Sample Funeral/memorial Service Planning Worksheet Template (Page 4 of 12) in pdf

This is entirely your choice. Most mortuaries have finely appointed chapels for funerals/memorial services.

Should I have the funeral/memorial service at Prince of Peace or at a mortuary?

If the service is to be held at the mortuary, they will handle all arrangements including the news releases,

What should I expect if I choose to have the funeral/memorial service at a mortuary?

the biographical brochure, the service bulletin, flowers, and setting for the service in their chapel. Music is

to be arranged with the assigned mortuary staff person, in consultation with your presiding pastor. The

mortuary will normally handle all financial arrangements, including the honorarium for the presiding pastor.

Your presiding pastor will help you plan the details of the service including the order of service, music and

What should I expect if I choose to have the funeral/memorial service at Prince of Peace?

service bulletins. In addition, the church staff can assist with planning an on-site reception. Often the pastor

works closely with the assigned mortuary staff person on other details such as flowers, guest books and

remembrance tables.

A visitation is an informal gathering for friends and family to express sympathy, view photographs/video

What is a visitation?

tribute and say goodbye. Typically the body of the deceased is present, usually in an open casket. This can be a

very important time in the grieving process.

May we have a visitation at the church the evening before the service, or must that take place at a

While most visitations take place at the mortuary, it may take place at Prince of Peace the afternoon or evening

mortuary?

before the service if there are no other events already scheduled in the sanctuary. In addition, a visitation time

can be offered at the church prior to the service.

If your reception is held at Prince of Peace,

the church office staff can assist you in planning a reception for

Who plans the reception following the funeral/memorial service?

guests following the service. One option is an afternoon fellowship reception that would include coffee,

tea, cookies, breads, etc. Another option is a light luncheon following a morning service.

The members of Prince of Peace are often available to assist in hosting a reception. There is a nominal charge to

help cover the costs of the food and refreshments. You are also welcome to cater the reception. Please consult

with the presiding pastor about your options and costs that may be incurred.

This is an honorable thing to do. Prince of Peace and any other organizations you choose are blessed when

What if I desire to have memorials gifts directed to Prince of Peace or other organizations?

memorials are directed to support their ministries and missions. The mortuary will be happy to include any

memorial designation(s) in the notices about the funeral service. All memorial gifts received by Prince of Peace

will be directed to the Prince of Peace Foundation to support a future ministry.

We can offer a recommendation for a florist, if desired. Flowers are an appropriate tribute in memory of a loved

How should I handle flowers for the service?

one. You may wish to request that people make a contribution to Prince of Peace or a charity of your choosing

in lieu of flowers. You should plan to remove flowers from the sanctuary or the mortuary following the service,

unless you make known your desire to leave the flowers for use in our ministry with shut-ins and our senior

residents’ centers.

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