Funeral Policy

The Liturgy for the dead is an Easter liturgy. It finds all its meaning in the Resurrection. Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we, too shall be raised…. This, however, does not make human grief unchristian. The very love we have for each other in Christ brings deep sorrow when we are parted by death. Jesus himself wept at the grave of his friend. So while we rejoice that one we love has entered into the nearer presence of our Lord, we sorrow in sympathy with those who mourn. ~ The Book of Common Prayer

The death of a person for any reason, after any length of time, and under any circumstances is a powerful time of emotion and rebuilding for family, friends, and loved ones. We the people of Trinity Episcopal Church seek to provide comfort, guidance, and hope during this time. A funeral is first and foremost a worship service. During this service we give thanks to God for the life of our loved one and we remember the promise and hope of the resurrection that we are given in Jesus Christ. For this reason, in the Episcopal Church a funeral service is referred to as a Burial of the Dead. 

To help you with your funeral planning please review the following policies of our congregation.

FOR YOUR HELP PLANNING

  • The use of the Church / Parish Hall is subject to approval / discretion of the Rector. 

  • No pets or animals, except for service animals*, are permitted in the church building or parish hall.

  • Any decorations used should be tasteful and appropriate for worship. They should not block any movement down the aisles, in the altar area, or in the entryway.

  • No flash photography or video recording during the service (opening greeting to dismissal). 

  • No smoking is permitted in any part of the church building or parish hall. This includes electronic cigarettes, vaping, and marijuana. 

  • Smoking is permitted outside of the parish hall building under the overhanging roof area. Cigarette butts should be properly disposed of in the smoker station.

  • Weapons are not permitted on church property.**

  • Our parish hall is available for a lunch or reception before or following the service.

  • Beverages or food items are to be brought into the parish hall before the service. 

  • Food and beverages are not permitted outside the parish hall.

  • Funeral services for members of Trinity Episcopal shall be officiated by the Rector unless other arrangements are made. Our Rector does not normally officiate funerals or graveside services for non members***. 

  • The Rector has final say in all music, scripture verses, etc. used during the service.

  • All funerals and gravesides officiated by our Rector shall follow the liturgy of the Book of Common Prayer. 

ARRANGEMENTS FOR WHICH YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE

  • If you would like a printed bulletin you must inform the Rector so copies can be made and printed in a timely manner before the service.

  • You are responsible for engaging a pianist, or other musicians. Don’t put this off—musicians are in high demand! If you would like Trinity’s musician to play please make arrangements with her as soon as possible.

  • Our sound system is not able to play recorded music. This includes but is not limited to CD’s, cassettes, bluetooth, USB ports, etc.

  • If you would like Holy Communion during the service please let the Rector know ahead of time so arrangements can be made for set up and clean up.

  • You are responsible for making arrangements with the church custodian or Trinity representative to get into the building for any preparation before the service.

  • All fees (if applicable) should be paid to the appropriate person (Rector, Musician, Custodian, Church Office, etc.) before the service.

  • You must complete and return to the church office (via email, physical mail, or drop off) a copy of Trinity’s Building Use Policy Page One & Page Two.

FEES
Use of the Church Building

There are no fees charged for the use of the church to members. The church should be returned to its normal arrangement for worship following the service/reception. For all others a donation is requested for use of the church. This shall be paid prior to the service as cash or check.

Custodial services

The Trinity custodian is available to assist with clean up following the funeral/luncheon. Clean up does not include set up or take down from events. You must speak with him in advance to make arrangements prior to the service. For all nonmembers a cleaning fee of up to $100, depending on services rendered, should be paid to the custodian prior to the funeral/luncheon.

Musicians

The Trinity pianist is available to play funeral services, please make arrangements with her as soon as possible. If you would like another musician to play, or if you have other musicians you would like to incorporate into the service, please speak with Trinity’s pianist as soon as possible. If you would like Trinity’s musician to play there is a fee of $150 to be paid before the service.

