Funerals at PCOC

Upcoming Memorial Services

Don Sievers passed away on March 11.  Don’s funeral service will be this Friday, March 22, at 11:00 in the sanctuary, with lunch to follow, provided by our Deacons. 

Nancy Drews passed away on March 13. Nancy’s funeral service will also be held on Friday, March 22, at 2:00 p.m. at the Heafey-Hoffman Mortuary at 7805 W. Center Road.

Guide & Worksheet

Download the Guide & Worksheet

Funeral Planning Guide

The Christian Funeral Service

This service is a gathering of family and friends, who form a community of hope.  A funeral or memorial service is a rich opportunity to recall the promises of God through Christ. Because of His suffering, death, and resurrection to new life, each time we gather to worship upon the death of a loved one, we do so in the context of God’s promise. Every funeral includes praising God in Christ who is our hope and our salvation, even as we remember the deceased and give thanks to God for the time shared with that person.

Christians view death as another step in our life as children of God. Yet, Christians also experience death as a time of loss when sorrow, grief, and bereavement are both natural and appropriate. These two truths inform the Christian funeral service and guide the church in its ministry to those who have lost a loved one to death, affirming with both joy and tears the promise and hope of the Good News of Jesus.

A funeral or memorial service should be comforting to those who mourn as well as bear witness to our faith in Jesus Christ. The concern of gathered friends does minister to our grief but, above all else, a funeral is a service of worship to God. There, in God’s presence together, we witness to our faith in the communion of saints, the resurrection of the body, and the life ever-lasting. In doing so, the assurance of God’s love and salvation in Christ become a ministry, especially to the bereaved. Since a funeral is a service of worship, all that takes place should be consistent with this principle.

Our Funeral Planning Guide and Worksheet is designed to:

  • to provide a tool for planning for the future when your life on this earth ends, and
  • to support and guide families making plans upon the death of a loved one.

In the first days following a loved one’s death, the family makes an average of 200 decisions. During such an emotional, stressful and demanding time, plans that have been made earlier lighten the load after death.

If you’ve not made advance plans, this guide will be helpful to you as you arrange for services and burial of your loved one.

This guide will walk you through a series of questions. Your responses can be marked on the worksheet at the end. The Pastors are available to discuss any items with you. When you are finished, please share your worksheet with a family member or friend who will act on your behalf after your death. It would also be helpful to contact one of our pastors to share your worksheet so that it can be held in safekeeping for the future.

 

Planning Faithfully, Choosing Wisely

What is the difference between a funeral and memorial service?

Simply put, at a funeral service the body of the deceased is present, whereas at a memorial service either the deceased’s ashes or no remains are present. Both services provide an opportunity to proclaim God’s death defeating acts in Christ as we remember all that God has given us in the life of our loved one.

How does the Church view cremation?

Cremation is an acceptable way for Christians to deal with one’s earthly remains. The Scriptures tell us that we are formed “of the dust of the ground” (Genesis 2:7) and, after death, we shall return “again to dust.” (Job 34:15)

If I choose cremation, do I need to secure the services of a Funeral Director?

We highly recommend working with a Funeral Director. This professional will ease the strain upon family members by coordinating all the details and thus contributing to your wishes being carried out with dignity and honor. Even if cremation is your desire, a Funeral Director handles many details that are not taken care of by the church, the Pastor, or family members. Attempting to save money by not using a Funeral Director is likely to cause confusion and frustration at a time when you most need guidance and support.

Should I make pre-arrangements with a Funeral Director?

Making the decision to pre-arrange some aspects of your funeral and/or burial is helpful. An appointment with a Funeral Director in advance of death is a wise step to help you decide what you and your family need from the many services available. If you are a family member caring for a dying loved one, making an initial contact now with a Funeral Director can be very helpful and will lessen the decisions and demands you’ll face upon death.

When a funeral director is not involved additional planning by the family is needed, including, but not limited to: ushers to handout bulletins and direct people to be seated. Additional items to provide: a guest register, container for cards of sympathy, transferring floral arrangements and memorabilia to Fellowship Hall during funeral service for the reception.

How soon after death does a funeral or memorial service take place?

Funeral services are generally held within three to five days following death, thereby allowing appropriate time for family members and friends to gather for the service. Memorial services can be held at any time. However, waiting for weeks or even months after a death will have a bearing on finding a sense of closure, and this will impact the grief work that follows the death of a loved one. Therefore, it is recommended that a memorial service be held within a few weeks after death.

If a funeral or memorial service is to be followed by a burial that same day, the schedule of the cemetery workers dictates that burials be held during normal business hours for city cemeteries. Surcharges apply for weekend burials, and burials are not available on holidays. It is also possible to have the burial in the morning, before the service, which allows for a late morning or afternoon service.

Funeral or memorial services on Sunday are highly discouraged, as Sundays are reserved for the worship services of the congregation.

What fees are associated with a funeral or memorial service at PCOC?

There are fees for the people involved in providing the worship service.  A fee schedule is available from the church office.  There is no building utilization fee for PCOC members on Monday- Friday, however there is a building utilization fee for Saturday services.  Payment of these fees are coordinated through the Funeral Director.

Who makes arrangements for the musicians?

PCOC’s Director of Worship and Music and pastors assist in helping family coordinate music for all funerals. Our full time organist will provide the service music. A vocalist may be selected by you or your family, or the vocalist can be arranged by the Director of Worship and Music.

May we have a visitation at the church the evening before the service, or must that take place at a funeral home?

The visitation generally occurs at the Funeral Home.

Who is responsible for producing the order of worship and bulletin?

After the service has been planned with the Pastor, the funeral home or the church office produces the service program.

Who is responsible for submitting the death notice and obituary to the newspaper?

The Funeral Director can take care of this for you. A full obituary normally appears 2-3 days before the visitation and funeral. There is a cost for this, and the Funeral Director can assist you. Notices to other newspapers can also be handled by the Funeral Director at your request.

Who plans the reception following the funeral or memorial service?

The Board of Deacons provides a luncheon or reception, depending on the time of the service, for the friends and families of church members in Fellowship Hall. Other arrangements may be made by the family, if desired.

Who is responsible for the floral arrangements following the service and/or reception?

The floral arrangements belong to the family.  It is the family’s responsibility to remove the flowers from the church. They may choose to take arrangements to their home or to nursing homes, or other places where others may enjoy the beauty.    

What if I desire to have memorials directed to PCOC or other organizations?

This is an honorable thing to do. PCOC and any other organizations you choose are blessed when memorials are directed to support their ministries and missions. The Funeral Director will be happy to include any memorial designation(s) in the notices about the funeral service. All memorial gifts received directly by PCOC will generate an acknowledgment to you.  Twice a year all memorials are shared with the congregation as an insert in a Sunday bulletin.

Funeral Planning Worksheet

(Planning Worksheet begins on page 5)