Funerals & Memorial Services

February 25, 2020

In times of sorrow, our staff and our facilities can offer comfort. Here are some suggestions that can help when you’re faced with the details and decisions of planning a funeral or memorial service.

Notifying the Church

When death occurs, the co-pastors should be informed as soon as possible, so they can provide consolation and support to the family and friends. Contact the church office (216-321-2660) during normal business hours (8:30am-5pm M-F). If the loss occurs outside these times, please contact the Co-Pastors at the emergency pastoral number (216-319-3596.)

Types of Services

Services typically are held in the Sanctuary or a funeral home, but other arrangements can be made. Ceremonies and rites of fraternal, civic, or military organizations should occur at some other time or place. The pastor will meet with the family to discuss the type of service desired, scripture passages, music selections and the participation of others who might wish to eulogize the deceased.

Funeral Services: are for when the body or ashes of the deceased are present. To direct attention to God during the service , the coffin is closed before the service begins The coffin may be covered with a white funeral pall or with flowers, as the family directs.

Memorial Services: are similar to funeral services except that the body or ashes of the deceased are not present. The committal of the body may follow or precede the service, as preferred.

Interment: is the service of committal, usually held at the burial site. It generally accompanies either a funeral or memorial service, but may also stand alone, as the family prefers. Sentences of scripture are read, and the body is committed to its final resting place.

Time Needed

It usually takes at least two days to finalize arrangements for a memorial service or burial. The bulletin can be prepared and provided by the church.

Music

We can help you plan the music for the service. Musical participation by family or friends is welcome. Vocal or instrumental solos may also be desired. Some favorite hymns of faith include:

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
Amazing Grace
Be Still, My Soul
Blest Be the Tie
Blessed Assurance
Faith Is The Victory
For All the Saints Who From Their Labors Rest
It Is Well With My Soul
The Lord’s My Shepherd
O God, Our Help In Ages Past
O Love That Wilt Not Let Me Go
Rock of Ages, Cleft For Me
Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart
Sweet By and By

Order of Worship

While the order of worship for a funeral or memorial service contains some flexibility, it generally includes:

Organ or other Musical Prelude
Call to Worship
Hymn of Praise
Invocation and Lord’s Prayer
Scripture Readings
Meditation, personal reflections, and/or brief sermon
Prayers of Thanksgiving and Intercession
Creed or Other Affirmation of Faith
Hymn of Victory
Benediction
Organ or other Musical Postlude

Scripture Readings

Some favorite Scripture passages for funerals/memorial services include:

Isaiah 40: 1-11; 28-31
Isaiah 40:28-31
Isaiah 65:17-25
Ecclesiastics 3:1-15
Psalms 23
Psalms 46:1-5, 10-11
Matthew 5:1-12a
Luke 23:1-8
John 6:47-58
John 14:1-6, 25-27
Romans 8:14-23, 31-39
1 Corinthians 15:20-26
2 Corinthians 4:16 – 5:1
Ephesians 1: 11 – 2:1, 4-10

Biographical Information

Consider what type of information you want included in the service bulletin. Suggestions include: full name (include maiden name, military service – branch, title, rank, time of service); nickname; date and place of birth; hometown; date, person and place of marriage; education (degrees); children, grandchildren, other immediate family; career, special achievements, qualities, traits, memories; areas of service within the church, community, nation, world; favorite Bible verses, hymns, poems, or sayings. A photograph of your loved one is also appropriate.

Other Things to Consider

Flowers If you do not have arrangements for a funeral home, florist or burial plot, the pastoral staff can advise you. If you order flowers, they should be delivered to the place of the memorial service or funeral on the day of the service. Let the funeral director know what you want done with the flowers following the service.

Documents Information about the type and number of official documents you may need is generally available through the funeral home; banks often can advise you in the number and types of forms they will need. Your attorney, accountant or social worker can also be of assistance.

Newspaper Announcement Funeral homes will usually assist you in preparing the obituary. Requests for memorial gifts in lieu of flowers should be included in the newspaper notice. Donations to a charity or to the Forest Hill Church Endowment Fund are ways of having an ongoing memorial to the deceased; this may be mentioned in the announcement.

Housesitting If you need this during the service, let the church office know and the CARE group or reception coordinator will assist you.

Fees

A fee for the pastor is not mandatory. If you wish to make a monetary gift to the pastor(s), the usual minimum honorarium for each is $250.

The fee for the organist is $175 (plus $25 per extra rehearsal with soloists). If the church provides a vocalist or instrumentalist, the additional fee is $100.

Receptions

A reception of coffee, punch and cookies is available without charge for church members if the family wishes. Additional food (such as fruit trays, sandwiches, or cheese and crackers) is the family’s responsibility. Receptions for non-members are not provided by the church; but funeral reception coordinators and rental of our church facilities are available. The Office Administrator can schedule the church use and put you in contact with one of the coordinators.

Many grocery stores can provide food trays, including fruit, cheese and crackers, sandwiches, and sweets with 24 hours notice. The following local stores are able to provide this service:

Zagara’s
1940 Lee Rd, Cl. Hts. 216-321-7917
Dave’s
Severance Center 216-291-2300
2438 Cedar Rd. Cl. Hts. 216-229-2620
Giant Eagle
Cleve.Hts. 216-421-9063
Legacy Village 216-920-3300
Shaker Hts. 216-371-3700
South Euclid 216-382-6500
Heinen’s
University Hts. 216-382-4144
Shaker Hts. 216-921-6638

Grief Counseling

The pastors are available to talk with you and to help you through this difficult time. The Hospice of the Western Reserve (216-383-2222) regularly sponsors Grief Support Groups.

Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

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