I will create a sacred and loving tribute, knowing that each family’s needs are uniquely personal.

Why have a memorial service?

A memorial service, or Celebration of Life service, is an important community ceremony that commemorates and honors your beloved. It helps to begin the process of a completion of their life, acknowledging the love that has been given and received. You may want a small private home service, a funeral home service, a gathering at a beautiful outdoor setting, or any environment that fits your lifestyle.


As a memorial service officiant, I will create a sacred and loving tribute, knowing that each family’s needs are uniquely personal. I am flexible, creative, and professional. My services are spiritual and heartfelt, but not religious. As an ordained minister through Centers for Spiritual Living, my philosophy embraces the principles that are common among all major religious traditions.

Next Steps

I can meet with you (and your family if you’d like) either by phone, Zoom, or in person in Mill Valley, where I learn about your loved one and what was important to them. 

From there, I will craft a beautiful service that takes into consideration the spiritual journey or important qualities of the one who has passed as well as your needs and requests.

I will be responsible for guiding the whole ceremony, so you and your family will not be burdened by the logistics of the service. I give you a format for writing a history, and I can use my skills as a published author to help you edit it. If you want, I can also suggest readings or poems. 

Usually, I set up a time for sharing of memories. This gives folks an opportunity to share from their heart what is valuable and precious to them about the person who has passed, and it enhances the feeling of connection in the room, as people remember their own happy memories.

  • I was so pleased with the memorial service that we created to honor my mother and father. I am grateful that we were able to celebrate their lives and do them justice. I appreciate your help in making it possible. The opportunity to help some of their friends have some closure, as well as my own family, was precious. Thank you again for making the memorial special. It was nice to be a participant and not the conductor that day.

    ~ Molly S.

  • Katherine was added late in the planning of a celebration of life ceremony for my mom. Her contributions ended up being invaluable and we are so glad she was a part of it. … Translating the planning to the actual event went flawlessly. … This allowed me to "be" there for my mom's ceremony rather than be the planner. She is a kind, intelligent, professional, and we are so glad she was an important part of our event. I would recommend her highly and give her high marks for her adaptability. Thank you once again Katherine.

    ~ Kevin P.

  • My family and I are so glad that we had chosen Katherine to officiate the services for my husband's memorial. We knew that writing and putting together something for the service would be very emotional and tough to do, but Katherine was very patient and helpful in creating a beautiful service for my husband. She helped us so much in organizing the structure and an order of what we could do, suggesting different options to make it personal and more comfortable. We came up with a service that worked for everyone. It was very personal and healing. Thank you Katherine.

    ~ Leslie W.

  • I was so pleased with the memorial service that we created to honor my mother and father. I am grateful that we were able to celebrate their lives and do them justice. I appreciate your help in making it possible. The opportunity to help some of their friends have some closure, as well as my own family, was precious.

    Thank you again for making the memorial special. It was nice to be a participant and not the conductor that day.

    ~ Molly Shor

  • Katherine officiated the celebration of life for the son of a very close friend. We had less than a week of planning between his passing and the service, and Katherine partnered with us to honor the family's wishes so completely, it was as if she had known them all along. Katherine presided over a service that was heartfelt, sweet, loving, graceful, and captured the spirit of the child we were memorializing so well. She helped us create an event that was accessible as well as sacred for everyone, including the dozens of children who were in attendance.

    ~ JAH

  • Katherine is amazing. She officiated my Husband's Celebration of Life. She made the process so easy during a time I could not fully function. I am grateful to have had her Services so I could focus on family and friends.

    I strongly recommend her for any type of Service and will happily reach out to her again if I am ever in the need.

    ~ Ken F.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • I love facilitating memorial services, as I enjoy contributing to your spiritual well-being during this tender time. A death signals a new phase of life for you as a family member, partner, or friend without your loved one in physical form. In these services, I bring my social skills to ease your family, handle details, and work with different personalities. My deep spiritual belief in life's balance can add a comforting layer to this complex process of saying goodbye.