estate can pay, or later reimburse, some or all of the funeral costs before paying other claims. In Maryland and Washington D.C., personal representatives may pay or be reimbursed up to $15,000 in funeral costs without prior court approval. Virginia estates typically only cover up to $5,000. There are time deadlines, and often language about “reasonable” funeral expenses, and I am not a lawyer. I am simply letting you know that even if you pay for me as your officiant before anything relating to the money in the estate has started to be dealt with, you may be able to seek reimbursement. I’d encourage you to speak with an estate attorney for details specific to your situation.
As the Funeral Celebrant, I will:
- Interview the honoree’s closest family members and friends.
- Write a comprehensive eulogy that authentically captures your loved one’s personality
- Select readings, music, rituals, and symbolism which are linked to specific memories.
- Officiate a comforting ceremony that celebrates the life that was lived.
I begin with a family interview to get to know your loved one and who they were as a person, and then I am able to use what I learned during the interview to shape the entire ceremony.
The eulogies I’ve been trained to write are not dry biographies. These “soul sketch” style eulogies are focused on anecdotes which illustrate who this person was and how they lived. I weave together multiple stories from the honoree’s life with a literary or philosophical theme to make it flow and sound cohesive.
My Celebration of Life events include:
- a personalized “soul sketch” style eulogy
- remarks from friends and family
- poetry and prose readings
- secular rituals
- optionally: a burial or disposition of ashes ceremony
- a memorial slideshow, if desired
I do the organizing and executing of the ceremony, which is typically one hour in length for a full length Celebration of Life event. I also direct others who wish to speak so they know when it is their time to come to the microphone. The ceremony will be infused with creative, meaningful personalization throughout. Your loved one deserves a farewell ceremony that captures what you loved about them. My utmost priority is to properly pay tribute to this person’s life.
I provide a keepsake printed copy of the entire ceremony script, and if you need my video editing services I also provide the memorial slideshow, which your entire family, including future generations, can cherish and look back on over future years.
Often, you will end up with the powerful gift of new memories of your loved one thanks to other friends and family members sharing stories about the honoree that you had not heard before.
I also offer an optional burial or disposition of ashes ceremony, which may occur either the same day as your memorial gathering or at a later date. These additional brief ceremonies provide much needed comfort during the deeply emotional final goodbye to their physical remains.
There is so much that is powerful, comforting, healing, and hopeful about the Celebration of Life events that I have the privilege of designing. I’ve been trained in writing a satisfying emotional arc that gives mourners a sense of solace. You will leave feeling some sense of closure and feeling more equipped to move forward after this loss.
My Memorial Slideshow process:
- You provide me (physical and/or digital) photographs of your loved one, as well as any captions you would like to see included.
- You select the licensed music from a list of choices I provide.
- I create the entire slideshow using video editing software and carefully selected visual effects, transitions, and text.
- I email the slideshow download link to you.
- You provide feedback if you have any requested changes before the slideshow is finalized for the funeral.
When a family member edits a memorial slideshow on their own, it can often be a longer and more difficult process than the person expects it to be. You are experiencing the fresh and raw grief of losing someone you love, and then handling each and every photograph you can find of this beloved person. Each photograph hits you with the painful impact of each new memory or realization about their life story. It’s hard enough to look at the photos just enough to hand them off to a professional video editor like myself, and many people underestimate how time-consuming it will be when they decide to do the entire slideshow themselves. I know when I experienced a death in my family, my former workplace’s allotted bereavement leave was not enough time off for me to handle all the other logistics and make the slideshow.
There are also definite technical skills and expertise required to put together a memorial slideshow, especially if you were to choose to use a professional video editing software program like the one with which I edit all of my life tribute videos for clients. These are days when you’re emotionally overwhelmed with the new loss of someone dear to you. This is not the best time to be trying to learn (or re-learn) how to use video editing software programs. (Please click here to check out my portfolio for some past examples of slideshows I’ve edited using professional video editing software.)
I have an easy system set up through my website so that you can provide (upload) any digital photos, videos, or audio directly to me. This system also makes it possible for multiple family members and friends to all have the chance to upload the photographs in their own possession. With an entirely internet-based way to transmit photographs, it is no problem at all to edit slideshow videos for individuals who are not located geographically near me. Feel free to reach out, even if you are not local to Maryland, near DC, where I am located.
I am also happy to scan physical photos for you, if you do happen to live within a couple hours’ drive from my location. After I scan physical photographs, I always provide all the digital files to the client and, of course, return the physical photographs to them. This means that at the end of this process, you’ll have new digital copies of each photograph as image files, in addition to receiving the video slideshow as a video file.
Additionally, I make it seamless for you to share custom caption explanations for some (or all) of the photographs if you desire to, captions which I then incorporate into the final slideshow. It is an optional piece of the slideshow. I acknowledge it is indeed more effort on your part to provide captions, and requires more time looking at the photographs, which is very painful in the early days of grief. But in my opinion, it’s usually worthwhile to have captions explaining the context of what is happening in the photos.
Captions can really elevate a slideshow, as most mourners tend to have questions regarding the names of friends or family standing beside them in particular images, how old the person was, or even the setting where the photograph was taken.
