Funerals and Memorial Services at Springdale
The resurrection is a central doctrine of the Christian faith and shapes Christians’ attitudes and responses to the event of death. Death brings loss, sorrow, and grief to all. In the face of death, Christians do not bear bereavement in isolation but are sustained by the power of the Holy Spirit and the community of faith. The Church offers a ministry of love and hope to all who grieve. As this is the basis of a Christian funeral/memorial service defined by the Book of Order of the Presbyterian Church (USA), the Session of Springdale Presbyterian Church has set forth the following policies for funeral/memorial services that occur at the church.
General Provisions
1. If you have suffered the death of a loved one, you are encouraged to call the church office at
502-425-1760 immediately in order to schedule a meeting with a staff pastor to arrange the details of the service.
2. The date for a funeral or memorial service must be approved by the church office before scheduling it with the funeral home or announcing it to the public.
3 .A funeral service is a worship service in which a casket containing the body, or an urn containing the cremains, of the deceased is present.
4. A memorial service is a worship service in which no physical remains are present. A memorial service may take place before or after the remains have been interred.
5. A committal service is a brief worship service that may take place at the actual place of interment.
6. Either a funeral or a memorial service may also include a committal service. In some instances, only a committal service, with neither a funeral or memorial service at the church, is desired by the family.
7. Note that there is no smoking permitted anywhere within the buildings of Springdale Presbyterian Church.
Pastor/Officiant
8. The Pastor of Springdale Presbyterian Church will officiate at all Active Member and will ordinarily officiate at all non-Active Member funeral/memorial services and/or committals. In rare cases, another pastor may act as supervising pastor of non-Active Member services, as long as that pastor is a member of good standing in the PC(USA). The Pastor of Springdale Presbyterian Church must approve this request before the other pastor is contacted. The PC(USA) supervising pastor has discretion regarding whether a non-PC(USA) pastor may serve as a co-officiant in the service, and to what extent.
Service at the Church
9. Church members are encouraged to use the church for funeral/memorial services. Just as we are baptized by God in church and have been nourished by God through the church, so it is wholly appropriate that thanksgiving to God for our lives should be offered in church. In the Presbyterian tradition, a funeral/memorial service is considered a service of worship and will be approached with the dignity and joyful celebration accorded worship. Memorial services at Springdale Presbyterian Church must follow appropriate worship practices that are consistent with Presbyterian, Reformed theology and tradition. A typical order of worship will include the following: prelude and postlude, hymns and songs of praise and faith, scripture lessons from the Old and New Testaments, a message that expresses thanksgiving to God for the life of the deceased and reminds all of Christ’s resurrection and promise of eternal life, prayers of thanksgiving, and a benediction. In consultation with the Pastor, other elements, such as remarks from family members and friends, may be included in the service. The officiating Pastor shall make the final determination regarding the appropriateness of all elements of the service.
10. As indicated below, certain limited decorations or personal mementoes of the deceased may be placed within the sanctuary during the service. However, the sanctuary will prominently display both the baptismal font and the serving accessories of the Lord’s Supper, in their usual locations. These may not be removed.
Music
11. All music to be part of the funeral or memorial service will be appropriate for use within the framework of a Christian worship service. Determination of appropriateness of music selections is at the sole discretion of the Pastor, in consultation with the Music Director. As a general guideline, sacred music; or non-sacred music that nonetheless points toward God or which recognizes our eternal relationship with God; may be considered “appropriate;” however, final approval remains at the Pastor’s discretion. Music that directs attention to the deceased rather than to God, or music with lyrics (whether the lyrics are sung or the song is performed only instrumentally) that are inconsistent with general Christian moral/ethical teachings, as understood by the Pastor, will not be considered appropriate.
12. Except under unusual circumstances, the Music Director or Church Accompanist will perform all organ or piano music to be part of the funeral/memorial service.
13. Any request for another organist to perform during the service will be subject to review and approval of the Music Director.
