Funerals
A Service of Witness to the Resurrection
The resurrection is a central doctrine of the Christian faith and shapes Christians’ attitudes and responses to the event of death. Death brings loss, sorrow, and grief to all. In the face of death, Christians affirm with tears and joy the hope of the gospel. Christians do not bear bereavement in isolation but are sustained by the power of the Spirit and the community of faith. The church offers a ministry of love and hope to all who grieve. W-4.10001
When death comes, the church in its pastoral care immediately offers the ministry of presence, of shared loss and pain, of faith and hope in the power of the resurrection, and of ordinary acts of care and love. The church continues special pastoral care during the time of grieving and adjusting. W-6.3006
At Westminster Presbyterian Church, we see all of our funerals, memorial services, or remembrance services as services of Witness to the Resurrection. This is a beautiful service that balances the mourning with the witness to the promised life in Christ.
When death comes, the church in its pastoral care immediately offers the ministry of presence, of shared loss and pain, of faith and hope in the power of the resurrection, and of ordinary acts of care and love. The church continues special pastoral care during the time of grieving and adjusting. W-6.3006
At Westminster Presbyterian Church, we see all of our funerals, memorial services, or remembrance services as services of Witness to the Resurrection. This is a beautiful service that balances the mourning with the witness to the promised life in Christ.
Fees and Honoraria |
For Non-Members (there is special pricing for members)
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Typical Service Outline
Sentences of Scripture
Possible Hymn/Solo/Other Music
Remembrance/Eulogy/Reading of Obituary
Prayer
Possible Hymn/Solo/Other Music
[Confession and Pardon]
Readings from Scripture
Sermon/Homily
Possible Hymn/Solo/Other Music
Affirmation of Faith
Possible Hymn/Solo/Other Music
Prayers of Thanksgiving, Supplication, and Intercession
Lord's Prayer
Commendation
Possible Hymn/Solo/Other Music
Blessing
Procession (Psalm, Hymn, or Biblical Song)
Possible Hymn/Solo/Other Music
Remembrance/Eulogy/Reading of Obituary
Prayer
Possible Hymn/Solo/Other Music
[Confession and Pardon]
Readings from Scripture
Sermon/Homily
Possible Hymn/Solo/Other Music
Affirmation of Faith
Possible Hymn/Solo/Other Music
Prayers of Thanksgiving, Supplication, and Intercession
Lord's Prayer
Commendation
Possible Hymn/Solo/Other Music
Blessing
Procession (Psalm, Hymn, or Biblical Song)
List of Suggested Scripture Readings
from the Presbyterian Book of Common Worship
Old Testament*
New Testament Epistles
- Job 19:23-27 I know that my redeemer lives
- Isa. 25:6-9 God will swallow up death forever
- Isa. 26:1-4, 19 God will keep them in peace
- * Isa. 40:1-11, 28-31 Comfort my people
- * Isa. 40:28-31 Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength
- Isa. 43:1-3a, 18-19, 25 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you
- Isa. 44:6-8 I am the first and the last
- Isa. 55:1-3, 6-13 Ho, everyone who thirsts`
- Isa. 61:1-4, 10-11 The spirit of the Lord is upon me
- * Isa. 65:17-25 I create new heavens and a new earth
- Lam. 3:19-26, 31b-32 The Lord's steadfast love
- Dan. 12:1-3 Many of those who sleep in the dust shall awake
- Joel 2:12-13, 23-24, 26-29 Return to the Lord with all your heart
- Zech. 8:1-8 Children playing in the streets of the city
- * Isa. 65:17-25 I create new heavens and a new earth
- Eccl. 3:1-15 For everything there is a season
- Lam. 3:1-9, 19-23 The Lord's steadfast love
- 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 the Most High
- * 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. 139:1-12 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 Epistles
- Rom. 5:1-11 Hope does not disappoint
- Rom. 6:3-9 Baptized into Christ's death, raised to live with him
- * Rom. 8:14-23, 31-39 Nothing can separate us from the love of God
- * Rom. 14:7-9, 10b-12 Whether we live or die, we are the Lord's
- 1 Cor. 15:3-8, 12-20a Christ raised from the dead
- 1 Cor. 15:20-24a In Christ shall all be made alive
- * 1 Cor. 15:20-26, 35-38, 42-44, 50, 53-58 Death is swallowed in victory
- 1 Cor. 15:35-44 The natural body and the spiritual body
- 1 Cor. 15:50-57 We shall all be changed
- * 2 Cor. 4:16-5:1 Visible things are temporary, invisible things eternal
- 2 Cor. 5:1-10 From God we have a house not made with hands
- Eph. 1:11-2:1, 4-10 Saved by grace through faith
- Phil. 3:7-11 Knowing him and the power of his resurrection
- Phil. 3:20-21 Our citizenship is in heaven
- Col. 3:1-17 Set your minds on the things that are above
- * 1 Thess. 4:13-18 The comfort of Christ's coming
- 2 Tim. 2:8-13 If we died with him, we shall also live with him
- Heb. 2:14-18 Christ was tested in every way
- Heb. 11:1-3, 13-16; 12:1-2 Faith, the pilgrimage, the cloud of witnesses
- 1 Peter 1:3-9 2; 4:6 Christ's ministry to the spirits in prison
- 1 John 3:1-3 We are children of God
- Rev. 7:2-3, 9-17 These are they who have come out of the great tribulation
- 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
- Rev. 22:1-5 The Lord God will be their light
- Rom. 2:12-16 The law written on the heart
- * Rom. 14:7-9, 10c-12 None of us live to ourselves
- Matt. 5:1-12a The Beatitudes
- Matt. 11:25-30 Hidden from the wise, revealed to infants
- Matt. 25:1-13 Wise and foolish bridesmaids
- Matt. 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 away
- 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
- * Matt. 18:1-5, 10 The greatest in the kingdom of heaven
- * Mark 10:13-16 Let the children come to me
- Matt. 25:31-46 As you did it to one of the least of these