Funeral Policy

This document serves both as a guide to planning a Christ-honouring funeral or memorial service, as well as some prescriptions to help ensure this. Over four decades of conducting funerals at the church premises make the elders confident that such suggestions and stipulations will go a long way toward the funeral or memorial service to be one in which the beloved is honoured, the grieving are ministered to, and the Lord is glorified.

Eulogies

Literally the word means “a good word.” Eulogies are opportunities to recount the good things about a person’s life. Thoughtful eulogies appropriately honour the deceased and remind the grieving of the blessings of the person’s life.

The time for eulogies should be limited so as to make this time the most meaningful. With too many eulogies, the congregation can become distracted. We therefore request that, regardless of how many eulogies are given (including messages read by others), this time be limited to 25 minutes maximum. The custom of opening the floor to spontaneous eulogies is not practiced at Brackenhurst Baptist Church.

It is suggested that someone be standing by to help the grieving as they read the eulogy in the event that they are too overcome with emotion to be clear. The officiating pastor will be available to do so if desired.

We urge that eulogies be prepared beforehand as these are the most effectively communicated. Please stand at the pulpit and speak into the microphone. This ensures that everyone can hear the eulogy, and that the eulogy is recorded in the event that the family requests and audio recording of the service.

Songs and Special Requests

Singing can be a wonderful part of the service as singing praises to God is always appropriate.

It is best that the words be either printed on the program or on the overhead screen. It is also suggested that no more than two or, at the most, three songs be sung. Further, it is desirable for the songs to be familiar to the congregation and so some thought needs to go into the “singability” of a selection.

Of course, to have someone (or a group) sing a special item is also allowable, but this should include those who are either members of BBC or who are known by the church leadership. All items be approved by the officiating pastor.

A slideshow may be played on screen in memory of the deceased. Note that it is your responsibility to put the slide show together and to present it to the church office in advance. Speak to the officiating pastor if you have any questions in this regard.

Sermon

The preaching of God’s word is a vital aspect of the funeral/memorial service, for God’s word provides hope, comfort, and wisdom at all times, and particularly during times of grief. It should be accepted that the officiating individual will preach the gospel tactfully and without apology.

Time and Length of Service

Do not schedule a time for the funeral service until you have spoken to the funeral home. Further, please confirm with the officiating pastor as to whether the facilities and personnel will be available at the desired time. Every effort will be made to accommodate the wishes of the grieving family, but there may be rare times when the building just cannot be made available.

Generally, the service should be in proximity of 45 minutes to an hour with a maximum of 75 minutes. Of course, there are exceptions, but this time period is generally sufficient.

Casket, Flowers, and Photographs

Floral arrangements may be placed on the stage and the area surrounding the casket and the pulpit. Flowers are not provided by the church, and are placed at the family’s cost. Please arrange any special distribution of the flowers (e.g. if you plan to give them to a family member).

Photographs of the deceased may also be placed at the casket or on the stage.

The casket will remain closed throughout the service. In the event that you wish to have a viewing of the body, please arrange this before the service begins. Also, ensure that the funeral home has the correct address for the church and time for the service. Access to the building for the casket can be provided before the service begins.

Funeral Programs

Most funeral homes will provide a printed program as part of their services, but the family also has the option of working with the church office to prepare an appropriate program. Since many people keep these as a reminder of the service, printing the words for the songs in the bulletin is often a worthwhile exercise. Should you ask the church office to help with the programs, we will work closely with you and the officiating pastor to ensure that everything included is both correct (spelling, song lyrics, etc.) and appropriately God-glorifying. Please be aware that there may be a charge levied for program printing to cover the church’s costs.

Should you want the church office to assist you in preparing a funeral program, please provide the following information:

Date and time of the funeral service.
Date of birth and death of the deceased.
A coloured photograph of the deceased, should you want one included.
Any Scriptures that you would like included (optional).
Names of all pallbearers and relation to the deceased.
Names of songs to be sung.
Information regarding the procession to the cemetery if applicable.
Information regarding details for the post-service tea if applicable.
Details of any special thank yous that you would like printed in the program.

Tea

The church kitchen is normally available after the funeral service for tea. Please speak to the officiating pastor about your plans in this regard. If necessary, and upon request, the church will try to arrange kitchen workers for the tea, but please confirm this with the officiating pastor before the day of the funeral service arrives.

Suggested Order of Service

The order of service for funerals is not set in stone, and will no doubt vary from funeral to funeral. However, we provide the following as a basic guideline:

Welcome and opening
Song
Eulogies
Song
Message
Song