Thank you for inviting us to help create a Service of Celebration honouring the life of your loved one. As a Christian community we believe that the funeral or memorial service should be a service of worship centered on life, faith, and the eternal Spirit of God.
The following information is provided to assist you in planning a funeral or memorial service.
The death of a loved one is a time to recall the miracle of life, to give thanks for the life of the deceased, and to mourn the loss. The Bible reflects many emotional responses to the reality of grief, including anger, denial, guilt, lament, resignation, thanksgiving, and trust. Empowered by Christ’s promise of resurrection, the Christian church faces the event of death, consoles the bereaved, celebrates the life of the deceased, and offers thanks to God. In such ways, Christians affirm their belief that there is hope in death as in life, and that there is renewed life, in Christ, after death.
“In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us.
We are not alone. Thanks be to God”
-adapted from “Celebrate God’s Presence“
1. Fairview United Church is pleased to respond to requests to
lead funerals or memorial services for members, adherents,
or their families, and members of the wider community.
2. We encourage you to celebrate the service in the church,
which is an appropriate and meaningful place for funerals
and memorial services. We will also consider conducting
services at a funeral chapel or other locales.
3. Visitation may be held at the church. Please discuss this
arrangement with the minister as soon as possible.
4. Following the service, a reception provided by our United
Church Women (UCW) may be arranged and held in the
Church Hall upon request. Please contact Cheryl Walker
at 443-8010.
5. As a way of honouring your loved one, your friends and
family may wish to consider making Memorial Donations
to Fairview United Church. We would be pleased to
provide you with cards and envelopes.
6. If your loved one was a member of an organization that
traditionally holds a separate service of remembrance, it is
preferred that the service be held in the funeral home. If this
is not possible, please consult the minister. The wishes of
the family must be respected.
The Service of Worship
Funeral and memorial services are usually brief services of the Word. There may be 2 or 3 Scripture readings, hymns, a sermon / reflection, and opportunities for additional gifts of music, personal words of remembrance or a eulogy. For services held in our church we will provide a written Order of Service.
We encourage family and friends to participate in worship through the reading of Scripture, sharing stories of the deceased’s life and faith, and offering gifts of music. The minister will be pleased to help you choose appropriate readings, songs, hymns, etc.
Suggested Hymns for Your Consideration
The following are hymns found in our hymnbook, Voices United, that are suitable for a funeral or memorial service. You may wish to discuss other selections with the minister.
- When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
- Now Thank We All Our God
238 How Great Thou Art
- God Who Gives to Life Its Goodness
- Amazing Grace
288 Great Is Thy Faithfulness
- Love Divine
- May The God of Hope Go With Us
436 Abide with Me
497 Nearer, My God, to Thee
586 We Shall Go Out in Hope of Resurrection
635 All The Way My Saviour Leads Me
644 I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry
651 Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah
657 He Leadeth Me
- My Faith Looks Up To Thee
- What A Friend We Have In Jesus
675 Will Your Anchor Hold
703 In The Bulb There Is A Flower
705 For All The Saints
747 The Lord’s My Shepherd
To assist the church in providing this ministry to you, an honorarium is customarily paid to the staff members providing your funeral or memorial service.
The following guidelines may be helpful:
Minister $150.
Music Director $125.
Caretaker $ 50.
Soloist please arrange this with the soloist
Luncheon please arrange this with the UCW
Cheques are to be made payable to Fairview United Church
For information or assistance, please contact
Rev. Heather Fraser 443-7123
For additional information or to arrange an appointment with the minister, please contact the church.
