Funerals provide an opportunity to honor those who have died in Christ and to remember our hope in resurrection. We have hosted many funeral services and this page is intended to guide families and individuals thinking about an upcoming funeral.
Funeral Service
A funeral service provides the family an opportunity to grieve, remembering those who have died, while pointing those who remain to the hope of Christ, his resurrection, and promised return.
A funeral service generally lasts one hour, contains Scripture readings, hymns, eulogies or tributes, and a short sermon.
Sample Order of Service
Prelude
Worship in Song
Prayer of Invocation
Reading
Eulogy/Tribute
Slideshow
Worship in Song
Sermon
Worship in Song
Announcements and Benediction
Hymn Selections
Songs can be chosen from the Hymns of Grace hymnal with the Psalms for Singing psalter. Popular songs include:
Amazing Grace
Be Thou My Vision
Great Is Thy Faithfulness
How Great Thou Art
Psalm 23
It Is Well With My Soul
Scripture Readings
A Scripture reading can be a favorite passage of the departed or one that directs those who remain to timeless truth. Popular Scripture passages include:
Psalm 23
Psalm 51
1 Thessalonians 4:13–18
Lamentations 3:19–26
Hebrews 4:14–16
Romans 8:28–39
John 14:1–7
1 Corinthians 15:1–11
Sermon Texts
A funeral service includes a short exhortation from God’s word. Sermons are generally 15 minutes and can be based on any text of Scripture. It is common to preach on texts like 1 Corinthians 15, John 11, and John 14 which speak of resurrection hope.
Reception
After the funeral service there is typically a reception where family, friends, and guests greet one another with words of condolences and sharing of memories. Some families choose to have this catered while others opt to invite our church family to provide food and drinks through the kind service of the ladies of our congregation.
Graveside
Burial rather than cremation is Scripture’s pattern for honoring those who have died. Following the funeral service it is common that family, friends, and guests travel to the cemetery for a short graveside service. Once all have arrived, it is typical to read 1 Corinthians 15 and offer a prayer before the casket is lowered into the ground.
Other Services
Besides the funeral service and reception, our church also helps families with flower arrangements and printed programs. Please reach out to us for details.
Planning & Next Steps
If you are planning a funeral or pre-planning for your funeral, here are some items you should consider. Once you’ve considered these things, feel free to reach out to us and we would be happy to assist you further.
1. Choose a funeral home with casket and burial plot.
A funeral home has the necessary licensing to transport a body from the morgue to cemetery. While our church can host the service and reception, a funeral home is still needed for details such as casket, burial plot, and transport. Prices vary, so seek a few quotes or options.
2. Pick elements for the funeral service.
Using the information above, select songs and Scripture readings that make the funeral service personal while directing everyone to Christ and his gospel.
3. Reach out to us.
Once you’ve made your choices concerning funeral homes or elements in the funeral service, reach out to us so that we can work with you on the remaining details. If this is preplanning for your own funeral, we’ll keep your requests on file.
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18