memorial services at mipc

Our Christian faith shapes not only our beliefs about death, but also how we celebrate the life of the one who has died. The name of the service on the occasion of death is The Service of Witness to the Resurrection, reflecting our fundamental belief that, in Christ, death has been conquered, and the promise of eternal life is affirmed.

Memorial services can be scheduled by contacting one of MIPC’s pastors or Volunteer Coordinator Ruth Ann Biggers.

Guidelines

As a Presbyterian congregation, we follow the guidelines for services that are outlined in the ‘Directory for Worship’ found in our Book of Order:

In the face of death, Christians affirm with tears and joy the hope of the gospel. Christians do not bear bereavement in isolation but are sustained by the power of the Spirit in the community of faith. The church offers a ministry of love and hope to all who grieve…Plans should provide for arrangements that are simple, which bear witness to the resurrection hope, and in which the Christian community is central. (W-4.10000-4.10002)

The Officiating Pastor

Ordinarily one of MIPC’s pastors will officiate at all memorial services performed in the church building. We welcome the participation of other Presbyterian ministers and clergy of other denominations and faiths in our services. If you desire that another member of the clergy assist in a service, please discuss your request with the officiating pastor from MIPC. In all instances, the officiating pastor makes the final decision and issues the invitation if it is appropriate. In the case of inter-religious services, various practices and traditional activities of other faiths and spiritual paths may be included as long as they are consistent with a Christian understanding of the Service of Witness to the Resurrection.

Time of the Service

The officiating pastor must agree to the date and time of a service before a final decision is made. The church building is not available during federal or church holidays. There may be other times when the sanctuary or other spaces are not available because of previously scheduled events.

Place of the Service

Memorial services at MIPC are usually held in the sanctuary or the Fireside Room. Services may be held in other rooms, but the officiating pastor makes the final decision on the appropriateness of the setting. MIPC’s sanctuary seats approximately 400 people, and the Fireside Room seats 35-40.

Interment Services

For placement of an urn in in a columbarium (in MIPC’s Remembrance Garden or elsewhere) or for ground burial, the family may elect to arrange with the officiating pastor for a separate time of interment with family and close friends either before or after the memorial service.

The Remembrance Garden

MIPC maintains this meaningful space on our grounds with both Cenotaph (engraved stone plates only) and Columbarium (compartments for urns containing ashes of the deceased) options. Please visit the Remembrance Garden page for detailed information.

The Memorial Service

The Service of Witness to the Resurrection is one which worships God, gives thanks for the life of the deceased, and affirms the promises of eternal life we have in Jesus Christ. The officiating pastor from MIPC will meet with the family to plan the service and will give final approval to the order and content of the worship service.

A typical order of service includes:

Prelude
Call to Worship & Opening Prayer
Hymn
1-3 Formal Remembrances from Family & Friends
Reading from Scripture
Brief Sermon
5-7 minute Slideshow of Photos (created by the family)
Prayer of Thanksgiving & the Lord’s Prayer
Hymn
Commendation & Benediction
Postlude

Hymns and Music

Hymns or songs of significance to the deceased or the family can be included in the service if they are appropriate to the setting. Other meaningful music may also be included within the order of service. MIPC’s minister of music and/or the organist, in consultation with the officiating pastor, can discuss music selections with the family and arrange for necessary musical support.

Possible hymns include: (taken from the purple Glory to God hymnal; lyrics are also accessible through a web search)

Abide with Me #836
Be Still My Soul #819
Be Thou My Vision #450
For the Beauty of the Earth #14
Great Is Thy Faithfulness #39
How Great Thou Art #625
I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry #488
In the Bulb There Is a Flower #250

Scripture Readings

The memorial service includes one or more readings of Scripture, and passages of significance for the deceased or their family can be included.

Possible readings include:

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8; 9-15 For everything there is a season.
Isaiah 25:6-9 God will swallow up death forever.
Isaiah 40:28-31 Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength.
Isaiah 43:1-4a, 18-19 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.
Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd.
Psalm 27:1, 4-9a, 13-14 The Lord is my light and my salvation.
John 14:1-6, 25-26 In God’s house are many dwelling places; let not your hearts be troubled.
Romans 8:14-23, 31-39 Nothing can separate us from the love of God.
Revelation 21:1-7 I saw a new heaven and a new earth.

Preparing for the Service

Memorial Coordinator

Memorial services that take place in the sanctuary usually involve the participation of a memorial coordinator from MIPC. The memorial coordinator handles logistics for the service, enlisting necessary staff members, reception coordination (if needed) and volunteers. In addition, the coordinator works with the family to display memorabilia, arrange for flower delivery and placement, and to host the space for the family and all who attend the service. The officiating pastor from MIPC will decide whether or not the size and scale of a service require a coordinator.

Worship Bulletins

MIPC provides simple, color bulletins at no cost containing a photo of the deceased, the order of the service and names of the participants, an invitation to any reception and/or to offer memorial contributions. As space allows, the obituary of the deceased and/or other meaningful text may be included. The family may also choose to supply their own bulletin from an outside vendor so long as it reflects content agreed upon with the officiating pastor.

Guest Book

Families may choose to use a guest book for worshipers to sign as they enter the service, providing a record of those present. The family should provide the book.

Recording the Service

When the service is held in MIPC’s sanctuary, the family can request to arrange for a technician from MIPC to Livestream the service on the church’s YouTube page. This technician must be hired in addition to the standard AV technician.

Reception

Upon request, MIPC will host a reception following the service, usually in the Courtyard or the Gym, depending on the number of guests. The memorial coordinator from MIPC will enlist a separate reception coordinator who will, in turn, arrange for volunteers from the church to host the reception. MIPC provides a simple spread of coffee, tea, punch and cookies. The family may choose to offer additional food and drink options through an outside caterer as agreed upon with the memorial and reception coordinators. MIPC does not allow alcoholic beverages on church property.

Fees for Memorial Services

AV Technician (required for sanctuary services) | $200
Livestream Technician (optional—available for sanctuary services only) | $200

In addition to services provided on the day of the memorial service, additional media work may be requested for $50/hr.

Pianist or Organist (optional) | $250
Memorial Coordinator (if needed) | $250
Reception Coordinator (if needed) | $250

The following items are provided at no cost when the deceased was a member of MIPC:

Building Use Fee | $300
Custodial Service | $150
Pastoral Honorarium | $300

The officiating pastor or memorial coordinator will facilitate the payment of all necessary fees prior to the service with cash, check, or Venmo (as available).

A Final Word

Please know that MIPC’s Caring Ministry staff, including the pastors, Congregational Care Coordinator Marla Briggs, and Volunteer Coordinator Ruth Ann Biggers are available to come alongside you at every stage of your life’s journey, including making preparations for your death or in planning a memorial service for your loved one. Please feel free to contact any of them for information, assistance or to clarify your wishes.

May the peace of Christ, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty: Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer, remain with you always. - Philippians 4:7, adapted