14. When a substitute organist or accompanist is requested, the Music Director will be due a coordination fee for review, approval, and consultation with the other musician. This coordination fee is also due if the family wishes to have other musicians perform as part of the service without use of the organ or piano. If the family wishes to have other musicians or vocalists performing in conjunction with the organ or piano, additional fees may be due to cover necessary rehearsal times. Such fees will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the Music Director, in conversation with the couple. If there is no music of any kind planned for the wedding, there shall be no fees due the Music Director. Music fees are detailed below.
Cremation
15. Cremation is an entirely appropriate alternative for Christians. Orders of worship for the memorial service and/or committal remain the same in cases of cremation.
Casket/Cremains
16. The casket or cremains of the deceased may be present for the service and shall arrive at the church at least 45 minutes before the beginning of the service, unless the family has made arrangements for it to be onsite even sooner for visitation/viewing before the service.
17. In order that worship may focus on God and upon the gift of resurrection, rather than upon the earthly remains of the deceased, the casket will be closed during the service. A white pall will be placed over the casket during the service, symbolizing our baptism, our equality before God, and the joy of our inclusion in Christ’s victory over death.
Flowers
18. The use of flowers and other forms of decoration are not required and should be limited in order that they do not distract from the purpose of worship. A few simple flower arrangements adequately symbolizes God’s gift of new life. Other arrangements may be placed in the Gathering Space, or if being used for viewing and/or reception, in Klein Chapel or the Fellowship Hall.
Memorial Pictures, Photography, and Video
19. If the family wishes, one or two simple framed photographs of the deceased may be displayed in the sanctuary during the service. These may be placed on the Lord’s Table, provided they do not intrude upon the serving elements of the Lord’s Supper, which may not be moved and which must remain visible in their central location on the Table.
20. Larger photo displays of the deceased, videos, and slide shows are encouraged outside of the sanctuary and the worship service, appropriately located in the Gathering Space, or if being used for viewing and/or reception, in Klein Chapel or Fellowship Hall. Videos or slide shows featuring the deceased may be permitted within the service itself, provided it does not distract from the purpose of worship, and will be permitted at the sole discretion of the Pastor. Use of church video projection equipment must be made in advance during planning of the service with the church office.
21. During the service, still photography or videography will be permitted from the Choir Loft. Other discreet locations may be accepted, provided they are not a distraction to the purpose of worship, as determined solely at the Pastor’s discretion.
Bulletin
22. The church office staff will produce a basic bulletin for funeral or memorial services. Special requests, such as the inclusion of a photograph, poems, or other custom elements should be made as early as possible. Coordinate with the church office if bulletins will be prepared and provided by others.
Visitation/Viewing at the Church
23. The family may desire a time of visitation/viewing to take place at the church. In such cases, this would normally be located in the Gathering Space or Klein Chapel. This must be coordinated with both the funeral home and the church office. When visitation/viewing is desired immediately before the worship service, it shall conclude no less than 30 minutes before the scheduled service time. The immediate family will then have an opportunity for a final viewing and will then briefly step out of the Gathering Space while the casket is closed and the pall (if any) placed, and is moved into the sanctuary.
24. Regardless of whether visitation/viewing is scheduled at the church, the Pastor will meet briefly with the immediate family approximately 15 minutes before the service begins, offer prayer, and escort them into their reserved seats approximately five minutes before the service begins.
Military, Civil, and Fraternal Recognition, Rites, and Ceremonies
25. In secular/civil settings, caskets are sometimes draped with the national flag as a sign of respect and recognition of the honorable and faithful service to the nation rendered by the deceased, through the armed forces, police, fire-fighting, governmental, or other forms of public service. However, the national flag is not displayed in the sanctuary in recognition that it is a place of worship directed to the God of all nations and peoples. Therefore, in a funeral or memorial service which is a service of Christian worship, the casket is bare, or a white pall is placed over the casket during the service. The pall signifies baptism, and the equality of all God’s children regardless of national origin or elaborateness of the casket, and the hope of the resurrection. As is consistent with the practice of the majority of Christian tradition worldwide, a casket that is draped with a national or other flag will, with dignity and respect, have the flag removed (and, optionally replaced with a white pall) just before entering the sanctuary. After the service has concluded and immediately after the casket has been removed from the sanctuary, the pall (if present) will be removed and the flag will be replaced on the casket.
