FUNERAL AND MEMORIAL SERVICE GUIDELINES 

General
The Rector, staff and membership at the Church of the Holy Communion are very mindful of the distressful circumstances that often exist at the time of loss of a family member or friend.  We accept our calling to be as understanding and compassionate as possible.  Be assured we are ready to assist you in every way we can and to minimize any complications that arise.

Funeral services are available to any active member of the Parish or their parents or children, or in other situations, at the discretion of the Rector.  Be aware that the Rector and/or the Vestry reserve the right to decline any request to perform such a service, without explanation.

Initial Contact and Schedule

It will be greatly appreciated if a call to the Church is made immediately after a decision is made by the family to request the use of the Church, because of potential schedule conflicts.

Initial contact should be made with the Church Coordinator, Cathy Heissenhuber, in the Church office, who will immediately notify the Rector and the Funeral Coordinator.  The Rector will meet with the family of the deceased at the earliest possible moment. 

Once a time and date for the service has been agreed upon an individual should be designated to represent the family in working out the details with the Funeral Coordinator.  In addition, a contact at the Funeral Home should be provided to the Church’s Funeral Coordinator.  Every attempt will be made to accommodate the desire of the family as to dates and times, but it must be recognized that other services or programs may be impossible to reschedule. 

The Service

The Church of the Holy Communion will perform the ‘Order for the Burial of the Dead’ in the Church, at either the Main altar or the Lady altar, which must be arranged with the Funeral Coordinator.  The service will be conducted in accordance with the 1928 Book of Common Prayer, without additions or substitutions.  Eulogies, poems and other supplemental material may not be included in the service without the prior agreement of the Rector.  Clergy, other than the Rector, may be permitted to assist in the service, at the sole discretion of the Rector, recognizing that the Rector retains the chief pastoral role. 

Music

The Church’s Director of Music and Organist or the Assistant Organist will serve as organist at all funerals and memorial services.  A substitute may be employed only if the Church’s Organist or Assistant Organist is not available and only with his/her personal and explicit agreement.  A repertoire of religious and classical music suitable for funeral services has been prepared from which the family may make selections.  Note that contemporary popular music is not permitted in the Church.  Solos or instrumental music may be played prior to the beginning of the service, but must not intrude on the flow and solemnity of the ritual to follow.  Such additions must be coordinated with the Organist in advance, and be approved by the Rector.

Floral or Other Decorations

The use of floral or other ornamentation or any other type of décor must be arranged with the Funeral Coordinator, who will involve the Altar Guild, and as necessary, the Rector.  Artificial flowers are not permitted.  Altar flowers are customarily retained for use the following Sunday, if that is acceptable to the family.  No décor that will alter or obscure any part of the sanctuary may be utilized.  No floral arrangements are allowed in the nave of the Church.  The charm of the interior of the church is its simplicity, and should be respected.  Floral arrangements may be displayed in the narthex provided they are placed so they do not interfere with the flow of worshippers moving in and out of the church

Photographs

Photography, recording and videotaping is permitted, with the following limitations.  Photographers/Videographers should be counseled to remain as inconspicuous as possible and flash photos should cease as the service begins.  No more than one photographer and one videographer shall be permitted.  The Church must be cleared of all photographic equipment within twenty minutes following the end of the service.

Fee Schedule (payable at the time of service)

BURIAL OFFICE FROM THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER
      
We ask that separate checks be written for costs as follow:

$200.00 made out to the clergy officiating (Bishop Ray R. Sutton, Father Jeff Baker or Father Kasey Gage)
$175.00 made out to the organist - Bob Riska or Chris Hoyt
$$50.00 made out to CHC for flowers (optional) 
All fees are due the day of the service.

Records

For the permanent records of the Church, it would be greatly appreciated if a photocopy of the Death Certificate could be provided to the Church Coordinator.

Use of Other Facilities

If the family should wish to hold a reception after the service, our parish hall, Miller Hall, is available for your use, as the church’s schedule and space allow.  Miller Hall holds a maximum of 100 people.  If you expect more than 100 people in attendance, other arrangements will need to be made for the reception.  The women of the church will provide the following:  coffee, tea, cookies.  Anything other than these items must be supplied by the family. 

Staff
Rector: The Right Rev. Ray R. Sutton                
Priest: Rev. Jeff Baker                                         
Priest: Rev. Kasey Gage                                              
Church Coordinator:  Cathy Heissenhuber                     
Funeral Coordinator: Mary Jane Mathieu
Organist: Bob Riska or Chris Hoyt