Funerals
FUNERAL
- The body of the deceased is present in a casket.
- The casket is closed throughout the service, and the service may be held in a church, funeral home, or cemetery chapel.
- The service is held usually from one to three days after the day of death. Burial or cremation follows.
MEMORIAL
- Is similar to a funeral, but without the body of the deceased present.
- It may be held at any time after the day of death, but is usually held within a week or so.
- Cremation or burial may precede or follow the service.
ORDER OF WORSHIP
- Like all worship occasions, a funeral or memorial service includes hymns (optional), prayers, scripture readings, personal rememberings, and a short sermon.
- Participation by family or friends is welcome.
TIME OF SERVICE
- Memorial or funeral services may be held on any day of the week, but usually not on Sunday.
- The hour of the service varies, but may be from 10:30 a.m. until late afternoon. A common time is 2:00 p.m.
- Consult with the minister or office administrator and with the funeral director before publishing the day and time in the newspaper.
MUSIC
- The church will contact the congregation's music director and ask her to provide appropriate music for the service.
- Suggestions about the music from the family are invited, and the organist and minister will do their utmost to accommodate the wishes of the family.
HYMNS
- You are encouraged to choose at least one hymn for the service, especially if it is to be held in the church.
- Some of the more common ones chosen are:
- The Lord's My Shepherd
- Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah
- Now Thank We All Our God
- God Our Help In Ages Past
- How Great Thou Art
- Amazing Grace
- Lord Of The Dance
- Please feel free to look through "Voices United" for other hymns.
FLOWERS
- If a florist is delivering the flowers to the church, please let the church office know which florist and what time the flowers are to arrive.
PICTURE
- A picture of the deceased, or other meaningful mementoes may be placed next to the flowers in the sanctuary.
VISITOR’S BOOK
- A guest register may be provided by the funeral home, or alternatively, may be purchased by the family and placed on the desk in the narthex.
USHERS
- If you would like the church to provide ushers, please mention this when you meet with the minister(s) in planning the service.
CHURCH COSTS
- For those who are not members or regular contributors to our church:
- Financing of the Church - $160.00
- Minister - $125.00
- Organist - $80.00
- Custodian - $35.00
- Total: - $400.00
- If the service is being arranged by a funeral home, they will possibly pay these costs out of their overall fee.
RECEPTION FOLLOWING THE SERVICE
- For further information on a reception following the service assistance, please contact the Ethel Wilson Evening Women’s Group. Note that this group will only serve the food.
MEMORIAL GIFTS
- In the obituary that is printed in the paper it is entirely appropriate for the family to invite friends to donate a memorial gift of money to benevolent societies or health care agencies.
MEMORIAL GARDEN
- Situated behind our Sanctuary, in a garden setting, is a raised bed suitable for the burial of ashes.
- This quiet, meditative area was designed for the benefit of members and adherents of Cordova Bay United Church.
- The name, year of birth and death of those interred will be engraved on a granite plaque affixed to the church wall.
- The plaque will be updated on an annual basis.
- The fee for interment is $450.00. This includes engraving the memorial plaque, new plantings when necessary and the upkeep of the garden.
No urns or containers will be interred. A decorative urn will be available for use during the burial service.