26. While flag-draped caskets are not appropriate during the actual service of Christian worship, the display of a properly folded national or other flag, included as part of a small display within the sanctuary of various elements symbolizing the life of the deceased, is appropriate.
27. Military, civil, fraternal, or similar honors or rites are appropriate outside the liturgy of the worship service, either before or after the service (for example, in the Gathering Space, on the lawn, at the funeral home during visitation, or at the cemetery). If any such honors or rites are to be performed during visitation/viewing at the church, the church office must be informed in advance, and the honor/rite must be complete no less than 30 minutes before the start of the service.
Committal Service
28. The Pastor is available to lead a committal service at any local place of interment, either in addition to a funeral/memorial service, or by itself. This very brief service typically includes scripture, prayers, words of committal, and a benediction. It does not include personal remembrances or other components of a funeral/memorial service, but may include military, civil, or fraternal rites as mentioned earlier.
Reception after the Service or Committal
29. The Fellowship Hall is available for a reception following a funeral, memorial, or committal service if the family requests. The church will provide punch and cookies (or coffee and tea) for a light reception at no charge to members. If the family wishes additional items, such as meat/vegetable/fruit trays or similar items, there will be a fee to offset their costs. If the family wishes a more substantial meal, they must make arrangements to have it catered by outside parties. Family members are always welcome to supplement the light reception with food provided by themselves.
30. The consumption of beer and wine as part of a reception on church premises is permitted.
31. Coordinate the anticipated number of reception guests, any A/V setup required, room arrangement, and other reception concerns, with the church office as soon as possible during planning.
Fees
32. There is no charge for use of the building for the services of individuals who are part of the “Springdale Church Family.” This includes individuals who are:
a. listed on the official roll of Active Members; or
b. regularly attending Ministers of Word and Sacrament; or
c. other regularly attending individuals;
AND
d. who exhibit both commitment to, and regular participation in, the life and activities of the congregation.
The “Springdale Church Family” includes the above individuals, as well as their legal spouse or otherwise recognized cohabitating partner; their minor and adult children; and any other cohabitating family members.
“Springdale Guest” fees shall apply to all other services.
33. There is no mandatory honorarium for the Pastor officiating the funeral, memorial, or committal service for the services of those who are part of the Springdale Church Family, although a voluntary honorarium is always appropriate. For all others, the fees identified below will apply.
34. The fees for the Music Director/Accompanist, applicable to all, are as identified below.
Fees Applicable to “Springdale Church Family” Services:
Use of Sanctuary $0; donation appreciated
Use of Fellowship Hall and/or Klein Chapel $0; donation appreciated
Pastor - Funeral or Memorial, no Committal $0; voluntary honorarium is appropriate
Pastor - Funeral or Memorial, with Committal $0; voluntary honorarium is appropriate
Pastor - Committal only $0; voluntary honorarium is appropriate
Light Reception (punch & cookies only) $0
Reception with sandwich/veg/fruit trays cost of trays
Custodial Fee $0
Fees Applicable to “Springdale Guest” Services:
Use of Sanctuary $200
Use of Fellowship Hall $100
Use of Klein Chapel (for service, instead of sanctuary)$100
Pastor Honorarium – Funeral or Memorial, no Committal $200
Pastor Honorarium – Funeral or Memorial, with Committal $250
Pastor Honorarium – Committal only $100
Light Reception (punch & cookies only) $100
Reception with sandwich/veg/fruit trays $100 plus cost of trays
Fees Applicable to All
Music Director/Accompanist – performing solo $150
Music Director/Accompanist, performing, coordinating with other musicians/vocalists $175-200
Music Director/Accompanist, non-performing, coordinating with other accompanist or other musicians/vocalists $100
General Provisions
1. If you have suffered the death of a loved one, you are encouraged to call the church office at
502-425-1760 immediately in order to schedule a meeting with a staff pastor to arrange the details of the service.
