Please check with us regarding our updated Covid protocols. (07/04/22)
If you require our funeral services please get in contact with the church office or our minister directly
Planningfor a Christian Funeral
“We are not alone, we live in God’s world. In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. Thanks be to God.” -from A New Creed ‘The death of a loved one is a time to recall the miracle of life, to give thanks for the life of the deceased, and to mourn the loss.…Empowered by Christ’s promise of resurrection, the Christian church faces the event of death, consoles the bereaved, celebrates the life of the deceased, and offers thanks to God. … In all situations the reality of loss needs to be acknowledged. In a Christian funeral the promise of hope is to be proclaimed: ‘In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone.’”
-from Celebrate God’s Presence: a Book of Services for The United Church of Canada
Thank you for inviting us to help create a Service of Remembrance and Celebration honouring the life of your loved one. The service can take the form of a Funeral with the casket present, or a Memorial Service with or without the ashes. The tradition has been to have a Service of Committal at the graveside following the Funeral or Memorial Service. However, the Committal Servicemay take place in the church, at the crematorium, at sea, or where the ashes are to be scattered. In some cases, the Committal Service may be held before the Memorial Service. The Funeral or Memorial Service is usually a brief service of the Word, including one or twoscripture readings, two or three hymns, a meditation/reflection, and prayers, with opportunities for personal words of remembrance and additional gifts of music. Ourminister will be pleased to help you choose appropriate hymns and readings. Anorganist will beavailable to lead the ministry of music, and achoir is usually present.It is suggested that an honorarium of $100 be paid to the organist. For services held in our church, we can provide a bulletin,including an Order of Service, and, if requested, a picture of your loved oneon the front.A donation of $25.00 is suggested. A photograph of your loved one and flower arrangementmay be placed in the sanctuary. A guest bookprovided by the family or funeral homeis usually placed in the foyer. Other photographs or meaningful symbols associated with the person’s life may be displayed in the church hall if there is to be a reception there. MembersofSt Paul'scongregationcanprovide the food for a reception following the service.A donation to St. Paul’s United Church Women (UCW) would be appropriate, based on $3.00 per personIn the event that the congregation is unable toprovide the reception, alternate arrangements maybe made with the Funeral Ministry Team. St. Paul’s Funeral Ministry Team can provide the following support: Arranging a private space for the family to gather before the service
Setting up the sanctuary and foyer, ie: arranging photos and flowers and guest book (provided by the family), bulletins and donation envelopes
Designating reserved seating for family
Providing ushers
Arranging and hosting the reception if requested
Friends and relatives, in honour of their loved one or friend,may wish to make a memorial donation to:
the work of St. Paul’s
St. Paul’s Memorial Fund
St. Paul’s Family Resource Institute
the Mission and Service Fund of The United Church of Canada
Have you thought about?
Music / Organist
Hymns
Scripture reading
Words of Remembrance
Bulletin
Food / Reception
Photos and Symbols
Flowers
Guest Book
Donations
We do not live to ourselves, and we do not die to ourselves. If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living. -Romans 14: 7 –9 An acknowledgement of the donation will be sent to the family. Envelopes for all memorial donations will be available, and charitable donation receipts will be issued at tax time. To contact the Funeral Ministry Team please speak to the minister or call the church office @ 902-477-3937
Approved by St. Paul’s United Church Unified Board: June 2016 173 Old Sambro Road, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3R 2H6 902-477-3937 Email: stpaulschurch@eastlink.ca. Website:stpaulsunitedchurchspryfield.ca