Funeral Planning at Calvary Lutheran Church
First of all, we are so sorry for your loss. We will all miss your loved one who has died. The following is information that you might find helpful in planning a funeral at Calvary as well as information that the church staff needs to plan the funeral.
The Funeral Service
The funeral service that we will use for the funeral is found on pp. 279- 285 in Evangelical Lutheran Worship.
Day and time of funeral?
Prayer or family service before?
Scripture Texts for the Funeral.
You may choose two or three scripture passages for the funeral, usually one from the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), one from the New Testament lessons and/or one from Old Testament. The following are suggestions with a short quote, but please read carefully to make your choices.
Gospels
Matthew 6: 25-34: God cares for the bird and flowers
+++Matthew 11: 25-30: Come all who are weary
Luke 12: 35-40: Be prepared for the Lord’s coming
+++John 6: 37-40: I will raise them up on the last day
John 10: 1-18: I am the good shepherd
John 11: 21-27: I am the resurrection and the life
John 12: 23-26: Unless a grain of wheat falls…
John 14: 1-6: In my Father’s house are many rooms
New Testament Lessons
Romans 5: 1-11: We have peace with God through Christ
Romans 8: 31-35, 37-39: Nothing can separate us from Christ
I Corinthians 15: 20-26: In Christ shall all be made alive
I Corinthians 15: 50-57: Death is defeated in Christ
Philippians 3: 20-21: Our citizenship is in heaven
+++I John 3: 1-2: We are God’s children now
Revelation 7: 9-17: Behold a host all dressed in white
Revelation 21: 2-7: He will wipe away every tear
Old Testament
Psalm 23: The Lord is my shepherd
Isaiah 25: 6-9: He will swallow up death forever
Isaiah 61: 1-3: Oil of gladness instead of mourning
Job 19: 23-27a: I know that my Redeemer lives
+++Lamentations 3: 22-26, 31-33: God’s love is steadfast
+++Especially appropriate for the burial of a child
Music for the Funeral
You can choose three hymns for the funeral. The Evangelical Lutheran Worship has a section called “Funeral” on p. 1182, Christian Hope in hymns 313-352, as well as many others that are listed under Heaven, Hope and Assurance in the ELW index on p. 933. Certainly, you may want to choose hymns that were favorites of your loved one who has died.
Russ Bunker, our Music Ministry Coordinator and Organist is available to accompany the hymns and special music.
You may choose a soloist for one or two solos in the funeral service or we can help you to choose a soloist and the musical pieces they will sing.
LUNCH AFTER THE FUNERAL
Calvary is pleased to serve a light lunch after the funeral; see options below. Donations to Calvary WELCA (Calvary Women) are appreciated to cover cost. Please call the Calvary Funeral Meal Coordinator, Jill Shipman at 218-346-5395 or 218-371-5909 as soon as possible to arrange the menu and quantity.
+Hot dish with cake and beverages
+Sandwich with cake, beverages
+Special requests considered upon availability
Miscellaneous
We would love to have flowers from the funeral to commemorate your loved one as part of our next Sunday worship service. Of course, we cannot guarantee that the flowers will last until Sunday.
You should know that a beautiful funeral pall is available to drape over the casket. The pall is an ancient symbol of baptism.
Memorials can be designated to many different causes. Many are choosing the Calvary Mission Endowment Fund as a perpetual gift that would enable ministry beyond the ordinary operation of the church. The principle is never spent, only the interest.
FUNERAL PREFERENCE WISH LIST
This Wish List should be considered only a planning tool. In addition to jotting down your notes here, be sure to discuss your wishes with your loved ones and then to write them out at length.
Preferred Disposition Of The Body: _____ Burial _____ Cremation
If circumstances allow, I wish to be an organ donor: _____Yes _____ No
Preferred Funeral Home______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Preferred Wake and Visitation Arrangements
Preferred Location For Funeral Or Memorial Service
Church_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Funeral Home_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Other______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Preferred Service Provider-Homilist_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Preferred Readings___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Preferred Readers____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Preferred Hymns_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Preferred Pall Bearers________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Preferred Final Resting Place or Disposition of Ashes
Preferred Epitaph
Obituary Notes