Funerals
when a loved one dies...
When a death occurs in your family, you will be faced with many decisions during a very difficult time. Please contact the Church Office at 717.249.1512. You are also invited to call the cell phone of the pastors.
Rev. Jake Waybright: 773.575.2280
The pastor will work with you and your family to determine how to honor the life of your loved one. Funerals can occur in the church Worship Center, Church Chapel, or Funeral Home.
Steps for when a loved one dies:
- Call a funeral home. They will guide you through this process and answer many questions.
- Call your pastor/church office, 717.249.1512 or pastor's cell phone.
- Make a list of family, friends, and colleagues to notify via phone about your loved ones death.
- Work with the funeral home to gather information for paperwork, official agencies, and obituary.
- Determine an organization that memorial gifts can be given to. CUMC memorial gifts support current and future ministry in our community. Learn more at CUMC Legacy Funds.
basic memorial outline
To honor the life of your loved one the pastor will work with your family to plan a memorial service. A basic memorial service includes:
- Greeting and Words of Grace
- Opening Prayer
- Hymn
- Prayer
- Lord's Prayer
- Psalm/Scripture Readings
- Homily by Pastor
- Eulogies by Family and/or Friends
- Hymn
- Dismissal with Blessing
popular scripture for memorials
Old Testament Scriptures
Job 19:25-27 - I know that my Redeemer lives...
Isaiah 40:1-8 - Comfort, O comfort my people...
Isaiah 40:28-31 - The Lord is an everlasting God...
Isaiah 41:8-13 - Do not fear, for I am with you...
Ezekiel 37:1-14 - I will put my spirit within you, and you shall live.
Psalms
Psalm 23 - The Lord is my Shepherd...
Psalm 62 - My soul waits in silence for God...
Psalm 84 - How lovely is your dwelling place.
Psalm 103 - Bless the Lord, O my soul.
Psalm 118:17, 19 - I shall not die, but I shall live.
Psalm 121 - I lift up my eyes to the hills...
Psalm 130 - I wait for the Lord...
Psalm 139 - Search me, O God.
New Testament Scriptures
Matthew 6:19-21 - Where your treasure is...
Matthew 25:31-40 - Just as you did it for one...
Mark 16:6 - He has been raised...
Luke 12:22-34 - Do not worry about your life...
Luke 24:5b-8 - Why do you look for the living...
John 3:16-17 - For God so loved the world...
John 6:35-40 - I am the bread of life.
John 10:14-18 - I am the good shepherd.
John 14:1-4, 18, 19, 25, 27 - Do not let your hearts...
Romans 5:1 - While we still were sinners...
Romans 8:1, 2, 11, 14, 17, 18, 28, 31, 32, 35, 39 - If God...
Romans 14:7-9 - We do not live to ourselves...
1 Corinthians 15:1, 2a, 12, 16, 18, 20, 35, 38a, 42b, 44, 54, 55, 57 - Where, O death, is your victory?
2 Corinthians 5:1-10 - If the earthly tent we live in is destroyed...
2 Corinthians 5:17 - Everything old has passed away...
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 - Do not grieve as others do...
2 Timothy 4:6-8 - I have fought the good fight...
Hebrews 11:1-3 - Faith is the assurance of things hoped for...
1 John 3:1-3 - See what love the Father has given us...
Revelations 21:1-7 - Then a saw a new heaven...
popular hymns for memorials
Numbers refer to the United Methodist Hymnal
110 - A Mighty Fortress Is Our God
700 - Abide In Me
378 - Amazing Grace
534 - Be Still, My Soul
557 - Blest Be the Tie That Binds
407 - Close to Thee
710 - Faith of Our Fathers
140 - Great Is Thy Faithfulness
77- How Great Thou Art
704 - Hymn of Promise
314 - In the Garden
488- Jesus, Remember Me
133 - Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
733 - Marching to Zion
368 - My Hope Is Built
57 - O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing
117 - O God, Our Help in Ages Past
143 - On Eagle's Wings
474 - Precious Lord, Take My Hand
496 - Sweet Hour of Prayer
504 - The Old Rugged Cross
526 - What a Friend We Have in Jesus
701 - When We All Get to Heaven