2. The date for a funeral or memorial service must be approved by the church office before scheduling it with the funeral home or announcing it to the public.
3 .A funeral service is a worship service in which a casket containing the body, or an urn containing the cremains, of the deceased is present.
4. A memorial service is a worship service in which no physical remains are present. A memorial service may take place before or after the remains have been interred.
5. A committal service is a brief worship service that may take place at the actual place of interment.
6. Either a funeral or a memorial service may also include a committal service. In some instances, only a committal service, with neither a funeral or memorial service at the church, is desired by the family.
7. Note that there is no smoking permitted anywhere within the buildings of Springdale Presbyterian Church.
Pastor/Officiant
8. The Pastor of Springdale Presbyterian Church will officiate at all Active Member and will ordinarily officiate at all non-Active Member funeral/memorial services and/or committals. In rare cases, another pastor may act as supervising pastor of non-Active Member services, as long as that pastor is a member of good standing in the PC(USA). The Pastor of Springdale Presbyterian Church must approve this request before the other pastor is contacted. The PC(USA) supervising pastor has discretion regarding whether a non-PC(USA) pastor may serve as a co-officiant in the service, and to what extent.
Service at the Church
9. Church members are encouraged to use the church for funeral/memorial services. Just as we are baptized by God in church and have been nourished by God through the church, so it is wholly appropriate that thanksgiving to God for our lives should be offered in church. In the Presbyterian tradition, a funeral/memorial service is considered a service of worship and will be approached with the dignity and joyful celebration accorded worship. Memorial services at Springdale Presbyterian Church must follow appropriate worship practices that are consistent with Presbyterian, Reformed theology and tradition. A typical order of worship will include the following: prelude and postlude, hymns and songs of praise and faith, scripture lessons from the Old and New Testaments, a message that expresses thanksgiving to God for the life of the deceased and reminds all of Christ’s resurrection and promise of eternal life, prayers of thanksgiving, and a benediction. In consultation with the Pastor, other elements, such as remarks from family members and friends, may be included in the service. The officiating Pastor shall make the final determination regarding the appropriateness of all elements of the service.
10. As indicated below, certain limited decorations or personal mementoes of the deceased may be placed within the sanctuary during the service. However, the sanctuary will prominently display both the baptismal font and the serving accessories of the Lord’s Supper, in their usual locations. These may not be removed.
Music
11. All music to be part of the funeral or memorial service will be appropriate for use within the framework of a Christian worship service. Determination of appropriateness of music selections is at the sole discretion of the Pastor, in consultation with the Music Director. As a general guideline, sacred music; or non-sacred music that nonetheless points toward God or which recognizes our eternal relationship with God; may be considered “appropriate;” however, final approval remains at the Pastor’s discretion. Music that directs attention to the deceased rather than to God, or music with lyrics (whether the lyrics are sung or the song is performed only instrumentally) that are inconsistent with general Christian moral/ethical teachings, as understood by the Pastor, will not be considered appropriate.
12. Except under unusual circumstances, the Music Director or Church Accompanist will perform all organ or piano music to be part of the funeral/memorial service.
13. Any request for another organist to perform during the service will be subject to review and approval of the Music Director.
14. When a substitute organist or accompanist is requested, the Music Director will be due a coordination fee for review, approval, and consultation with the other musician. This coordination fee is also due if the family wishes to have other musicians perform as part of the service without use of the organ or piano. If the family wishes to have other musicians or vocalists performing in conjunction with the organ or piano, additional fees may be due to cover necessary rehearsal times. Such fees will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the Music Director, in conversation with the couple. If there is no music of any kind planned for the wedding, there shall be no fees due the Music Director. Music fees are detailed below.