Professional video editing software allows me to:
- add targeted slow zooms
- straighten crooked photos
- add color correction when needed (such as on yellowed old photographs)
- crop off the distracting edges of improperly scanned photos
- incorporate audio or video of the honoree in addition to photographs (if desired)
- adjust the pacing and flow to align with your music choice
- add captions on screen for photographs (if desired)
All of these video editing and effects choices are subtle but important for maximum impact and optimizing the viewing experience. Memorial slideshows tend to be viscerally impactful for all mourners. Many people I’ve talked to have mentioned that the memorial video tends to be one of the most memorable elements at the funerals they attend.
Testimonials
I welcome you to read through these testimonials from satisfied clients to see how my work has been received.
Service Packages Offered
Each package offered below includes a set of often-grouped-together elements, but I will personalize the content to your specific requests.
I will create a custom package just for you if none of the packages you see below are quite what you were seeking.
We can discuss details and determine a plan that works to implement what you’re looking for.
I’ll ensure that your loved one’s ceremony and/or memorial video will be unique and include every element you desire, while omitting any element that is not a part of your vision. I am here to design a thoughtful ceremony and/or memorial video that captures the best of your loved one, so I want to include elements that make it special to you and your family.
Some months, I am already booked with clients when someone new reaches out to me. You will need to check with me for my availability.
I wish I could serve everyone who reaches out. I am happy to be booked well in advance of your event.
Fully Personalized Celebration of Life
*Most Requested*
A one-hour personalized Celebration of Life ceremony officiated by Celebrant Emily Karp at the location of your choice.
This includes in-depth phone and video interviews with the honoree’s family and closest friends, a custom-written ceremony and lengthy, detailed eulogy, one revision, and professional officiating on the day of the service.
Please note that interviews must be completed at least five full calendar days before the ceremony date to allow time for thoughtful writing, client review, and preparation. While five days is the minimum, eight or more days allows for more in-depth storytelling. Depending on availability and timing, some services may require additional lead time.
Most elements are included in this price. Travel beyond approximately one hour each way from my location may incur an additional fee, and other special requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Deluxe Package: Celebration of Life Ceremony with Memorial Tribute Video
A one-hour personalized Celebration of Life ceremony officiated by Celebrant Emily Karp, plus the creation of a memorial tribute slideshow.
This cohesive package includes the writing & officiating of a full, personalized ceremony alongside an expertly edited visual tribute.
Please plan to begin the Deluxe Package process at least two weeks before the ceremony date to allow time for writing, editing, and client review. Interviews with family and closest friends must be completed no later than twelve full calendar days before the ceremony, and all photographs must be delivered to me no later than five full calendar days before the ceremony.
Additional lead time may be required depending on availability as well as to accommodate the inclusion of additional photographs, more total interviewing time, added captions for the slideshow, scanning services, or other add-ons. Contact me to go over timelines, what is included in the base price and what incurs additional fees.
Memorial Tribute Video
A professionally edited memorial slideshow (life tribute video) honoring your loved one through photographs, video or audio clips if available, music, and thoughtful pacing.
My goal is not simply to assemble photographs, but to shape a visual story that feels cohesive, moving, and worthy of the life being honored.
All photographs must be delivered to me (digitally uploaded or physically provided for scanning) at least five full calendar days before the ceremony in order to allow adequate editing time.
I will send a first draft of your slideshow at least 24 hours prior to the event so you may request small adjustments if needed.
Additional lead time may be required for extended length, captions, scanning physical photos, or other custom add-ons.
Due to licensing restrictions, not all songs are available for inclusion in a digital slideshow. I will guide you through available music options.
Writing-Only Ceremony Script
A fully personalized ceremony script, including a detailed, soul-sketch style eulogy, written for a close family member, friend, or clergy member to deliver.
This option is ideal for families who prefer someone they know to speak during the service, or who are working with religious clergy but would still like the full life story thoughtfully and professionally written.
(For families seeking co-officiating alongside clergy, I offer that within my Full Celebration of Life package.)
This package includes in-depth interviews with family and friends, custom writing, and revisions. The final script is crafted to be delivered smoothly and meaningfully by your chosen speaker.
Interviews must be completed at least five full calendar days before the ceremony date. Additional lead time may be required depending on interview depth and availability.
I would be honored to support you and your family during this difficult time. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
Simple Officiant Services
I understand that sometimes families are simply looking for someone to “say a few words” at a podium, graveside, or small gathering — especially when time is short or cost is a consideration. Even if there isn’t time for a fully personalized Celebration of Life ceremony, I still want to be there for you in your time of need.
This package includes professional facilitation of your ceremony, with opening and closing remarks written and spoken by me (Emily Karp, a certified Life-Cycle Celebrant). These remarks are not generic — they are shaped by the circumstances of your loved one’s death and the tone of the gathering. Whether this was a long life well lived, a sudden or tragic loss, or a passing that came after illness and the chance to say goodbye, I thoughtfully frame the ceremony in a way that reflects that reality.
The primary eulogy or obituary content is provided by the family, and I read it aloud with care, steadiness, and professionalism. I also hold space for additional speakers and guide the flow of the service so that the day feels supported and intentional.
Final written materials must be provided at least 36 hours before the ceremony to allow time for preparation and rehearsal.
If you are hoping for a fully personalized ceremony crafted through in-depth interviews and custom writing, please see the Fully Personalized Celebration of Life package.
-Monica T.
Columbia, MD