Funeral Policies
Zion Evangelical
Lutheran Church
Enola, PA
Although funeral services may be held in funeral homes, the best place for
conducting a funeral service upon the death of a church member is in the
sanctuary of the church to which he or she belonged.
At such times of loss, all may be reminded by even the place of
service of what our hope and assurance are in Jesus Christ.
Therefore, all members of Zion are encouraged to use the church
building for funeral services, and its sanctuary is offered for the funeral
services of Christians whose membership in the church is in some other
locality as well.
There can be alternative methods for
the conducting of services at the time of death. These could include a
private graveside service for family members as soon after death as possible
and/or a public service of worship (memorial service) conducted at the
church later.
The
pastor is available to go with the family to the funeral home to assist in
making arrangements if desired.
The
pastor will be happy to meet with the family to plan any funeral worship
arrangements or, if it is the desire of the family, she/he will develop the
funeral liturgy.
Dates and
times for funerals at Zion are to be arranged in consultation with the
pastor based on availability and the preferences of the deceased’s family.
Pastoral ethics require that Zion’s pastor conduct all funeral services held
at Zion, unless by agreement with another pastor, he/she is invited to share
in the funeral or act on behalf of the pastor of Zion.
Any requests for another pastor or lay person to officiate or assist
in the service must be approved by Zion’s pastor.
A
funeral service held in the church is a service of worship, celebrating the
deceased’s life and the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ.
Consequently, all parts of the service are to be consistent with the
present worship practices of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and
Zion Lutheran Church.
Generally, the outline for the funeral and burial service as found in
Evangelical Lutheran Worship will be followed.
The family may suggest other items to be included in the service,
with the approval of the pastor.
The
celebration of the Sacrament of Holy Communion, shared in community around
the familiar center of the table, is full of healing power for those who
grieve. This sacrament is the
gracious sign of the completion of baptism, the foretaste of the heavenly
banquet, and the anticipation of all the faithful reunited before God and
Christ, the Lamb of God.
Therefore, it is appropriate to share Holy Communion as part of the funeral
service. All those gathered for
the service will be invited to the Table.
Family participants as readers and communion assistants in the liturgy are
welcomed.
Sometimes pastors are asked to be involved at the funerals
of people from other churches.
Zion’s policy is that the responsibility and authority for pastoral acts or
services rests with the pastor of the congregation where the deceased held
membership. If Zion’s pastor is
asked to provide pastoral services for members of other congregations,
she/he will contact the clergy of the church in which the person held
membership before providing the service.
The pastor who performs a service for a member of another
congregation is obligated to provide information regarding that pastoral act
or service performed to the pastor of the congregation in which the person
held membership. If the request
for pastoral service involves an individual who has had conflicts with
his/her pastor or congregation, the immediate family will be urged to
resolve the difficulty prior to receiving pastoral service.
Conducting funerals for people who have no connection with the church is a
normal part of the ministerial obligation.
However, it is usually inappropriate to hold such a service in the
church, and not all the parts of the service (i.e. references to baptism)
may be appropriate. By certain
omissions and choices of alternate selections this service may be adapted
for such funerals.
Music performed at a service of Christian burial is understood as an act of
worship, offered to God in devotion, thanksgiving and praise.
Therefore, all music used during the funeral service (including
prelude and postlude) must be sacred in nature and approved by the pastor
and the Director of Music. The
pastor will consult with the family regarding special requests for music to
be used during the service.
Services by Fraternal Orders, Lodges etc.
Services by fraternal orders, lodges, veterans groups or other organizations
are not appropriate at a Lutheran funeral service.
If they are held, they should be limited to the funeral home or
graveside, and must be coordinated with the pastor prior to the service.
Such services are not to
be confused or combined with the burial office and committal.
Paraments on the altar, lectern and pulpit will remain the color of the day
or season.
Families may wish to display the deceased’s cremains, as well as certain
mementos or photographs of the deceased and his/her family.
The following guidelines would be applicable in these situations:
Only
fresh cut flowers and planters may be used in the sanctuary.
Flowers may be left for use on the altar for Sunday worship services
only if the flower calendar is vacant for that Sunday.
Contact the church’s Flower Coordinator for more information.
Other flower arrangements may be left for placement other than on the
altar.
All
caskets must be closed for the burial service, but may be open during the
viewing (or preceding the viewing, for the family only), if desired.
When closed, the church' funeral pall covers the casket (see below).
The casket remains closed throughout the service.
When the service is in a funeral parlor or private house, the casket
is closed and in place before the liturgy begins.
The funeral director shall be instructed concerning such matters as
timing, closed caskets, music, flowers, etc.
The
coffin is to be placed in the position with the feet toward the altar. The
position reflects the accustomed role of the deceased in the church --
facing the altar as part of the congregation. The paschal candle, which
symbolizes Christ’s triumph over the powers of death, is lit and placed near
the casket as a reminder of the deceased’s baptism into Christ.
The
congregation will provide a funeral pall to be placed over the casket during
the service. The pall recalls the white robe given in Baptism, the robe of
Christ's righteousness. The pall further has democratizing value, for it
prevents both the display of a costly casket and embarrassment at a simple
one. This action of placing the pall over the casket will take place prior
to the liturgy. The pall will be
the only thing covering the casket while in the church building.
Under
normal conditions, the church does not provide a nursery for funeral
services.
Parking assistance is generally provided by the funeral home.
The church does not have any resources to assist in traffic control
on city streets or highways.
When
available, the church will do everything possible to accommodate requests
for a family fellowship meal following a funeral service.
The Women of Zion will prepare the meal.
Family members will be given contact information.
If the family wishes to provides its own food, the Fellowship Hall
may be used with prior approval.
Those requesting a funeral luncheon may choose from either a hot or cold
buffet, as follows. The family
will be responsible for the cost of those items indicated with an asterisk
(*).
Please
note: No fee is charged for any items other than those outlined above, nor
is there any cost for preparation and serving;
however, free will donations are accepted.
The Women of Zion provide this service as a ministry in the spirit of
Christian love. Their mission is
to serve all people willingly and pleasingly, inspired and led by God.
If
bulletins are to be given out during the service, they will be prepared by
the church secretary.
In
certain circumstances, the family might request a trust fund or contribution
to a charitable organization in lieu of flowers.
These arrangements must be made with an organization outside the
church. The church will not
manage, receive or distribute designated funds for an outside institution.
Undesignated funds and funds designated for an established project at Zion
will be received by the church as part of the Memorial Fund.
Funds designated for a project or ministry not previously established
will be designated for such only with approval by the Congregation Council.
If the deceased or a member of their immediate family (parent, step-parent,
child, step-child or spouse) is a member of Zion, there is no fee for the
use of the facilities. For all
other individuals, additional fees may be assessed.
Those who have been members of Zion but now are considered inactive
members will pay non-member fees.
Fees are payable (by cash or check made payable to “Zion Lutheran
Church”) on the day of the funeral.
Normally, fees for the pastor and organist are paid through the
funeral director.
The following fees apply:
| Member | Non-Member | |
| Use of Church | No fee | $100 |
| Pastor | Honorarium | Honorarium |
| Organist | ||
| Service | $125 | $125 |
| Work with Soloist | $35 additional per soloist | $35 additional per soloist |
| Sexton | $50 (upstairs only) | $50 (upstairs only) |
| $100 (upstairs and Fellowship Hall) | $100 (upstairs and Fellowship Hall) | |
| Sound System Operator | $10 | $10 |
| Use of Fellowship Hall | $100 | |