I had never planned a funeral before. Chaplain Erica and Joe, gave me inside information and much needed tips to make my friend's service so much better than it would have been. By having them guide me through the set up, I had a live bugler that played two songs, including Taps, I had a gun volley that fired shots and gave the shells to my friend's brother, and had the Honor Guard do the Flag Folding Ceremony. Chaplain Erica had me write 3-4 paragraphs about my friend, and she read them aloud which gave a personal touch. She also read an awesome poem about "The Dash" and gave me a laminated copy. She took pictures and video and transferred them to my Apple phone on the spot. Finally, after we left to the Celebration of Life at a nearby resturant (Cactus Cantina was awesome with a free private room as long as you order food), she sent me photos of my friend's grave after the buriel, with the flowers I left on top of his grave. I highly recommend you connect with Chaplain Erica and Joe for your loved one's service, especially if you need guidance. read more

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Chaplain Erica Thank you for your kindness, compassion, and guidance before, during and after my mom's funeral service. Your comforting presence and thoughtful words brought peace to our family during a difficult time. We are deeply grateful for the care and support you showed us as we honored and placed my mom's urn with my dad's urn in his columbarium. Days after the service, you sent texts assuring us that you were available for "talk", if we needed. Your compassion and kindness went beyond just the service. We will always be grateful for the kindness you showed. read more

We reached out to Joe and Erica about a celebration of life service that we intended on having them officiate. The communication and information they provided was very helpful along with the experience they had to offer. We ultimately went with someone else as our dates changed and so did our original program. I still appreciated them being available and offering to help us in this time of need. read more

We recently buried Dad and Mom at the Riverside National Cemetery. We connected with Chaplain Joe and Chaplain Erica to help coordinate the ceremony, what a blessing. They were very organized and helped make the event easy for the family, and very memorable. From connecting with the honor guard, the bugler and the bag piper, to Erica presiding over the ceremony, it was wonderful. Thank you again for making a very difficult day, a proud and memorable day for the family. read more

Chaplain Joe and Reverend Erica were an amazing help to our family. They were a calm and reassuring presence with knowledgeable guidance. The service went so well and brought comfort to our family and friends. read more

Exactly a described! Very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. Everyone is still talking about my dad's service and the poem that the chaplain read. Highly recommend! read more

My family is forever grateful for Chaplain Joe and Rev Erika. I was lost at how to move forward when we lost my dad. Having to plan and navigate steps forward while grieving is incredibly difficult. I read some good reviews and was so thankful that I called him. He was available every day and gave me the numbers, resources and guidance we needed. Dad's service with navy honors lead by Chaplain Joe was so beautiful. Thank you Chaplain Joe and Rev Erika. We will be forever grateful. read more

Chaplain Joseph "Joe" Andersen completely blessed my grandmother's funeral and he brought the peace of the Holy Spirit upon the service. In the beginning of the process, he reached out to my family and offered suggestions for the eulogy and provided guidance with the arrangements. I am so very thankful for the service he does to honor our veterans. He enables people to experience and express their grief and to remember their loved one, while, at the same time, pointing them to God for hope and comfort. My heart was heavy with grief but after the reading of John 14, additional scriptures and reminding us all of the promises of Our Lord- Oh Happy Day! He also asked family members to be involved in the service by offering a remembrance of our loved one. His compassion and thoughtfulness throughout the entire process really touched our family. He even recommended a talented bagpiper that captured the mourning of our fallen hero and provided a sendoff that reflected honor. I couldn't have asked for a better service and I highly recommend Chaplain Joe for your needs. read more

Chaplain Joe & Chaplain Erica - Officiants Near Me

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Our family is so very grateful to Chaplain Joe and Reverend Erika for the beautifully orchestrated and executed interment service for my father and mother at Riverside National Cemetery. Their experience and devotion to honoring our loved ones, the men and women who served our country through military service, was so inspired and genuine. They were so supportive and expert in bringing together all of the elements necessary for the respectful and dignified service due our departed. Heartfelt thanks to Chaplain Joe and Reverend Erika for making this difficult time the wonderful and beautiful experience it was for family and friends. You made the daunting and overwhelming day of service in honoring our parent's interment, the best day ever imaginable. May peace be with you always. read more

I was so happy that I found Chaplain Erica Andersen , Her and her husband Chaplain Joe , took me under their wing , I was so overwhelm with all the funeral planning, even though we had a mortuary representative . As soon as they gave me good sound advice and directed me in what had to be put in place for our brothers military service , I felt a calm and confidence that swept over me , How fortunate my family and I were to have this lovely , intelligent , spiritual lady , Chaplain Erica officiate the beautiful service for our brother. the reading of scriptures and the poem and the blessing of the casket took our breath away. She made sure we had the honor guard and rifle volley in place, , not to mention that wonderful bagpiper, playing Amazing Grace. Chaplain Erica also spoke in reverence about how we honor our veterans that because of them we enjoy the freedoms that we all have . This was all over and beyond what we expected , and we are so grateful and thankful for having Chaplain Erica Andersen there for us all. read more

When I called Chaplain Joe to see if he could do my brother's funeral service, I knew I was in good hands. He made the process so easy for our family and guided us through every step along the way to make this a beautiful memorial and life celebration. He made everyone laugh and reflect, bringing my brother's spirit to life. Most importantly, his message was inspirational, his words and prayers were full of wisdom, and he left us all with hope and encouragement. Thank you, Chaplin Joe; from the bottom of my heart, you are indeed a messenger of God! read more

Joe conducted my husbands memorial service at the veterans cemetery in Riverside, Ca. He did a very good service for my late husband. His understanding of the crisis our family was going through was real since he himself was a veteran. Thank you, Joe. read more

I hired Chaplain Joe for my Dad's celebration of life party in Orange County in June 2021. Joe nailed it. He went out of his way to find out about my dad and really prepared for my dad's send off. We had military honors at the Restaurant from the Honor Guard. He memorialized my dad and did some special symbolic presentations that meant a lot to my mom as she had lost her husband of 56 years. Joe even had arranged for a bagpipe player to play for an extra add on (note: if you are having an indoor funeral or celebration of life, you may not want the bagpipe player as I didn't expect the bagpipe to be that loud). Joe is a pro and you will find that out very quickly after speaking with him. I was lucky to find him to help me. I am a trial lawyer who has no problem speaking in front of crowds, but I was not about to officiate or MC my dad's funeral. I also found Joe to be flexible and empathetic of family member's different opinions and feelings. For example, my kids, wife and I are Christian, but my brother isn't and my dad wasn't that religious so my brother really didn't want many prayers, blessings etc, but I did. Joe was able to work with both of us. He was even willing to come early to bless the urn. I highly recommend Joe for such a difficult time. He also has a commanding presence so people listened to him. read more