SAINT MATTHEW UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Planning a Funeral or Memorial Service  (Print this document)

Dear Friends,

We know that planning the details of a funeral or memorial service can be overwhelming, and we would like to assist you in any way we can. It is our hope that this information will be helpful to you.

As Christians, we grieve as those who have a unique hope in the risen Christ, thus empowering us to mark the occasion of death as a time in which the hope of the Gospel is reaffirmed with joy and peace. A United Methodist service acknowledges this hope and offers family and friends the opportunity to remember a loved one’s life and offer them into God’s care. The service should be a time to celebrate the wonderful gift God gave to us in our relationship with the deceased.

The properly planned service can be a benediction and a comfort to us, as well as a witness to our faith. Please know we are here for you and welcome the opportunity to be of assistance to you and your family.

If you have questions regarding Funeral and Memorial service planning or our Grief Ministries, please contact Rev. Michael Eaton at 480-838-7309, or .

Key Contacts

PastorRev. Michael Eaton(480) 838-7309
OrganistSteve Edman(480) 838-7309
MultimediaBill Stone(480) 838-7309
Coordinator(480) 838-7309

1. Prior to the death.

Our ministers consider it a sacred privilege to come and pray with you during this difficult event. If time and circumstances allow, please call the church office (480-838-7309) and notify us of your situation. One of our ministers will make every effort to come pray with you and your family.

2. When your loved one dies

When your loved one passes away, please call the church office at 480-838-7309. If possible, one of our ministers will come to be with you.

3. Setting the date and time for the service.

Our ministers are happy to help you plan a meaningful service to celebrate the life of your loved one. If you wish for one of our ministers to assist in planning and leading the service, please visit with them before you schedule the service date and time.

To avoid any potential conflicts, our minister will review the building use calendar before a final service time will be set. Please know that every effort will be made to accommodate the wishes of your family.

4. Planning the service.

An important early step in planning the service is to gather your family together at home or the church to visit with the minister leading the service. This is a valuable time to share stories and favorite memories of your loved one. Many families comment that this type of gathering proves to be very helpful and comforting.

During this gathering, try to recall your loved one’s favorite scriptures and hymns. Further down, you will find a list of hymns and scriptures appropriate for funerals and memorial services.

Important questions to consider:

What type of service do you desire? Some options to consider are:

  • A graveside service followed by a memorial service
  • A traditional funeral service followed by a graveside service
  • A memorial service only (in this type of service the body is not present.)
  • A graveside service only

Where will the service (s) be held?

  • In our sanctuary?
  • In our chapel?
  • At a funeral home/cemetery?

5. Costs.

During your visit with the pastor, he will convey any costs involved.

6. Memorials.

Memorial gifts are a special way to honor a loved one. If you are interested in learning more about memorial gift opportunities at St. Matthew, please discuss this with the minister.

In addition, we are happy to work with you to include other memorial gifts to organizations such as the American Cancer Society, etc., on the back of the service program.

7. Important questions and concerns.

Topics to discuss with the funeral home:

  • Casket and casket container
  • Cemetery lots
  • Flowers
  • Processional to cemetery
  • Scheduling a visitation time
  • Obituary in the newspaper and deadline for submission

8. Flowers.

The flower is a symbol of the resurrection of our Lord and is a appropriate way to honor a loved one.

We ask that the funeral home or family take responsibility for the removal of all flowers upon the completion of the service.

Questions regarding floral arrangements should be directed to the Funeral/Memorial Service Coordinator.

9. Music.

If the service is to be in our sanctuary or chapel and music is requested, the officiating minister will contact our Director of Music to make arrangements.

When a loved one dies, people often find themselves at a loss for words. Music can unveil a dimension of meaning and feeling that words alone cannot yield. Since music plays a significant part in our lives, it is natural that the church involves music at the service designed to remember and celebrate the life of your loved one. Here are suggestions to assit you at this difficult time.

Funerals and memorial services are occasions to sing the great music of the church that witness to the Lord of life.

The pastor, organist, or Director of Music will help you determine if a song is appropriate for this service of celebration.

Soloists and/or instrumentalists are frequently included in funerals or memorial services. Professional instrumentalists can be secured by the music staff, but please understand there will be a performance fee. While it is acceptable to have a friend or relative provide such music, they should have the musical abilities necessary and the emotional strength to sing or play at a time when they may be grieving. Music, in addition to congregational hymns, can certainly enhance this service of celebration, but it is optional and family members should not feel obligated to arrange for it.

