At the time of death, when families are in deepest shock, there are so many arrangements to be made.  This information is provided to help our members plan for a funeral. 

When a death occurs contact Pastor Brian

When somebody dies, it is very appropriate to call the pastor to come to the place of the death to be with the bereaved.  Pastor Brian will offer prayers of comfort and thanksgiving, prayers of lament and grief, and scripture that reminds us of God’s love. He will also help you make arrangements with the funeral home and provide other care as needed. 

Selecting the funeral date and time

When selecting a date and time for a funeral, it is extremely important to check with the pastor prior to finalizing plans with the funeral home.  While funerals are a priority in the congregation, there are situations that may arise that could affect the date and time of a funeral, including conflicts in scheduling of pastor and/or church.

Funeral Luncheons

A time of fellowship following a funeral to share memories, laughs, and tears is encouraged. Following funerals at the church, the funeral meal committee of the church is available to provide food and/or refreshments.  Details are in this brochure.

Planning the Funeral Service

Funeral services are for the living.  They provide comfort for the ones who mourn and remind the faithful of the promised resurrection.  For this reason, Easter scripture and hymns are the most appropriate selections.  The pastor will work with the family to select hymns and scripture.

Holy Communion at Funerals

It is appropriate to celebrate Holy Communion at funerals, especially if those gathered are people of faith.  Such a celebration reminds us that we belong to a larger cloud of witnesses that is already sharing in the great heavenly banquet. Sharing the sacrament during funerals nourishes us for our journey of grief by giving God’s presence through the body and blood of the risen Jesus Christ.  If you wish to have Holy Communion, please let the pastor know.

Making Advance Funeral Plans

Pastor Brian is available to help anybody (healthy or sick) to make funeral plans in advance.  You will work together to write out plans you wish to share and put them in a file in the church office for future reference.