The Service of Death and Resurrection

 
"I am the resurrection and the life.  Whoever believes in me shall never die." -- John 11: 25-26

The Service of Death and Resurrection is a service of worship that expresses gratitude to God for the life of the one who has died and bears witness of our hope that because Christ has been raised from the dead, we too will be raised to new life in him. We worship in the assurance that “neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” It is also a service in which we acknowledge the pain and sorrow of death, even as Jesus wept by the grave of his friend, Lazarus.

We view the service for the burial of the dead as a solemn moment in the life of the Church, reminding us all of our physical mortality. But we also see this time as one in which we can be reminded to give thanks again to God for caring about us enough to send His Son that we might have the gift of eternal life. In this way the central focus of the service is on the worship of God and the hope of resurrection.

WHEN DEATH OCCURS: When the death comes, the pastors should be called at once to represent the presence of the church and to provide comfort and prayer. All arrangements for the funeral or memorial service should be made in consultation with the pastor.

SERVICES AT THE CHURCH: Because the funeral is a service of Christian worship, the most appropriate place for Christian people to gather for The Service of Death and Resurrection is in the Sanctuary or the Laurie Ray Memorial Chapel.

PASTORAL MINISTRY: One or more of our pastors will lead the service, depending on their availability and the request of the family. Other clergy are welcome to participate by invitation of the family and pastor.

MUSIC AND THE SERVICE: It is appropriate to sing hymns at the burial of the dead. The selection of hymns, prayers, scripture and other details of the service is done in consultation with the clergy and the organist.

PALL FOR THE COFFIN: A pall to cover the coffin during the service in the Church is provided by the Altar Guild. It symbolizes our baptism and reminds us of our identity as disciples of Jesus Christ. It is placed over the coffin when it is brought into the Sanctuary. Therefore, flowers are not placed on the coffin. The pall is not to be taken to the funeral home or gravesite.

WITNESSES TO LIFE: As a way of giving thanks to God for the life of the person who has died, one or more family members or friends are welcome to share their personal word of witness about the person who has died. These persons should be carefully selected in consultation with the pastor. At the family's request, the pastor may also open the service for brief words of witness from the congregation. Family members or friends may also participate in the service by reading the scripture lessons.

THE BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE: records the names of those in whose memory gifts have been given to the Church. From this fund, permanent additions are made to the Church to enhance its worship and work.

FUNERAL EXPENSES: While expenses in connection with the funeral are for the family to decide, please remember that it is fitting to keep funeral expenses to a minimum. There is no charge for the use of the sanctuary or chapel or for the service of the clergy and organist. Donations to the church or an honorarium may be given, but are not required. If guest musicians are invited to participate in the service, an honorarium is expected.

CREMATION: This is in keeping with the Church's teaching about death. In such cases, the service is held in the Church either before or after the burial of the ashes. The Memorial Garden is available for the interment of the ashes of church members and their families.

FLOWERS: Flowers may be brought to the church and are arranged as they are appropriate in the chancel, lobby, and courtyard.

The Memorial Garden is available as the final resting place for the ashes of church members or their immediate family.

The interment may occur prior to the service in the sanctuary, immediately following the service, or at a time selected by the family in consultation with the pastor.

WHO MAY USE THE GARDEN? As a direct extension of our life together in the church family, the garden is available for members of Hyde Park United Methodist Church and their immediate family.

WHAT ARE THE COSTS? The family makes a donation of $200 to cover the cost of the bronze plaque that is placed on the sanctuary wall. Donations are also accepted for the ongoing maintenance and care of the garden.

ARE THE ASHES IN CONTAINERS? No. The ashes are placed directly in the soil without containers, as the liturgy says, "ashes to ashes, dust to dust." This also allows for the most effective use of the space within the garden. Ashes may be place in a biodegradable napkin or cloth.

MAY I MAKE ADVANCED PREPARATIONS? Yes. Any member of Hyde Park United Methodist Church may make prior arrangements for interment in the Memorial Garden through the Church Administrator's office.

WHAT IS ENGRAVED ON THE PLAQUE? The name plaques contain the full name, date of birth and date of death. They are all the same design, bearing witness to our common place in the family of God.

MAY FLOWERS BE PLACED IN THE GARDEN? Yes. The Altar Guild provides a vase where individual roses may be placed in memory of a person buried there. The rose is placed there on Sunday and the name of the person being remembered is listed in the worship bulletin in the same way that persons are remembered by placed flowers in the chancel. Artificial flowers may not be placed in the garden.

If you need additional information or have further questions, please contact one of our pastors.