Prelude

The organist/pianist will provide 10-20 minutes of pre-service selections from classical and sacred literature.

Congregational Hymns

Congregational singing is encouraged as it involves everyone and gives expression to the faith we hold. It is usually wise to select one or two hymns that are more commonly known.

Many congregational hymns can also be sung as solos. All music selections should give glory to God and witness to our hope in Jesus Christ. We have listed some of the hymns you might consider for use in the service.

Opening Hymns

• A Mighty Fortress Is Our God No. 110
• Christ the Lord Is Risen Today No. 302
• Fairest Lord Jesus No. 189
• For All the Saints No. 711
• God of Grace and God of Glory No. 577
• Great Is Thy Faithfulness No. 140
• How Firm a Foundation No. 529
• How Great Thou Art No. 77
• Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee No. 89
• Love Divine, All Loves Excelling No. 384
• My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less No. 368
• Praise to the Lord, the Almighty No. 139

Hymns of Hope and Comfort

• Abide with Me No. 700
• Amazing Grace, How Sweet the Sound No. 378
• Be Still, My Soul No. 534
• Beneath the Cross of Jesus No. 297
• Blessed Assurance No. 369
• Blest Be the Tie That Binds No. 557
• Children of the Heavenly Father No. 141
• Hymn of Promise No. 707
• I Love to Tell the Story No. 156
• In the Garden No. 314
• It Is Well with My Soul No. 377
• Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross No. 301
• Jesus Loves Me No. 191
• My Faith Looks Up to Thee No. 452
• On Eagles’ Wings No. 143
• Precious Lord, Take My Hand No. 474
• Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me No. 361
• Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us No. 381
• Shall We Gather At the River No. 723
• Soon and Very Soon No. 706
• Surely the Presence of the Lord No. 328
• What a Friend We Have in Jesus No. 526

Closing Hymns

• Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah No. 127
• Lead On, O King Eternal No. 580
• Lift High the Cross No. 159
• O God, Our Help in Ages Past No. 117
• Thine Be the Glory No. 308

Suggested Solos

• Amazing Grace No. 378
• How Great Thou Art No. 77
• Hymn of Promise No. 707
• It Is Well With My Soul No. 377
• Lord of the Dance No. 261
• On Eagles’ Wings No. 143
• Surely the Presence of the Lord Is In This Place No. 328
• Psalm 23
• Safe Within His Arms
• The Lord’s Prayer

10. Suggested Scriptures

Listed below are scriptures appropriate for use in a memorial service or funeral service.

Old Testament

• Job 19:23-27 I know that my redeemer lives
• Isaiah 25:6-9 God will swallow up death forever
• Isaiah 26:1-4,19 God will keep them in peace
• Isaiah 40:1-11, 28-31 Comfort my people
• Isaiah 40:28-31 Those who wait for the Lord shall renew
• Isaiah 43:1-3a, 18-19m 25 When you pass through the waters
• Isaiah 44:6-8 I am the first and the last
• Isaiah 55:1-3, 6-13 Ho, everyone who thirsts
• Isaiah 61:1-4T The spirit of the Lord is upon me
• Isaiah 65:17-25 I create new heavens and a new earth
• Lamentations 3:19-26, 31b-32 The Lord’s steadfast love
• Joel 2 (sel.) Return to the Lord with all your heart

Psalms

• Ps. 16:5-11 The Lord is my chosen portion
• Ps. 23 The Lord is my shepherd
• Ps. 27:1, 4-9a, 13-14 The Lord is my light and my salvation
• Ps. 39: 4-5, 12 Lord, let me know my end
• Ps. 42:1-6a As a deer longs for flowing streams
• Ps. 43 Give judgment for me, O God
• Ps. 46:1-5, 10-11 A very present help in trouble
• Ps. 90:1-10, 12 Teach us to number our days
• Ps. 91 The one who dwells in the shelter of
• Ps. 103 Bless the Lord, O my soul
• Ps. 106:1-5 O give thanks to the Lord
• Ps. 116:1-9, 15 The Lord has heard my voice
• Ps. 118 Open the gates of righteousness
• Ps. 121 I lift up my eyes to the hills
• Ps. 130 Out of the depths I cry to the Lord
• Ps. 139:12 Where shall I go from your spirit
• Ps. 145 I will extol you, O God my King
• Ps. 146 Hallelujah! praise the Lord, O my soul

