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Funerals at Zion
Local
Funeral Homes are prepared to help you with all your funeral
arrangements, but
we also have listed a few items here, that might be helpful for you as
you make
plans for the funeral.
Will
the Funeral take place in the Church or at the Funeral Home?
It
is encouraged and very appropriate that the funeral of active members
take
place in the church. It may be more appropriate for non members to
gather at
the funeral home.
Planning
the Service
The
pastor will meet with the family to plan the service. An outline of the
Service
of Burial of the Dead is included in this document. If so desired, the
Holy
Communion may be included in the service. When the Sacrament is
celebrated, the
service always takes place in the church.
Family
and friends will have the opportunity to suggest lessons and hymns to
accompany
the service. The deceased may also have indicated their preference. It
is most
appropriate for families to discuss these matters so that wishes of the
deceased are honoured as much as possible.
There
may be family members or friends who would like to serve as readers, or
as
communion assistants at the funeral service. The contribution of family
and
friends in planning and conducting the worship service is welcomed and
encouraged.
Soloists
Soloists,
a singer or someone playing an instrument, add to a worship service.
You may
consider this for your service. Our organist, Ms. Nancy Huizing, ph.
949-6652, is the person to contact. She is well informed of the local
talent of
soloists and instrumentalists.
Visitation
The
pastor will be available to meet with the family at the funeral home
during
visitation. At the beginning, or the end of a day of visitation,
Scripture readings
and prayers may be offered on behalf of the family and the person who
has died.
The
family need to remember that the visitation period can be an intense
and an
emotional time. It is recommended that you wear comfortable shoes, as
you will
be standing for most of the time, and that you exercise self care and
take
breaks from time to time. A two hour period of visitation may seem like
a short
time span, but during this emotional time it can become very draining.
The
Day of the Funeral (church funeral)
On
the day of the funeral, the casket will be brought to the church about
an hour
before the service is to begin. The open casket is placed in the
Narthex or the
Fireside Room of the church in order that mourners may pay their last
respects.
As the service is about to begin, the casket will be closed and the
funeral
director will seat the family.
Funeral
Luncheon
If
you wish to hold a funeral luncheon in Luther Hall following the
funeral
service, this ministry of hospitality is available to you through the
work of
the Evangelical Lutheran Women (ELW). At the time of meeting with the
pastor,
you may indicate your wishes for a funeral luncheon, and the number of
people
you expect. The information will be passed on to the appropriate
person.
Flowers
Flowers
on the altar, and/or flower arrangements are usually left in place for
Sunday
worship. They will remind the congregation of the passing of a brother
or
sister in Christ. The family is remembered in our prayers during the
Sunday
worship services.
Memorial
Donations
You
may wish to consider the church when determining charities and
ministries to
donate to in lieu of flowers.
Zion
Lutheran Church Memorial Fund
uses funds to benefit the ministry of the congregation. If there is a
particular ministry you wish to direct any gifts to, Zion will honour
your wishes. The pastor can
be available for consultation to determine ministries for your
consideration.
When
the Funeral is over
When
the funeral is over, the church community will continue to support you
as you
learn to live in a new way. Every worship service declares the life,
death and
resurrection of Jesus Christ and the hope that we have for eternal
life. The
ministry that those who gather around the cross offer to one other will
comfort
you as you learn to live again. |
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