Cremation
15. Cremation is an entirely appropriate alternative for Christians. Orders of worship for the memorial service and/or committal remain the same in cases of cremation.
Casket/Cremains
16. The casket or cremains of the deceased may be present for the service and shall arrive at the church at least 45 minutes before the beginning of the service, unless the family has made arrangements for it to be onsite even sooner for visitation/viewing before the service.
17. In order that worship may focus on God and upon the gift of resurrection, rather than upon the earthly remains of the deceased, the casket will be closed during the service. A white pall will be placed over the casket during the service, symbolizing our baptism, our equality before God, and the joy of our inclusion in Christ’s victory over death.
Flowers
18. The use of flowers and other forms of decoration are not required and should be limited in order that they do not distract from the purpose of worship. A few simple flower arrangements adequately symbolizes God’s gift of new life. Other arrangements may be placed in the Gathering Space, or if being used for viewing and/or reception, in Klein Chapel or the Fellowship Hall.
Memorial Pictures, Photography, and Video
19. If the family wishes, one or two simple framed photographs of the deceased may be displayed in the sanctuary during the service. These may be placed on the Lord’s Table, provided they do not intrude upon the serving elements of the Lord’s Supper, which may not be moved and which must remain visible in their central location on the Table.
20. Larger photo displays of the deceased, videos, and slide shows are encouraged outside of the sanctuary and the worship service, appropriately located in the Gathering Space, or if being used for viewing and/or reception, in Klein Chapel or Fellowship Hall. Videos or slide shows featuring the deceased may be permitted within the service itself, provided it does not distract from the purpose of worship, and will be permitted at the sole discretion of the Pastor. Use of church video projection equipment must be made in advance during planning of the service with the church office.
21. During the service, still photography or videography will be permitted from the Choir Loft. Other discreet locations may be accepted, provided they are not a distraction to the purpose of worship, as determined solely at the Pastor’s discretion.
Bulletin
22. The church office staff will produce a basic bulletin for funeral or memorial services. Special requests, such as the inclusion of a photograph, poems, or other custom elements should be made as early as possible. Coordinate with the church office if bulletins will be prepared and provided by others.
Visitation/Viewing at the Church
23. The family may desire a time of visitation/viewing to take place at the church. In such cases, this would normally be located in the Gathering Space or Klein Chapel. This must be coordinated with both the funeral home and the church office. When visitation/viewing is desired immediately before the worship service, it shall conclude no less than 30 minutes before the scheduled service time. The immediate family will then have an opportunity for a final viewing and will then briefly step out of the Gathering Space while the casket is closed and the pall (if any) placed, and is moved into the sanctuary.
24. Regardless of whether visitation/viewing is scheduled at the church, the Pastor will meet briefly with the immediate family approximately 15 minutes before the service begins, offer prayer, and escort them into their reserved seats approximately five minutes before the service begins.
Military, Civil, and Fraternal Recognition, Rites, and Ceremonies
25. In secular/civil settings, caskets are sometimes draped with the national flag as a sign of respect and recognition of the honorable and faithful service to the nation rendered by the deceased, through the armed forces, police, fire-fighting, governmental, or other forms of public service. However, the national flag is not displayed in the sanctuary in recognition that it is a place of worship directed to the God of all nations and peoples. Therefore, in a funeral or memorial service which is a service of Christian worship, the casket is bare, or a white pall is placed over the casket during the service. The pall signifies baptism, and the equality of all God’s children regardless of national origin or elaborateness of the casket, and the hope of the resurrection. As is consistent with the practice of the majority of Christian tradition worldwide, a casket that is draped with a national or other flag will, with dignity and respect, have the flag removed (and, optionally replaced with a white pall) just before entering the sanctuary. After the service has concluded and immediately after the casket has been removed from the sanctuary, the pall (if present) will be removed and the flag will be replaced on the casket.
