Remembering, Celebrating, and Giving Thanks for a Life
In the Episcopal Church, a memorial service is a celebration of the Resurrection. The liturgy, therefore, is characterized by joy, in the certainty that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:39)
This joy, however, does not diminish the very real grief that we feel. The same love we have for each other in Christ brings deep sorrow when we are parted by death. Jesus himself wept at the grave of his friend, Lazarus. So, while we rejoice that one we love has entered into the nearer presence of our Lord, we sorrow in sympathy with those who mourn.
Because the memorial service is first and foremost an act of Christian worship, it is subject to the same standards as the weekly liturgies at Saint Mark’s. The clergy in charge will be the final authority for any special requests.
Baptized Christians are properly buried from the church. The service should be held at a time when the congregation has an opportunity to be present.
The PDF booklet below is a tool for approaching the many stages of planning for a memorial service. The first step is to contact the church and arrange a meeting with a member of the clergy. Saint Mark’s staff is here for support, guidence and prayer in this time of grief.
Pre-Planning your memorial service is a wonderful way not only to ensure that your wishes are carried out on that important occasion, it is also a special gift to loved ones who may be struggling in a time of grief to determine just decisions you might have made. Saint Mark’s has created a document to help you with this process, and clergy and music staff are always available to help you through its completion or review. There also links within the Memorial Booklet that is found above to assist with prayers and music, and a link to suggested scripture. Once complete, a copy is filed at the church office. It is also suggested that you share it with loved ones, and keep an additional copy with your will and other similar documents.