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Funeral Guide

Lake view Psalm 23
-4- Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, [1] I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
-6- Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
© Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide

Special Facilities Available: | Fellowship Hall | Grief Classes | Hymns

INTRODUCTION

A funeral is often a very difficult time for families. This funeral guide is intended to help in the pre-planning of a funeral, or to help families who are presently dealing with a funeral, so that they might be better prepared when they meet with the Pastors to design a funeral service. 

It is helpful to remember that a funeral is, first and foremost, a worship service. And in a worship service, the primary focus is on our Lord and His grace. In the context of this remembering, we recall the deceased - friend, loved one, spouse. Our prayer in every funeral is that faith in Christ would be renewed and that God would be glorified, as the deceased is remembered.

STRUCTURE OF THE WORSHIP SERVICE

A funeral service at Mount Olive Lutheran Church includes the following basic elements. 

  • Hymns - A funeral service normally has three or four hymns, one at the beginning and at the end of the service, and one or two in the middle, usually before and after the sermon.
  • Eulogy - A eulogy -- now often called a tribute -- should be short and to the point. Eulogies / tributes are not required elements in a Lutheran funeral service. However, the goal of a eulogy, if present, is to give a brief summary of the individual’s life in Christ and present the hope and faith they had in life. Should the family desire such a tribute, guidelines have been agreed upon by Mount Olive's elders. If a eulogy / tribute is required, the elders request that families put together a eulogy / tribute which the Pastors can then read in the funeral service. Alternately, families may wish to have family members or others read eulogies / tributes after funeral guests are seated in the Parish Hall, before the funeral luncheon begins.
  • Invocation
  • Introduction - The Pastor’s greeting to the worshipers, including a reference to Romans 6:3-5.
  • Litany - The service includes responses between Pastor and congregation.
  • Old Testament Reading, often the 23rd Psalm. 
  • Responses to the Readings - Again spoken by Pastor and congregation.
  • A solo may be part of the worship service. Please speak with one of the pastors as to the choice of music.
  • A New Testament Reading Often Revelation 21:1-7.
  • A Gospel Reading Usually John 11:17-27.
  • Apostles’ Creed - A brief statement of the Christian faith.
  • Pastor’s Message
  • Prayers and Lord’s Prayer
  • Commendation - Commending the deceased to the Lord’s care and keeping.
  • Benediction and Blessing
  • A note about the internment or cremation is usually printed in the worship folder. 
  • A note about memorials helps family and friends direct memorial gifts according to the family’s wishes.
CHOICE OF HYMNS

 When families meet with the Pastor, they are asked to suggest hymns for the worship service. Here are some hymns that are often used in Christian funerals.

Traditional Hymns

  • Abide with Me! Fast Falls the Eventide 
  • Amazing Grace
  • Beautiful Saviour
  • Guide Me Ever, Great Redeemer 
  • How Great Thou Art
  • How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds 
  • I Know that My Redeemer Lives! 
  • If You But Trust in God to Guide You 
  • It Is Well with My Soul 
  • Jesus Lives! the Victory's Won! 
  • Jesus, the Very Thought of You 
  • Jesus, Lead Thou On 
  • Just as I Am
  • The King of Love My Shepherd Is 
  • Lift High the Cross 
  • The Lord's My Shepherd 
  • Lord Take My Hand and Lead Me 
  • Love Divine, All Loves Excelling 
  • A Mighty Fortress 
  • My Faith Looks up to Thee
  • My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less 
  • God, Our Help in Ages Past 
  • Love that Will not Let Me Go 
  • Rock of Ages
  • This Is My Father's World 
  • What a Friend We Have in Jesus
Contemporary and Gospel Songs
  • Abba Father 
  • Because He Lives 
  • Blessed Assurance 
  • Day by Day
  • For Those Tears I Died 
  • God Be with You 
  • Great Is the Lord
  • Great Is Thy Faithfulness 
  • I Am the Bread of Life 
  • I Am the Resurrection 
  • I'd Rather Have Jesus
  • I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry 
  • Just a Closer Walk with Thee 
  • Oh, How He Loves You and Me 
  • The Old Rugged Cross 
  • Sing a New Song unto the Lord 
  • Softly and Tenderly Jesus Is Calling 
  • There Is a Redeemer 
  • Trust and Obey
  • Turn Your Eyes upon Jesus
  • We Rejoice in the Grace of God
Children's Songs

Christian Estate Planning

In the Holy Scriptures, God’s people are encouraged to set aside a portion of their resources as thanks to Him for the many rich blessings He provides. As part of this process, many of God’s people also set aside a portion of their estate for the Lord’s work.

These resources represent a portion of what the Lord has enabled them to acquire during their lifetime. 

As Christians, our greatest blessing is living each day with the promise of eternal life, made available to us through the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Given all these blessings, it’s natural to give thanks all the way through our life’s journey. 

Setting aside a gift for the Lord’s work as part of our estate planning is a way of saying thanks to our Lord one final time, and a way of sharing God’s blessings with ministries that are important to us. Our planned gift allows us to contribute to a ministry that’s important to us, so that these ministries might continue their work for years to come. 

You may find the following helpful:

(1)        Information on wills and estates in the form of a wills check-up helps establish a clear plan with regard to the steps to take in completing your estate planning. Wills Checkup

 (2)       Some Christians choose to include a Christian preamble as an opening paragraph in their will. This is a simple way of witnessing to your faith at a critical time. 
Preamble to Will / Testament 

(3)       Power of attorney issues are an important consideration. This has to do with having a trusted individual deal with your business and financial affairs should you be unable to do so yourself. This is an area where the assistance of a lawyer is very helpful. 

(4)       A Healthcare Directive enables health care professionals to know your preferences in terms how you would like your medical care to be handled should you be critically ill. A lawyer’s assistance is not required with this document. (Link to Health_Care_Directive / Health_Care_Directive_pt2 

(5)       The Lutheran Foundation Canada has some excellent planned giving tools on their website. It’s located at www.lutheranfoundation.ca. Examples of planned gifts are found here. This site notes the process by which publicly traded shares may be gifted to an organization. In 2006, the Canadian federal government removed the capital gains tax on publicly traded shares when they are gifted to a registered charity. 

(6)       The Lutheran Foundation Canada also has gift coordinators available to assist you in your planned giving. There is no cost for this service.  The website has more information.

If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at the church.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Mount Olive Lutheran Church
2015 4th Avenue North
Regina, Saskatchewan
Pastors Terry Defoe and Ted Giese
Church Office - 306-543-9744
Pastor Terry - 306-591-4240
Pastor Ted - 306-543-2868


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Mount Olive Lutheran Church
2015 4th Avenue North
Regina, Saskatchewan - Canada
www.mountolive.ca
Phone: (306) 543-9744