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
Planning for 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 grave side following the Funeral or Memorial Service. However, the Committal Service may 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 two scripture readings, two or three hymns, a meditation/reflection, and prayers, with opportunities for personal words of remembrance and additional gifts of music.
Our minister will be pleased to help you choose appropriate hymns and readings. An organist will be available to lead the ministry of music, and a choir 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 one on the front. A donation of $25.00 is suggested.
A photograph of your loved one and flower arrangement may be placed in the sanctuary. A guest book provided by the family or funeral home is 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.
Members of St Paul's congregation can provide 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 person In the event that the congregation is unable to provide the reception, alternate arrangements may be 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
Have you thought about?
- 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: [email protected].
Website: stpaulsunitedchurchspryfield.ca
“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 grave side following the Funeral or Memorial Service. However, the Committal Service may 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 two scripture readings, two or three hymns, a meditation/reflection, and prayers, with opportunities for personal words of remembrance and additional gifts of music.
Our minister will be pleased to help you choose appropriate hymns and readings. An organist will be available to lead the ministry of music, and a choir 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 one on the front. A donation of $25.00 is suggested.
A photograph of your loved one and flower arrangement may be placed in the sanctuary. A guest book provided by the family or funeral home is 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.
Members of St Paul's congregation can provide 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 person In the event that the congregation is unable to provide the reception, alternate arrangements may be 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
- 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
- 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: [email protected].
Website: stpaulsunitedchurchspryfield.ca
