Memorial Service Planning
Memorial Services are the church’s way of honoring the memory of our loved ones when they die, providing a space for family and friends to mourn and grieve, and – of great importance to us in the church – they’re an opportunity to remind us of the promises made to God’s people in Jesus Christ:
I am Resurrection and I am Life, says the Lord.
Whoever has faith in me shall have life,
even though they die.
And everyone who has life,
and has committed themself to me in faith,
shall not die for ever.
- Book of Common Prayer, Burial Rite II
What’s the difference between a Memorial Service and a Funeral? At St. Bart’s we use these terms rather interchangeably. Some churches differentiate funerals as services where the remains of your loved one are present, and a memorial service is a service where there are no physical remains present (also sometimes referred to as a Celebration of Life). While both options are possible to be held at St. Bart’s, our tradition holds that it is preferred to have the remains present at the service so as to be able to commend the deceased to the nearer presence of God.
Memorial Service Planning
Whether you have recently experienced a loss or are interested in planning your own service so as to assist your loved ones when you die, our Rector is more than happy to meet with you to begin the planning process.
We have also created some resources that we hope will ease the planning process. These documents can be used for oneself to plan ahead or for the service of a loved one.
Material for you as you plan:
Memorial Services are the church’s way of honoring the memory of our loved ones when they die, providing a space for family and friends to mourn and grieve, and – of great importance to us in the church – they’re an opportunity to remind us of the promises made to God’s people in Jesus Christ:
I am Resurrection and I am Life, says the Lord.
Whoever has faith in me shall have life,
even though they die.
And everyone who has life,
and has committed themself to me in faith,
shall not die for ever.
- Book of Common Prayer, Burial Rite II
What’s the difference between a Memorial Service and a Funeral? At St. Bart’s we use these terms rather interchangeably. Some churches differentiate funerals as services where the remains of your loved one are present, and a memorial service is a service where there are no physical remains present (also sometimes referred to as a Celebration of Life). While both options are possible to be held at St. Bart’s, our tradition holds that it is preferred to have the remains present at the service so as to be able to commend the deceased to the nearer presence of God.
Memorial Service Planning
Whether you have recently experienced a loss or are interested in planning your own service so as to assist your loved ones when you die, our Rector is more than happy to meet with you to begin the planning process.
We have also created some resources that we hope will ease the planning process. These documents can be used for oneself to plan ahead or for the service of a loved one.
Material for you as you plan:
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396 Gilman Road, Yarmouth, Maine, 04096
Church Office Phone: (207) 846-9244 Office email: [email protected] St Bart’s is a parish of the Diocese of Maine, of the Episcopal Church, a province of the Anglican Communion. |
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