Funerals
Having a Funeral at Grace Church
The clergy and people of Grace Episcopal Church extend their prayers and condolences to you upon the death of your loved one. We hope that these guidelines will help you to plan a funeral service within the liturgy of the Episcopal Church. To assist you, we have also developed a Funeral Planning Guide with suggested readings, psalms and hymns that is available through our Church office at 616-241-4631.About Funerals
The funeral service is a celebration of the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. We believe that baptized Christians share with Christ in his Resurrection and victory over death. This means that the funeral liturgy is an Easter liturgy and is, therefore characterized by joy. This joy, however, does not make human grief unchristian. The very love we have for each other in Christ brings deep sorrow when we are parted by death. Jesus himself wept at the grave of his friend Lazarus. So, while we rejoice that one we love has entered into the nearer presence of our Lord, we sorrow in sympathy with those who mourn.At the Time of Death
The death of a member of the Church should be reported as soon as possible to the parish, and arrangements for the funeral should be made in consultation with the Rector. Baptized Christians are properly buried from the church. The service should be held at a time when the congregation has an opportunity to be present.The Vigil Service
The family of the deceased may arrange with a minister of the parish, either priest or deacon, to hold a vigil service on the evening before the funeral. The vigil service may be held at a family member's home or at the funeral home. At the vigil service Holy Scripture will be read, prayers will be offered for the deceased and for those who mourn, and there will be a time of remembrance. At the time of remembrance, family and friends will have the opportunity to share stories and memories of the deceased. The emphasis at the vigil service is on the life the deceased lived here on earth.The Liturgy
The emphasis of the funeral liturgy is on the deceased's resurrected life with Christ. The order of service for funerals is according to the 1979 Book of Common Prayer, which has two funeral liturgies. The Rite I service uses traditional Elizabethan English, while the Rite II service uses a more contemporary idiom. The staff of Grace Church will prepare a bulletin so that the congregation may easily follow the order of service.The Holy Eucharist
In the Episcopal Church, the Holy Eucharist -- also called the Mass, Holy Communion, or the Lord's Supper -- is frequently celebrated as part of funeral and memorial services. The Holy Eucharist is our central sacrament, celebrating Christ's death and resurrection. A celebration of the Holy Eucharist as part of a funeral or memorial service reminds us that we also share with Christ is his death and resurrection. In the Eucharist, we also share in the heavenly banquet with the deceased and with those who have gone before.Scripture Lessons
Lessons from Holy Scripture are read at funeral services. You will be asked to choose two or three to be read at the funeral. At funerals without Holy Eucharist, two lessons are usually read, with a psalm read between them. At a funeral service in which the Holy Eucharist is celebrated two or three lessons, separated by a psalm and/or hymn, are usually read. At the Eucharist a Gospel lesson is always read by either a deacon or priest. When three lessons are used, the first is from the Old Testament and the second is from the New Testament, excluding the Gospel. When two lessons are used, the first may be from either the Old Testament or New Testament. The second lesson is from the New Testament, either an Epistle or Gospel. You may ask family members to read the first two lessons and/or the psalm.Eulogies
The Vigil service is the appropriate time for family and friends to share memories and stories about the life of the deceased. However, one family member or close friend may speak at the funeral service. The eulogy should be five to eight minutes in length and share reflections appropriate for a church service. The officiant at the funeral service will also preach. The purpose of the sermon is to relate the life and death of the deceased to the hope we have, even in the midst of sorrow, in the Resurrection of Christ.Music
The music at funerals must be sacred in nature. Hymns are normally drawn from the 1982 Hymnal. Hymns not found in the 1982 Hymnal may on occasion be used if the music can be secured and if copyright permission is granted. The musicians of Grace Church play at all funerals unless they give permission for another organist to play. Vocal and instrumental solos must be approved by the Director of Music of Grace Church. Music from tapes, compact discs, or karaoke-style music is not permitted.The Church Environment
The liturgical color for funerals is white. White is the color used for many of the great feasts of the Church and symbolizes the joy of the Resurrection. The frontal on the altar, the hangings on the lectern, the pall on the casket, and the ministers' vestments are all white. The banners on the wall do not change for a funeral but are the color of the current liturgical season: Blue for Advent, white for Christmas and Easter, purple for Lent, and green for the season of Pentecost. The paschal candle, which is lit at Easter, baptisms, and funerals, is placed by the body to symbolize the presence of Christ and the victory of light over darkness.Flowers
Flowers may only be placed in the two vases on the retable behind the altar. Other flowers may be placed in the narthex (entrance) of the church and in the Fellowship hall.The Body
The body of the deceased, as the temple of the Holy Spirit, is always treated with dignity and respect. When the body is present for the funeral, the casket is closed prior to the funeral. Prior to the funeral the casket is covered with a white cloth called a pall. The pall reminds us of the white garment of baptism and that the promises of baptism are fulfilled at our death. The cross and clergy preceed the casket into the church and family members may follow it if they wish. During the service the casket is placed at the steps of the altar and next to the paschal candle. At the conclusion of the service, special prayers of commendation are offered around the casket and the clergy preceeds the casket out of the church with the family following.A funeral service without a body is properly called a memorial service. It is conducted in much the same way as a funeral service with the exception that the prayers of commendation over the body are not used.
Cremation
Cremation is an acceptable and dignified way of treating the deceased's body. In a sense, cremation merely hastens the natural process of returning a body to ashes and dust. When the ashes, sometimes called "cremains," are present during the service, they are treated the same way as a body in a casket. They are placed on a table at the front of the church and covered with a small pall. They may be processed in and out of the church or they may be placed on a table before the service begins. The ashes may be interred before or after the funeral service or at a later date.Funeral Receptions
Funeral receptions are usually held in the Fellowship hall adjacent to the church. Large receptions may be held in the Undercroft. A group of Grace Church parishioners will work with you to plan the reception, order and serve the refreshments.Fee Schedule
| Organist | $100 |
| Priest | Honorarium |