FUNERAL PLANNING GUIDE

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 800 GREENSBORO AVENUE TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA 35401 Website: www.fumct.org

CHURCH 205-345-7261

EMERGENCY 205-886-7177

Philosophy and Policy of Christian Funerals at First United Methodist Church In our efforts to assist you in properly planning a memorial or funeral service for your loved one, our church staff has prepared this information for your perusal and consideration. I. The Christian Funeral The Christian funeral is a worship service in which God's people witness to their faith in the hope of the Gospel, the communion of saints, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. II. Towards an Understanding of the Christian Funeral A funeral service at First United Methodist Church is worship of the true and living God. The funeral is God's way of bringing comfort to the hearts of those who mourn as scripture is read and preached, prayer is offered, praises are sung, grief is expressed, and remembrance is cherished. The presence of family and friends around at this time serves to support and strengthen those who sorrow. The funeral gives thanks for life and lifts meaningful memories of the lost loved one, helping us learn vital lessons from it. Thus, in the funeral service, we gather primarily to worship God and confess our faith in a living Savior. Though we mourn our loss and remember our loved one, our focus is fixed on the grace of God and his Son, Jesus. Practical Matters Pre-Planning of the Service Because it is difficult when under emotional stress to plan wisely, members are encouraged to discuss and plan in advance the arrangements that will be necessary at the time of death including the Christian options of burial, cremation or donation for medical purposes. These plans should provide for arrangements that are simple and bear witness to resurrection hope. Counseling on the Occasion of Death One of the most valuable services the Church provides its members at the time of death is that of pastoral counseling. The minister should be consulted immediately when a death occurs, for he/she is uniquely equipped to give those Christian services which the bereaved family needs. The minister is able to discuss with compassion and objectivity those important decisions that the family needs to make. The minister will meet with the family to arrange the services.

Services on the Occasion of Death The funeral or memorial service attempts to do three things: honor the life of the deceased; bring comfort to the grieving, and to recognize our dependence on the grace of God. Every aspect of the service should contribute to those three things. The pastoral staff will work with families in developing an appropriate service for your loved one.

Where to Have the Service? While many choose the chapel at a funeral home for the memorial service, others prefer the church building where faith is nourished, marriage vows are made, children are baptized, communion is received, and prayers are offered by the people of God. Members are encouraged to have the service at the church. Services of Committal Interment may precede or follow the worship service. Members and friends of the family should gather at the graveside or columbarium for a service of farewell, which is to be conducted with simplicity, dignity and brevity. The service includes readings from scripture, prayers, words of committal and a blessing, reflecting the reality of death, entrusting the one who has died to the care of God, and bearing witness to faith in the resurrection from the dead. Because fraternal or civil rites are not part of the worship service, these organizations should pay tribute to the deceased following the Christian service. Use of the Church Pall Members are encouraged to use the church's pall on the casket. The use of the pall is a revival of an ancient Christian custom. This is a cloth that is spread over the casket, covering it completely, thereby eliminating all outward distinctions. If the family desires a United States flag may be used to cover the casket of those who have seen service in the military. A Christian funeral is enhanced by its simplicity of worship since Christians believe that God looks within the heart and not on outward material things. Some families choose to cover the casket with flowers which is acceptable. Services with a Casket The distinction between a memorial service and a funeral service is the presence of the casket. A service with the casket is usually referred to as a “Funeral Service.” Without the casket, the service is called a “Memorial Service.” Funeral practices are constantly evolving. The practice of an open casket is more often being reserved for private family and close friends. It is not appropriate to have an open casket in the sanctuary. If the family desires "viewing," it should ordinarily take place at the funeral home. Cremation Cremation is a matter of personal preference. It is not inconsistent with the Christian faith. There are niches available for purchase in the church columbarium for church members. Facilities and Services of the Church On the occasion of death, the Church will provide its physical facilities and services without charge to the family. Members of the church will be ushers. The church will provide printed programs to aid the congregants in following the worship service. The ushers will distribute the programs. It is very important to have ushers to assist with seating and to further ensure the physical and spiritual comfort of those attending the service. Family Meal Sunday school classes, small groups, or the Congregational Care Team will provide a meal for the family on the day of the service. The meal may be served at your home or at the church. A member of the team will contact you and make arrangements.

