prescottfuneralflowers

WHEN A LOVED ONE DIES...
PLANNING A MEMORIAL OR FUNERAL SERVICE

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When a loved one dies, a family is suddenly confronted with a multitude of decisions which must be made quickly and with care. Many of these decisions relate to the planning of a Christian service of worship to mark the passing of the deceased. To help families with some of these decisions, we offer the information on this web page. Some may wish to discuss the contents of this page with their families well in advance. Others may refer to this page after the death of a loved one, and prior to meeting with Pastor Kern to discuss service arrangements.

About Pastor Kern

In their time of grief, some families will prefer to have Pastor Kern select the hymns and scriptures for their loved one's service. Others will prefer to make a few, or all, of their own selections. For the latter, we have included on this web site, a basic worship order and lists of some suitable hymns and scripture passages.

BASIC ORDER OF SERVICES.  HYMNS AND SCRIPTURE CHOICES
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PURPOSES OF A CHRISTIAN SERVICE

The Christian faith triumphantly proclaims the victorious passage from bitter death to eternal life in God's keeping. It also bears witness to the redemptive love of God which stands with us, and cries with us, when we who are left behind must face the painful partings and tragedies of this earthly life. Through appropriate Biblical passages, prayers, and hymns, a Christian Funeral or Memorial service should help grieving families and friends get in touch with these vital truths of our faith--and derive hope and comfort from them.

Thanksgiving is another important aspect of a Christian service: Thanksgiving to God for the earthly life of the deceased, and thanksgiving for all that person has meant over the years to beloved family and friends. Christianity teaches that individual persons are both unique and precious to God. As such, in death as in life, it is important that we honor them, and bear witness to our thankfulness for them.

Also, the service should help a family commend their loved one into God's keeping. It should help them find a sense of peace, as they shift their focus from the earthly to the eternal spiritual identity of their loved one.

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SCHEDULING

The grieving family may call Pastor Kern to to set the date, time, and location of the service. Usually this is done as soon as possible, to meet newspaper and other deadlines. For services held with Pastor Kern, we will, upon request by the family, secure our Church Organist and a proffesional soloist. Following this initial contact, our minister will consult with the family to minister to their needs at this difficult time, including planning the service.

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CLERGY: It is the usual practice in our community to provide an honorarium to clergy for special services rendered in conducting funeral, memorial or committal services.
CHURCH ORGANIST: There is a set honorarium for the professional services of our Organist.
SOLOIST: Honorarium arrangements are made on an individual basis between the family and the soloist.

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TYPES OF SERVICES

A FUNERAL SERVICE takes place with the embalmed or cremated remains of the deceased present. Such services are usually held at our church, at the grave, or at the funeral home. 

A MEMORIAL SERVICE takes place when the remains of the deceased are not present. Such services are almost always held at our church. Except for providing a guest registry, funeral home involvement is not usually required at these services.

A COMMITTAL SERVICE takes place in conjunction with the interment of the embalmed or created remains of the deceased. This brief service may be combined with either of the above services, or held at a time and place totally separate from them.

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OPTIONS FOR SCHEDULING

LOCAL FUNERAL SERVICE--The service is conducted locally, immediately after which the remains are taken to a local cemetery where either a public or private Committal Service is conducted.

LOCAL MEMORIAL SERVICE--The service is generally provided for in any venue of your choice.  A Committal Service is held at a different time--generally private and on a day before the Memorial Service.

Pastor Kern will be glad to select one of Prescott professional soloists..all of who are strong in their faith.
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REMEMBRANCES

This portion of the service is often better when it seeks to be suggestive, rather than exhaustive, in commemorating and giving thanks for the life of the deceased. Here are several ways to add a more personal note to the service. A single item can be used, or several approaches can be combined.

A special poem(s) read in honor of the deceased [An assortment of poems is available in my office]
Statements of remembrance presented by family or friends--or read by Pastor Kern on their behalf
Eulogy by Pastor, developed from information provided by the family
An open invitation to the congregation for impromptu statements of remembrance
A moment of individual reflection, in silence or as the organist softly plays one or two stanzas of special music
Excerpts from family letters written by or to the deceased
Excerpts from "sympathy" letters received following the death
Biographical information, such as might be contained in an obituary

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Love is like the ocean is vast and forever,
and sorrow but a shadow that moves over the sea.
May the forever of Love, soon bear the grief of this hour away from your hearts.

Pastor Alan Kern of Prescott Arizona