Guidelines for Funerals Christ United Methodist Church 401 High Street, P.O. Box 262 Chestertown, MD 21620 410-778-0911 christumc1@gmail.com Revised 20 February 2014 In your hour of loss, the fellowship of Christ United Methodist Church would like to express our deep sympathy and let you know that our prayers are with you at this hour. As a community we will do all we can to help you through this difficult period of your life. Purpose of This Document The resurrection is central to the Christian faith. It shapes our attitudes during our lives as well as our responses to the process and event of death. Every death brings loss, sorrow, and grief to all. In the face of death we do not have to bear our loss in isolation; as a community we are sustained by the power of the Holy Spirit and the fellowship of other believers. With this in mind, Christ United Methodist Church has set forth the following policy on funeral/memorial services which occur in the physical facilities of our building(s). The Christian Funeral / Memorial Service / Celebration of Life service The Christian Funeral/Memorial Service/Celebration of Life (from now on referred to as The Celebration of Life in this document) is first and foremost a worship service. As such, it should be approached with reverence, dignity, and respect. This service gives thanks for life lived and highlights memories and contributions of the deceased to the loved ones and to the community, helping all to learn vital lessons from it. The Celebration of Life service is a worship service in which the gifts, graces, and contributions of the deceased person are recognized and celebrated. God s people have an opportunity to witness to their faith in the hope of the message of the Gospel, the communion of saints, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. During this service we also share the assurance of our salvation through the relationship with Christ (1 Peter 1:3-4). It is God s way of bringing comfort and closure to those who mourn as Scriptures are read, prayers are shared, grief is expressed, and memories are Page 1 of 5
cherished. The presence of family and friends at this time serves to support and strengthen those who grieve. Church members are encouraged to use the church facilities for the Celebration of Life Services. Just as we were baptized by God in the church and have been nourished by God through the church, it is appropriate that thanksgiving to God for our lives be offered in church. The Officiating Clergy When funerals are conducted at Christ United Methodist Church, the senior appointed pastor will ordinarily officiate the services in their entirety. The pastor has sole responsibility and discretion in carrying out the church guidelines for these services. Special requests (regarding to the service itself, whether music or guest minister) must be approved by the senior pastor appointed to serve Christ United Methodist Church at the time of the service. That only pertains to the Celebrations of Life services that take place in the church. Service Format While it is anticipated that most Celebration of Life Services will follow a traditional approach to worship, a contemporary liturgy may also be used. Every effort will be made to accommodate wishes of the deceased and the family. Casket/Remains The casket with the remains of the deceased may be present for the service, and shall arrive at the church at least 1 hour (60 minutes) prior to the announced starting time. In order that worship may focus on God, and upon the gift of resurrection, rather than upon the earthly remains of the deceased, the casket will be closed prior to the beginning of the service. A white pall may be used to cover the casket; a white pall symbolizes our equality before God, and the joy of our inclusion in Christ s victory over death. Page 2 of 5
Cremation is an appropriate alternative for Christians. Worship liturgy and committal will remain the same in cases of cremation, with the exception that the committal may take place on a different date from the service in the church. Viewing The practice of viewing the remains is customary in our culture and some families may choose to follow this custom; it is, however, a family decision and the church will support the family s wishes. In that case the casket/remains of the deceased will be brought into the church by the funeral directors at least 1 hour (60 minutes) prior to the announced viewing time. When the viewing is not immediately followed by the Celebration of Life service, the family and the funeral director(s) must make arrangements to take the remains out of the church and deliver them back to the church for the service at appropriate time. Timing of the services While it is traditional to hold the Celebration of Life services followed by the internment, it is becoming more and more commonplace to have the internment before the Celebration of Life service. Both approaches are appropriate and the church makes no recommendation in this regard. Please do not plan any services without first consulting the church regarding its availability and the schedule of the pastor. Flowers and Decorations The use of flowers and other forms of decoration are permitted but are not required. All efforts should be made so that decorations and flowers reflect our shared Christian faith and do not distract from the purpose of worship. Committal Service Page 3 of 5
The officiating pastor is available to lead a brief committal/internment service at the site (locally) where the remains of the deceased will be interned. Military, Masonic and Fraternal honors Although such honors are not considered part of a Christian worship, they may be carried out at the church at an appropriate time at the discretion of the pastor. Pictures, Audio/Visuals and Photography The focus of Christian Worship is God. It is not appropriate to display images of the deceased in the sanctuary during the service. (It is OK, however, to display them BEFORE and/or AFTER the service and during the reception). Photo displays of the deceased are encouraged when appropriately placed in the reception area or behind the sanctuary by the entrance from High Street. All photographs, slide shows and audiovisuals must be reviewed by the pastor prior to projection. If the family wishes to photograph the service, only non-flash photography is permitted during the service. The photographer is allowed to move discretely in the back and on the sides of the sanctuary. Recreation of any portion of the Celebration of Life service, in order to take photographs, is disrespectful to the memory of the deceased and to the loss of God s gift of life and will not be permitted. Page 4 of 5
FEES: Please consider the extra hours spent by the Pastor, Organist and Custodian to prepare for the Celebration of Life service. The following minimum fees are set. Members of Christ United Methodist Church: Pastor Reasonable and Customary Honorarium at the discretion of the family Organist Fee negotiated with the organist Non Members of Christ United Methodist Church Pastor Reasonable and Customary Honorarium at the discretion of the family Organist Fee negotiated with the organist Custodian $50.00 Use of Church $100.00 Page 5 of 5