Visitation/Reception Visitation may be held at the church before or after the service. Sometimes a reception will accompany the visitation following the service. (The reception is provided by the Agape Ministry, which is part of the Congregational Care or small group or Sunday School.) Officiating the Service When funerals are conducted at First United Methodist Church, staff ministers ordinarily conduct the services. One of the pastors will work with the family in developing the service. The music staff will assist in meeting the appropriate desires of the family. Music At the worship service, it is appropriate for worshipers to sing hymns, psalms, spirituals or spiritual songs which affirm God's power over death, a belief in the resurrection to life everlasting and the assurance of the communion of the saints. The director of music and/or organist will provide guidance for the selection of appropriate music. Flowers If a pall or a United States flag is not used to cover the casket, a spray of fresh flowers may be used. A fresh floral arrangement on the chancel table is appropriate. The church’s Flower Guild will assist with the floral arrangements or one of the local florists may be contacted. Fresh floral sprays are welcome in the Great Hall or the room where the reception will be held. Memorial Gifts In lieu of flowers, a donation to the church or another charity is a common practice. Memorials received by the church are applied to the designated cause of the donor. Undesignated gifts by policy of the Finance Committee are applied to the general budget. The church acknowledges all memorial gifts to both the donor and the family. Gifts for Participants It is customary and appropriate to provide an honorarium for those who assist in the service. The clergy of First United Methodist Church understand that a part of their pastoral responsibilities is to provide leadership for the service. Below is a guide to assist you with what is an appropriate honorarium for those who assist with the service: Out of town minister $150, plus consideration for the travel Musicians $150 (per) Soloist $150 Sound Engineer (The Bridge) $100 If nursery is requested $40 (2 people at $10 per hour/2 hour minimum) Custodial services (weekend) $50 Honorarium should be made directly to the participants.

Information of _______________________________________________________________________ The following is an expression of my funeral service decisions: Funeral Home/Crematorium Preferred: ____________________________________________________ Place of Service:

___ Sanctuary or ___Chitwood Hall at First United Methodist Church ___ Chapel at the Funeral Home ___ Graveside ___ Courtyard/Columbarium ___ Other ________________________________________________________

Visitation/Reception:

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Officiating Pastor:

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Others involved in the service: ____________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ Participating Organization (military, fraternal, etc) ____________________________________________ Pall: ____________ Flag: __________ Flowers: ____________ Viewing: ___Public ___Private ___None Floral Preference: _____________________________________________________________________ Memorial Donations may be made to: _____________________________________________________ Music: ___Congregational Hymn Suggestions ___Amazing Grace ___Hymn of Promise ___How Great Thou Art ___In the Garden ___Joyful, Joyful ___How Firm a Foundation ___On Eagle’s Wings ___Other _________________________________ ___Other ________________________________ Favorite Scripture Suggestions: ___John 14: 1-7, 15-17, 27 ___Romans 814-18, 28, 31, 35, 37-39 ___Psalm 23 ___Psalm 27 ___Psalm 90 ___Psalm 121 ___ _______________________ Pallbearers: ___________________________________

___Soloist Anthem Suggestions ___The Lord’s Prayer ___How Great Thou Art ___Surely the Presence ___Amazing Grace ___On Eagle’s Wings ___Ave Maria Other ___________________________ Other ___________________________

___1 Corinthians 15: 20-22, 35-36, 38a, 42-44, 49-50 ___Revelation 22:1-5 ___Isaiah 139 ___Isaiah 43:28-31 ___Isaiah 43:1-7 _____________________________________ _____________________________________

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Honorary Pallbearers: ___________________________________

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Material the Pastors like to have available for the meditation: Church and Community Involvement:

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