Printable version of complete funeral information.
FUNERAL PLANNING AT CALVARY LUTHERAN CHURCH
First of all, we are so sorry for your loss. We will all miss your loved one who has died. The following is information that you might find helpful in planning a funeral at Calvary as well as information that the church staff needs to plan the funeral.
THE FUNERAL SERVICE
The funeral service that we will use for the funeral is found on pp. 279- 285 in Evangelical Lutheran Worship and in the funeral template attached to this document.
Day and time of funeral?
Prayer or family service before?
SCRIPTURE TEXTS FOR THE FUNERAL
You may choose two or three scripture passages for the funeral, usually one from the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), one from the New Testament lessons and/or one from Old Testament. The following are suggestions with a short quote, but please read carefully to make your choices.
GOSPELS
Matthew 6: 25-34: God cares for the bird and flowers
+++Matthew 11: 25-30: Come all who are weary
Luke 12: 35-40: Be prepared for the Lord’s coming
+++John 6: 37-40: I will raise them up on the last day
John 10: 1-18: I am the good shepherd
John 11: 21-27: I am the resurrection and the life
John 12: 23-26: Unless a grain of wheat falls…
John 14: 1-6: In my Father’s house are many rooms
NEW TESTAMENT LESSONS
Romans 5: 1-11: We have peace with God through Christ
Romans 8: 31-35, 37-39: Nothing can separate us from Christ
I Corinthians 15: 20-26: In Christ shall all be made alive
I Corinthians 15: 50-57: Death is defeated in Christ
Philippians 3: 20-21: Our citizenship is in heaven
+++I John 3: 1-2: We are God’s children now
Revelation 7: 9-17: Behold a host all dressed in white
Revelation 21: 2-7: He will wipe away every tear
OLD TESTAMENT LESSONS
Psalm 23: The Lord is my shepherd
Isaiah 25: 6-9: He will swallow up death forever
Isaiah 61: 1-3: Oil of gladness instead of mourning
Job 19: 23-27a: I know that my Redeemer lives
+++Lamentations 3: 22-26, 31-33: God’s love is steadfast
+++Especially appropriate for the burial of a child
MUSIC FOR THE FUNERAL
You can choose three or more hymns for the funeral. Evangelical Lutheran Worship has sections called Hope, Assurance in hymns 618-639 and Trust, Guidance in hymns 755-795, as well as many others that are listed under Comfort, Rest in the ELW index on p. 1179. Certainly, you may want to choose hymns that were favorites of your loved one who has died. Russ Bunker, our Music Ministry Coordinator and Organist is available to accompany the hymns and special music. You may choose a soloist for one or two solos in the funeral service or we can help you to choose a soloist and the musical pieces they will sing.
LUNCH AFTER THE FUNERAL
Calvary is pleased to serve a light lunch after the funeral, and the menu may vary some depending on what time of the day the funeral is held. Please call Shirley Bunker, Calvary Funeral Meal Coordinator, as soon as possible to arrange the menu and the details of the meal. Call her at home at 218-346-7662 or on her cell phone at 218-535-1255.
If it is a lunch, we need to know if you would prefer that we serve hotdish with cake and beverages or sandwich with cake and beverages. Sometimes salads, chips, baked beans or other items are added to the menu.
We need to know how many people you expect to come. There is no charge for the lunch but a donation would be appreciated to cover the costs.
MISCELLANEOUS
We would love to have flowers from the funeral to commemorate your loved one as part of our next Sunday worship service. Of course, we cannot guarantee that the flowers will last until Sunday.
You should know that a beautiful funeral pall is available to drape over the casket. The pall is an ancient symbol of baptism.
Memorials can be designated to many different causes. Many are choosing the Calvary Mission Endowment Fund as a perpetual gift that would enable ministry beyond the ordinary operation of the church. The principle is never spent, only the interest.
FUNERAL PLANNING WISH LIST
Print out and write down your funeral preferences. This Wish List is meant only a planning tool; be sure to discuss your wishes with your loved ones and then to write them out at length.
FUNERAL SERVICE
Prelude
Prayer and Thanksgiving for Baptism: ELW p. 279
Hymn
Greeting
Prayer of the Day: ELW p. 281
Scripture Lessons (3)
Sermon-Pastor Phil Holtan
Hymn
The Apostles’ Creed: ELW p. 282
Solo
Prayers: LW p. 282
Lord’s Prayer: ELW p. 283
Commendation: ELW p. 283
Benediction: ELW p. 214
Hymn
Postlude/Recessional
In lieu of flowers...create a legacy in remembrance of your loved one. A gift in lieu of flowers at the funeral of a loved one or friend is a most rewarding way to honor their memory. You may wish to consider a memorial to the Calvary Lutheran Church Mission Endowment Fund. A contribution in your loved one's memory will be designated to support ministry in our community, region and world through a perpetual gift. Gifts can be made payable to Calvary Lutheran Church at the address below.