Funeral and Memorial Service
PLANNING GUIDELINES
Intro – A Christian Funeral
Funeral and Memorial Services at Hope are Christian Services. This Christian emphasis is evident by the fact that Bible passages are read and a Bible-based, Christ-centred and life-eternal directed message is shared; prayers are spoken, and musical selections chosen will complement the Christian teaching about death, resurrection and eternal life. Pop or radio songs, old favourites, etc., will find a more appropriate venue at the recessional and/or the reception rather than during the Service. Families who do not particularly seek a Christian Funeral or Memorial Service conducted by our Pastor, or another LCC pastor, are advised to seek a different venue for the event.
- Date & Time of Service
- The date and time chosen for the funeral service will depend on scheduled events at Hope. It usually happens on Saturdays in the afternoon.
- Service and Music
- A funeral service at Hope generally lasts from 30 to 45 minutes. The liturgy includes Bible readings, liturgical elements, prayers, a Sermon and 3 to 4 hymns, which need to be approved by the pastor;
- Funeral/Memorial Services held on the church premises are performed by our Pastor or by a rostered pastor of LCC(Lutheran Church – Canada) only. We don’t rent the space for other religions/denominations, nor we officiate joint celebrations with ministers other than LCC Pastors.
- Tributes are optional and If you choose to have a tribute included, it will be delivered either before the Service starts(after the processional) or as it ends (after the Benediction). We recommend that it should not exceed 10 minutes. The content should be submitted to the pastor’s knowledge prior to the Service
- Hope has several musicians that may be available to play for funeral Services.
- We request the family to submit a picture of the deceased loved one to be used in Order or Service.
- Worship Liturgy and Bulletin
- Usually, the Service will be on the screen.
- Special requests regarding liturgy and the order of the Service must be approved by the pastor.
- Baptismal and Confirmation dates of the deceased are used for the bulletin. If you are able to find out this information prior to meeting with the Pastor that would be helpful.
- We will need to know how many worship bulletins to prepare when they are printed.
- We ask the family to proofread the service for errors and omissions prior to printing.
- Funeral Costs
- The family will also provide a donation to the congregation in lieu of the luncheon and the use of the facilities. We also recommend an honorarium to musician(s). For funerals of non-members of the Church, we request an honorarium for the caretaker of the event and for the video/sound person.
- Luncheon
- The luncheon may be done by the ladies of the congregation. You will receive the contact of the people in charge of the organization and they will let you know the details of how this works.
- Memorials
- Please indicate your choice of charity. This information will be printed at the back of your worship bulletin.
- One of the options available to you is to have memorials designated to the Hope Lutheran Memorial Fund.
- Interment/Committal
- An announcement regarding the Interment may be made during the worship service and information will also be printed in the bulletin.
- Live Streaming
- When volunteers from the Church are available for the chosen date and time, we can provide a livestream of the memorial Service.