New Testament

• Matthew 5:1-12a The Beatitudes
• Matthew 11:25-30 Hidden from the wise, revealed to infants
• Matthew 25:1-13 Wise and foolish bridesmaids
• Matthew 25:31-46 The Last Judgment
• Luke 7:11-17 Jesus raises the son of the widow of Nain
• Luke 18:15-17 We enter the kingdom only as children
• Luke 23:33, 39-43 Today you will be with me in Paradise
• John 3:16-21 God so loved the world
• John 5:24-29 Whoever hears and believes has eternal life
• John 6:37-40 Anyone who comes to me I will never drive
• John 6:47-58 Whoever believes in me has eternal life
• John 11:17-27 I am the resurrection and the life
• John 11:38-44 Lazarus raised from the dead
• John 14:1-6, 25-27 Let not your hearts be troubled
• Romans 5:1-11 Hope does not disappoint
• Romans 6:3-9 Baptized into Christ’s death, raised to live
• Romans 8:14-23, 31-39 Nothing can separate from the love of God
• Romans 14:7-9, 10b-12 Whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s
• 1 Corinthians 15 (sel.) Christ raised from the dead
• 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:1 Visible things are temporary, invisible things
• 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 From God we have a house not made with
• Ephesians 1:11-2:1, 4-10 Saved by grace through faith
• Philippians 3:7-11 Knowing him and the power of his resurrection
• Philippians 3:20-21 Our citizenship is in heaven
• Colossians 3:1-17 Set your minds on the things that are above
• 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 The comfort of Christ’s coming
• 2 Timothy 2:8-13 If we died with him, we shall also live with him
• Hebrews 2:14-18 Christ was tested in every way
• Hebrews 11-12 (sel.) Faith, the pilgrimage, the cloud of witnesses
• 1 Peter 1:3-9 Without seeing Christ, you love him
• 1 Peter 3:18-22; 4:6 Christ’s ministry to the spirits in prison
• 1 John 3:1-3 We are children of God
• Revelation 7:2-3, 9-17 These are they who have come out of the
• Rev. 14:1-3, 6-7, 12-13 Rest for the saints
• Rev. 21:1-4, 22-25; 22:3-5 A new heaven and a new earth

11. Multimedia.

Multimedia greatly enhances a service such as this. At a minimum, a sound engineer will set up the necessary microphones and operate the sound board during the service. Also at a minimum, a slide creator/video operator will create slides for the Order-of-Service, including all parts spoken and sung by those in attendance. This provides consistent text for all in attendance, regardless of their denomination affilation and variation on words.

Optionally, most families like to include a “Memories Slideshow” of photos of the person and family, with music background. This needs to be kept to no more than 50 slides. The slide creator/video operator will build this so it will run on our equipment.

Optionally, based on availability of one of our camera operators, the service can be video recorded and a DVD will be provided to the family as a keepsake.

Optionally, based on availability of one of our camera operators, the service can be live-streamed via a private connection to relatives and friends that can’t attend in person. This allows them to watch the service on their computer, tablet, or smartphone. Most families appreciate this option.

12. Sample Order-of-Service.

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Gathering 

The Word of Grace 

Greeting 

Prayer

Hymn “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” UMH 89 

Bible Reading Isaiah 40:11-8

Psalm 23

Special Music “Just A Closer Walk” arr. Lojeski

Bible Reading 2 Corinthians 4:5-18 

Special Music “If We Hold On Together” J. Horner/W. Jennings 

Bible Reading John 14 (selected verses) 

Memories Slideshow (optional, family photos depicting the life being celebrated.) 

Remembrances (those in attendance reflect on the life being celebrated. Can be predetermined participants, and/or a roaming wireless microphone.)

Message 

Prayers of Commendation and Thanksgiving 

The Lord’s Prayer 

Hymn “Hymn of Promise” UMH 707

Parting Blessing

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13. Funeral Homes in and around Mesa (Partial list.  None are endorsed by St. Matthew)

Falconer Funeral Home
251 W Juniper Ave.
Gilbert, AZ 85233
(480) 397-0366
Funerals, cremation

Legacy Funeral Home Chandler
1374 N Arizona Ave.
Chandler, AZ 85225
(480) 447-9635
Cremation

Funeraria Melcher Mortuary Chapel of the Roses
43 S Stapley Dr.
Mesa, AZ 85204
(480) 964-4537
Funeral, cremation, cemetery

Lakeshore Mortuary
1815 S Dobson Rd.
Mesa, AZ 85202
(480) 838-5639
Funeral, cremation, cemetery

Melcher Mortuary Mission Chapel & Crematory
6625 E Main St.
Mesa, AZ 85205
(480) 832-3500
Funeral, cremation, cemetery