Officiating clergy

The Rector of Trinity will officiate at the funeral services of church members unless other arrangements are made. Other clergy may participate at the discretion of the Rector. There is no fee assessed by the Rector for officiating for members of Trinity. Trinity’s Rector does not normally officiate funeral services or graveside services for non members.

You should speak with any officiating clergy about their honorariums or any associated costs. Most honorariums are around $150.00. You can also speak with the funeral home you are working with (if applicable) to determine if a clergy honorarium has been included in the funeral costs.

*A service animal is any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability. Other species of animals, whether wild or domestic, trained or untrained, are not considered service animals. – From the Americans with Disabilities National Network (https://adata.org/factsheet/service-animals)

****This general prohibition includes visible or concealed weapons, even those for which the owner has a valid permit. Prohibited items include any form of weapon or firearm; dangerous or hazardous materials, devices or substances; as well as any other explosive materials that are illegal under federal, state, or local laws or ordinances.

***As per the Constitution & Canons of the Episcopal Church a member is defined as someone who has been baptized at Trinity, or been baptized at another congregation and transferred their membership who in the previous calendar year has been faithful to corporate (in person) worship, unless for good cause prevented, and have been faithful in working, praying, and giving for the spread of the Kingdom of God.

HYMN SUGGESTIONS

The following are suggestions that are readily available in our worship materials / hymnals. If you would like to view any of these when considering music please inform the Rector and copies can be provided to you. LEVAS corresponds to the Lift Every Voice and Sing Hymnal. Hymn numbers without LEVAS correspond to The Hymnal 1982.

  • 8 Morning has Broken

  • 208 The strife is o’er

  • 287 For all the saints

  • 293 I sing a song of the saints of God

  • 335 I am the bread of life

  • 473 Lift high the cross

  • 593 Lord, make us servants of your peace

  • 618 Ye watchers and ye holy ones

  • 620 Jerusalem, my happy home

  • 625 Ye holy angels bright

  • 637 How firm a foundation

  • 646 The King of love my shepherd is

  • 662 Abide with me

  • 671 Amazing grace!

  • 680 O God, our help in ages past

  • 688 A mighty fortress is our God

  • 690 Guide me, O thou great Jehovah

  • 691 My faith looks up to thee

  • 707 Take my life and let it be

  • 708 Savior, like a shepherd lead us

  • LEVAS 106 Precious Lord, take my hand

  • LEVAS 103 Steal away

  • LEVAS 188 When peace like a river

SCRIPTURE

During the service one to four readings are used. The following list is approved for use for Burial of the Dead. During the service a deacon, priest, or bishop reads the gospel. Lectors from among the congregation members can read the Old Testament, Psalm, and Epistle Reading. Family members of the deceased may also read the non Gospel readings but are not required to. Eulogies (sharing stories about the deceased) can be a very moving event for loved ones, but are best saved for before or after the service.

 Old Testament

  • Isaiah 25:6-9

  • Isaiah 61:1-3

  • Lamentations 3:22-26, 31-33

  • Wisdom 3:1-5, 9

  • Job 19:21-27a

Psalm Readings

  • Psalm 23

  • Psalm 27

  • Psalm 42

  • Psalm 46

  • Psalm 90

  • Psalm 106

  • Psalm 116

  • Psalm 121

  • Psalm 130

  • Psalm 139

Epistle Readings

  • Romans 8:14-19, 34-35, 37-39

  • I Corinthians 15:20-26, 35-38, 42-44, 53-58

  • II Corinthians 4:16-5:9

  • I John 3:1-2

  • Revelation 7:9-17

  • Revelation 21:2-7

Gospel Readings

  • John 5:24-27

  • John 6:37-40

  • John 10:11-16

  • John 11:21-27

  • John 14:1-6

If you would like to view any of these and do not have a Bible at home consider using the website: www.biblegateway.com. You can view the passages in a variety of translations. Please note the translation used by Trinity is the New Revised Standard Version Updated unless other arrangements with the Rector are made.