End of life planning can be an emotional, complex, and daunting task. But it can be so important to your loved ones, by relieving them of difficult decisions in their time of loss and morning.
A Planning Guide For a Thoughtful Death
Click here to download a comprehensive checklist document that can help you plan for your eventual death and provide your survivors with information to simplify the process of settling your affairs.
Planning Your Celebration of Life
"The liturgy for the dead is an Easter liturgy. It finds all its meaning in the resurrection. Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we, too, shall be raised.
The liturgy, therefore, is characterized by joy, in the certainty that “neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
This joy, however, does not make human grief unchristian. The very love we have for each other in Christ brings deep sorrow when we are parted by death. Jesus himself wept at the grave of his friend. So, while we rejoice that one we love has entered into the nearer presence of our Lord, we sorrow in sympathy with those who mourn. " Book of Common Prayer
Planning Steps
The liturgy, therefore, is characterized by joy, in the certainty that “neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
This joy, however, does not make human grief unchristian. The very love we have for each other in Christ brings deep sorrow when we are parted by death. Jesus himself wept at the grave of his friend. So, while we rejoice that one we love has entered into the nearer presence of our Lord, we sorrow in sympathy with those who mourn. " Book of Common Prayer
Planning Steps
- View this example of a Celebration of Life service bulletin
- Funeral Planning Form - This form lets you plan your end of life service, by selecting your preferred music and reading. The form will be kept on file at the Church office and can be update at any time.
- Arrange a meeting with Susan to review your plan
- If you plan to be interned in the Memorial garden, arrange a time to select a location.
Funeral Reception Options
After meeting with clergy to make funeral arrangements, please let our facilities manager know if reception set-up is needed. The following options are available:
Please note that families should arrange for flowers, if so desired, for the service and/or reception.
- For all funerals: Ice Tea, Water, Lemonade and Coffee will be set out by our facilities staff unless you request otherwise. Funeral receptions are typically brief; therefore limiting the reception offerings to drinks is perfectly acceptable.
- Families can cater the reception themselves. Please let our Facilities Manager, know how many tables should be set up for you. Be sure to ask your caterer to arrange the food on the tables upon their arrival or designate a family member to do so. Our facilities staff will have drinks, small clear plastic plates, forks and napkins available for you.
- For members of St. Christopher’s, our Celebration of Life Reception Ministry can coordinate sandwiches and cookies for you. Contact Mari Abbate at [email protected] if you choose this option. Mari maintains a list of people who enjoy bringing food to the ‘saints’ of the church. Assisted by Cary Koontz, Mari will email or call these folks for the deceased’s family. Our facilities staff will set out drinks, plates, forks and napkins as per #1 above.
Please note that families should arrange for flowers, if so desired, for the service and/or reception.
