Lovely Lane Church encourages you to visit with your attorney to update your will regularly. It is also very important to designate durable power of attorney for health care decisions in the event that you are not able to make decisions yourself.

Planning a Funeral or Memorial Service

Death will come to all of us. Learning about options for funerals, memorials, and burial while we are alive makes good sense. What kind of service do you want? Does your family know your wishes? What plans should you make now?

In planning your service, you may want to discuss your wishes with those close to you. Making these plans now will help reduce the stress on surviving family members and loved ones at the immediate time of death. Making your wishes known will be helpful to them. Discussing these issues ahead of time can also save time and money.

The Lovely Lane Pastors are available to discuss any wishes or plans concerning your funeral service. Please do not hesitate to contact one of them if you have any questions about these matters.

When death is imminent or at the time of death the church office or pastor should be notified immediately. All arrangements should be made and approved in consultation with the pastor who will be conducting the service. The Lovely Lane pastors are willing to conduct funerals for persons who are not members of the congregation when there is some connection with the congregation through family or affiliation.

THE SERVICE

Refer to THE UNITED METHODIST HYMNAL pg. 870 for an example of “A Service of Death and Resurrection” in the United Methodist Tradition. This service can be modified in consultation with the wishes of the deceased, the family and the pastor conducting the service.

Funeral Service
A funeral service is a traditional service that generally follows religious and cultural traditions. The body is present in most cases and there may be a viewing prior to the start of the service. A funeral usually takes place in the church or funeral home. Churches or family homes are less expensive sites for a funeral than a funeral home. If you choose to be cremated, you can have a funeral service prior to cremation. Both funerals and memorial services can be written to express the personal wishes and desires of the family and deceased and can provide opportunity for celebration of the life of the deceased. It is appropriate for family members to prepare tributes to read or have read during the service. Special music provided by members of the family can help make the service even more personal.

Memorial Service
A memorial service can be as elaborate or simple as you choose. Memorial services are held without the body and usually are less expensive than funerals because they require fewer professional services. A memorial service can be scheduled days or weeks after the death occurs, allowing time for family and friends to gather together. Sometimes family members and loved ones choose to hold memorial services simultaneously in different parts of the country, as the expense of travel during this time can be a burden. More than one memorial service may be held if the deceased was involved in various activities or work.

Preparation of the Body
Embalming is a chemical treatment to temporarily preserve a life-like appearance. Funeral or memorial services with a viewing generally will require embalming, even if you choose cremation after the service. Embalming is not required by Iowa law unless the body will be transported across state lines. You have the right to forgo embalming if you choose direct cremation or immediate burial (within 48 hours of death). Only the immediate family may view a body that has not been embalmed.

Service Locations
Services may be held in a home, church, or funeral home. For members of the congregation, it is preferred that the funeral be conducted at the church. The service of committal or burial usually follows the service at the gravesite, mausoleum or crematory chapel.

Attendants/Pallbearers
If the funeral service is conducted in the church, pallbearers are necessary to carry the casket to the front of the worship center and then to the funeral hearse. It is a sign of respect for the deceased to carry the casket rather than to use a cart. However, in some circumstances it may be impossible to secure pallbearers. In these cases, the casket may be rolled.

Reception
A gathering at the church following the service can be arranged through the church office. This provides the family and friends an opportunity to visit and comfort one another. There is a minimal catering cost associated with providing a meal. ($2 per plate for a light luncheon). Cookies and coffee can be arranged at no cost.

You may print the following forms to help you make decisions regarding your funeral service.

PERSONS TO BE NOTIFIED IN CASE OF DEATH
OBITUARY INFORMATION GUIDELINES
PLANNING A MEANINGFUL FUNERAL/MEMORIAL SERVICE

If you would like Lovely Lane Church to maintain a file in their confidential records, please return a copy of the completed forms to the church office.

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