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The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away;
blessed be the name of the Lord.
Job 1:21b
Philosophy and Policy of Christian Funerals at Mount Hope Baptist Church
In our efforts to assist you in properly planning the eulogistic services for your loved one, our church staff has prepared this information for your perusal and consideration.
I. The Christian Funeral
The Christian funeral is a worship service in which God's people witness to their faith in the hope of the Gospel, the communion of saints, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting and in which also a comforting assurance of God's love and salvation in Christ is ministered, especially to the Christian bereaved.
II. Towards an Understanding of the Christian Funeral
A funeral service at Mount Hope Baptist Church is worship of the true and living God. The funeral is God's way of bringing comfort to the hearts of those who mourn as scripture is read and preached, prayer is offered, praises are sung, grief is expressed, remembrance is cherished; and it is an occasion in which we, by the grace of God, bless the name of the One who gives and takes away.
The presence of family and friends around at this time serves to support and strengthen those who sorrow. The funeral gives thanks for life and lifts meaningful memories of lost loved ones helping us learn vital lessons from it.
Thus, in the funeral service, we gather primarily to worship God and confess our faith in a living Savior. Though we mourn our loss and remember our loved one, our focus is fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.
III. Funeral Matters/Logistically Speaking
1. While many chose the chapel at a funeral home for the memorial service, others prefer the church building where faith is nourished, marriage vows are made, children are baptized, communion is received, and prayers are offered by the people of God.
2. The practice of "viewing the remains" is generally customary in the Baptist Church. However, it is totally a family decision. Accordingly, the church will abide by the family's wishes. In rare instances the family may wish to have the casket kept closed.
3. Because fraternal or civil rites are not part of the worship service, these organizations should pay
tribute to the deceased at another hour and place.
4. Many people chose to have the memorial service before the burial; others have the burial before the service. Either approach is appropriate and the church makes no recommendation in this regard. Over the years Christians have generally shunned the practice of cremation.
5. When funerals are conducted at Mount Hope Baptist Church, staff ministers ordinarily conduct the eulogistic services in their entirety. The Senior Minister has sole responsibility and discretion in carrying out church funeral services. Consequently, outside eulogists are not encouraged to perform family funerals at MHBC? However, specially designated family clergy are welcome to offer expressions of condolences on behalf of the bereaved.
Only those special request (regarding things pertaining to the service itself, whether music or guest minister) which meet the approval of the officiating minister are
acceptable.
IV. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How soon after death must the funeral occur?
Christian tradition urges that burial occur as soon as possible after death, generally within three to five days.
However, it is customary to avoid burial on the Lord’s Day or on a religious holiday and time is often required for close family members to gather. Any day Monday through Saturday is deemed appropriate?
2. Is there a cost for the use of the church? Only in cases where the member has become inactive or is a non-member will there be a cost to use the church for funeral purposes. In this instance a burial plot and sexton fee is also accessed. Please consult the Chairman of the Trustee Ministry for details.
3. What is the best place for a funeral? No one can answer that question for you. This suggestion is offered only to assist you in making a proper determination. Customarily, Christians prefer the church. The church is the sacred center for worship and the most familiar setting in which to contemplate God and sacred events such as communion and baptism.
Through the ages the church has been the gathering place of the saints for the preached word, where the Songs of Zion and the prayers of believers are lifted to God. These sacred memories comfort those who mourn. The church is open for you at any time that you wish to plan your service Monday through Saturday. It is your church and a Christian burial will not be denied anyone.
4. Do you eulogize unbelievers? No. Unbelievers are asked to make funeral arrangements with the funeral chapel.
5. Does the pastor or his designee perform Graveside Services? Yes. Graveside services are often for simplicity and convenience and are sometimes the expressed wish of the deceased. The following are some issues you may want to consider in making graveside plans. You make wish to consider the forecast for wind, rain, snow or harsh summer temperatures. The time must be brief as to prevent prolonged standing. The ministry of comfort may be lost to physical stress and inclement weather.
6. Who should I call when a death occurs?
Family members should immediately contact the pastor for pastoral care and the scheduling of eulogistic services. The pastor can provide invaluable spiritual and emotional support in a time of bereavement as God’s personal presence in the midst of loss.
7. What services does a funeral director provide?
A funeral director makes all of the arrangements required to transfer the deceased from the place of death to the funeral chapel and to the ultimate place of burial; obtains the death certificates; prepares the remains for burial; aids in the selection of caskets and burial garments; assists in the preparation of obituary notices; and coordinates and supervises the arrangements for funeral services and burial.
The funeral director will arrange for transfer of the deceased to the funeral chapel and the funeral director in collaboration with the church pastor's schedule will begin a preliminary discussion regarding the time and place of the funeral.
8. What should I do if the death occurred in a distant place?
Call the funeral director in the location where the funeral service and burial will take place. They can make arrangements to transport a body from any location in the world.
9. What information will I need to provide to the funeral director?
In order to complete the death certificate, the funeral director will need the names of the deceased's parents, including the maiden name of the deceased's mother, the deceased's date of birth, occupation, and social security number.
He will also need to know whether you own a burial plot and the name of your rabbi, if any. He will also guide you through a series of questions designed to determine your preferences with respect to funeral arrangements, including the rituals to be followed, the type of casket to be used, the wording of obituary notices, etc.
10. How much does a funeral cost?
Although prices vary, a traditional Christian funeral today is about $4,500 and rising. This cost includes transferring the remains to the funeral chapel and to the place of burial; preparing the remains for burial, a plain pine casket and the service fees for arrangements and supervision.
Not included is the cost of a cemetery plot, cemetery charges for opening and closing the grave site, obituary notices, limousines for family members, certain clergy fees and other optional expenses, all of which can add substantially to the bottom line cost. For the best burial experience, shop prices. In the same locality burial expenses and services can vary and sometimes widely. In the event of a derogatory eulogistic experience, please see Consumer Funeral Rights Under the Law
11. Pre-Need Planning
Many have asked should I plan ahead. Planning ahead is a very wise idea. It is wise to set a budget prior to visiting the funeral establishment. It makes it possible to make the precise arrangements that the deceased desired and avoids making costly decisions in an emotionally charged atmosphere.
Don't be financially fleeced by unscrupulous opportunists who prey on the bereaved, resulting in unnecessary funeral expenditures for many unnecessary items.
In many states state law requires that any money paid in advance for pre-need services be held in trust in a separate interest-bearing insured bank account and provides that the payments and interest are fully refundable if you change your mind about the arrangements for any reason before the funds are expended on your behalf.
It is ill-advised to eulogize the deceased in expensive jewelry and clothing. Costly items may be better served as an heirloom.
Before making pre-need arrangements request the funeral home's policy on such matters and get everything in writing.
V. Funeral Arrangement Do's and Don'ts
1. At no time should funerals be planned without first consulting the church. The schedule of the pastor and the church should be respectfully considered at all times in making eulogistic arrangements.
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
John 14:1
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