The death of a loved one is a difficult time in our lives. No one is ever really prepared. Even when the death is expected, we can have trouble thinking clearly and remembering details. This information has been prepared to assist you and your family in planning the funeral or memorial service for your loved one.
Planning the Service
Our pastor will spend time with you and your family to help plan the worship service. You will want to consider the following aspects of the service:
Music: Are there particular hymns or special music you would like sung or included in the prelude?
Readings: Are there scripture passages or quotations from other sources that are meaningful to you?
Participants: Is there someone you want to ask to participate by doing one of the readings or singing a solo?
Sharing: Do you prefer that only the pastor share thoughts about the deceased? Friends or family members? An open invitation to those attending?
Honorariums
There is no fee for the use of the sanctuary. The church governing board has set the following fees for staff members:
Pastor Non-members: $200
Members: no charge; your gift is always appreciated
Organist - $150
Custodian - $125
In order to relieve you of additional pressure on the day of the service, checks may be left at the church the day before the service, to be distributed at the time of the service. Some people prefer to have the funeral director take care of this for them.
Music
The pastor or office staff will arrange for the organist. Arrangements may also be made for soloists or other instrumentalists, depending on availability.
Flowers
The family usually provides a floral arrangement for the communion table; friends may send flowers as a gesture of condolence. However, too many flowers can detract from the service. We suggest that, instead of flowers, lasting memorials can be gifted to a charitable cause that was meaningful to the deceased.
The following florists have keys to the church building and can conveniently make deliveries:
Hinman's Flower & Garden Center, Canton (693-8316)
Bouquet Boutique, Unionville (675-8355)
Haworth's Flower Shop, Farmington (677-1684)
If another florist is used, the church must be called to arrange delivery.
The Day of the Service
Family members should arrive at the church approximately 30 minutes before the service time. The Victorian Room on the level below the sanctuary is available for you as you wait for people to gather.
Shortly before the service is to begin, the pastor will join the family and will escort you to the sanctuary.
Receptions
The Reception Committee is willing to provide refreshments after the service of a church member. The following information is needed as soon as possible to facilitate their planning:
- Will the reception be immediately following the service?
- The type of food to be served, i.e. punch and cookies; or sandwiches if the service is close to mealtime. Will the family be providing any of the food?
- How many people are expected to attend?
- Would you like tables set up for memorabilia and photos? A basket for charitable contributions?
- Will floral arrangements be available from the service or funeral home to decorate the tables?
A $75 contribution is requested to help cover our costs.
Non-members may use Fellowship Hall for a reception if they would like to; the family is expected to provide the food and paper goods in this case or to work with a caterer. There is a $200 fee to use the hall and kitchen.
How Can We Help?
We are glad to help you in any way we can. If you have questions that are not addressed in this pamphlet, please feel free to call the church office at (860) 673-3996. Office hours are Monday, 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.; Tuesday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. When the office is not open, please leave a message on our voicemail.