26. While flag-draped caskets are not appropriate during the actual service of Christian worship, the display of a properly folded national or other flag, included as part of a small display within the sanctuary of various elements symbolizing the life of the deceased, is appropriate.
27. Military, civil, fraternal, or similar honors or rites are appropriate outside the liturgy of the worship service, either before or after the service (for example, in the Gathering Space, on the lawn, at the funeral home during visitation, or at the cemetery). If any such honors or rites are to be performed during visitation/viewing at the church, the church office must be informed in advance, and the honor/rite must be complete no less than 30 minutes before the start of the service.
Committal Service
28. The Pastor is available to lead a committal service at any local place of interment, either in addition to a funeral/memorial service, or by itself. This very brief service typically includes scripture, prayers, words of committal, and a benediction. It does not include personal remembrances or other components of a funeral/memorial service, but may include military, civil, or fraternal rites as mentioned earlier.
Reception after the Service or Committal
29. The Fellowship Hall is available for a reception following a funeral, memorial, or committal service if the family requests. The church will provide punch and cookies (or coffee and tea) for a light reception at no charge to members. If the family wishes additional items, such as meat/vegetable/fruit trays or similar items, there will be a fee to offset their costs. If the family wishes a more substantial meal, they must make arrangements to have it catered by outside parties. Family members are always welcome to supplement the light reception with food provided by themselves.
30. The consumption of beer and wine as part of a reception on church premises is permitted.
31. Coordinate the anticipated number of reception guests, any A/V setup required, room arrangement, and other reception concerns, with the church office as soon as possible during planning.
Fees
32. There is no charge for use of the building for the services of individuals who are part of the “Springdale Church Family.” This includes individuals who are:
a. listed on the official roll of Active Members; or
b. regularly attending Ministers of Word and Sacrament; or
c. other regularly attending individuals;
AND
d. who exhibit both commitment to, and regular participation in, the life and activities of the congregation.
The “Springdale Church Family” includes the above individuals, as well as their legal spouse or otherwise recognized cohabitating partner; their minor and adult children; and any other cohabitating family members.
“Springdale Guest” fees shall apply to all other services.
33. There is no mandatory honorarium for the Pastor officiating the funeral, memorial, or committal service for the services of those who are part of the Springdale Church Family, although a voluntary honorarium is always appropriate. For all others, the fees identified below will apply.
34. The fees for the Music Director/Accompanist, applicable to all, are as identified below.
Fees Applicable to “Springdale Church Family” Services:
Use of Sanctuary $0; donation appreciated
Use of Fellowship Hall and/or Klein Chapel $0; donation appreciated
Pastor - Funeral or Memorial, no Committal $0; voluntary honorarium is appropriate
Pastor - Funeral or Memorial, with Committal $0; voluntary honorarium is appropriate
Pastor - Committal only $0; voluntary honorarium is appropriate
Light Reception (punch & cookies only) $0
Reception with sandwich/veg/fruit trays cost of trays
Custodial Fee $0
Fees Applicable to “Springdale Guest” Services:
Use of Sanctuary $200
Use of Fellowship Hall $100
Use of Klein Chapel (for service, instead of sanctuary)$100
Pastor Honorarium – Funeral or Memorial, no Committal $200
Pastor Honorarium – Funeral or Memorial, with Committal $250
Pastor Honorarium – Committal only $100
Light Reception (punch & cookies only) $100
Reception with sandwich/veg/fruit trays $100 plus cost of trays
Fees Applicable to All
Music Director/Accompanist – performing solo $150
Music Director/Accompanist, performing, coordinating with other musicians/vocalists $175-200
Music Director/Accompanist, non-performing, coordinating with other accompanist or other musicians/vocalists $100