"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus, Christ, the
source of all mercy and the God of all consolation..."
source of all mercy and the God of all consolation..."
Peace Lutheran Church, Galion, Ohio
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Thank you for coming to this special page, where your
possible. Increasing numbers of people are planning
ahead, to assist in making wise choices for their Chris-
tian funeral. In so doing a great load is taken from your
shoulders and those you love too. Planning ahead gives
you the opportunity to express your love at a time when.
these decision are most difficult to make.
We hope that the material found here can help guide
you through some of the planning that is a necessary
part of a Christian's death. We will help you prepare
for the stages of Christian burial. From earliest times, churches and churchyards have
served as places of internment, as a witness to Christ Jesus, the Resurrection and the
Life. Upon the death of a loved one, a family member should contact the church office
as soon as possible; such timely notification facilitates the necessary planning of the
funeral worship service.
As Christians., we celebrate in the funeral worship service and offer praise and
thanksgiving for the gift of life which has now returned to God, the author of life which
has now returned to God, the author of life and the hope of the just. The Church
identifies three principal rites in planning together with the family.
The Vigil (Wake) or Family Time
This usually takes place on the eve of the funeral worship service which may be at the
funeral home, or church prior to the viewing or calling hours. The time generally includes
Scripture reading, prayer and consolation of the bereaved family.
The Funeral Worship Service
The Funeral Worship Service is a celebration for the Christian in the church. This is the
place where the active Christian communicant member has been received as a member
with Christ had begun, but also continued in their worship life and serving others
throughout their lifetime. This worship service can be celebrated with the presence of the
body, cremains (cremated remains), or as a Memorial Worship Service without the body,
or cremains. Prior to the Funeral Worship Service beginning the casket will be closed, and
not to be opened again.
The Committal
The Rite of Committal may be celebated at the graveside, mausoleum, at sea, or the Peace
Columbarium. Should a family decide upon cremation the cremains may be inurned in
the Peace Columbarium located in The Chapel of the Resurrection. The chapel is located
on the lower level of the Parish House with easy access to the elevator. This inurnment
worship service may be done at a later time following the worship service in the church,
and the cremation. The inurnment may also be done soon after the cremation if the
individual or family has decided to do the cremation immediately following death. The
worship service in The Chapel of The Resurrection can accommodate a small gathering of
family.
The Church is the preferred place for a funeral. It is the last opportunity for the Christian
to witness to the Resurrection power of Jesus Christ. It is the place throughout life the
Christian has begun their journey together with Christ. Beginning with Holy Baptism, and
nourished with the Lord's Supper, the Christian in their life long journey with Christ, grow
in their faith. Through hearing God's reassuring Word, and out of gratitude the Christian
has served His people because of the exemplary of Christ, His sacrificial death and
Resurrection. The Church is the last place in the transformational process of the
Christian.
SYMBOLIC ELEMENTS
Paschal (Easter) Candle:
This candle is first lit at Easter and burns near the casket or urn during the Funeral
Worship Service. The candle represents the Light of the Risen Christ, who has overcome
darkness and death by His Resurrection.
Funeral Pall:
The funeral pall ( large white cloth) reminds us of the garment given at Holy Baptism and
therefore symbolizing our life in Christ and that we are all equal in the eyes of God. At the
reception of the body in the church, the pall is draped over the casket, in many cases by
the family.
Ossuary:
While a white pall is not used in a funeral worship service with the cremated remains, an
Ossuary may be used to hold the urn. It is a hand-crafted chest, which offers the ideal
receptacle for an urn, and stands in a place of honor near the altar. Like the pragmatic
usage of the pall, an Ossurary avoids any distinction between urns and containers, and
assures that the rich and the poor are given their rightful dignity during the funeral
worship service.
SOME PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS
Cremation
All the usual rites which are celebrated with the body present may also be celebrated in the
presence of the cremains (cremated remains) in the Church. During the rites, the
cremains are treated with the same dignity and respect as the body. The cremains are to
be sealed in a worthy vessel, and may be carried in procession and/or placed on a table or
in the Ossuary near the altar.
Planning for the Funeral Worship Service
When possible and desired, family and friends should actively participate in planning the
funeral rites with the Pastor.
Music for the Funeral Worship Service
Music is an important part of worship, and we encourage families to make full use of the
Church's rich tradition, and our church's musical resources. It is helpful to have at least
three hymns selected for singing at the church's Funeral Worship Service.
Flowers:
We welcome flowers as part of the funeral celebration. They will be displayed on the
chancel steps. Flowers are not permitted in The Chapel of the Resurrection and Peace
Columbarium. The floral casket spray is removed before the Funeral Worship Service
begins, and placed back on the casket upon leaving the church. If family or friends
would like to make a donation in lieu of flowers, it is suggested that donations made to
Peace Lutheran Church.
Church Reception:
Members of Peace may request the use of Fellowship Hall for a reception and a light
lunch to be served. It is a good place for reunions, and lessens the burden on the family
in preparation of food,while providing adequate space.
possible. Increasing numbers of people are planning
ahead, to assist in making wise choices for their Chris-
tian funeral. In so doing a great load is taken from your
shoulders and those you love too. Planning ahead gives
you the opportunity to express your love at a time when.
these decision are most difficult to make.
We hope that the material found here can help guide
you through some of the planning that is a necessary
part of a Christian's death. We will help you prepare
for the stages of Christian burial. From earliest times, churches and churchyards have
served as places of internment, as a witness to Christ Jesus, the Resurrection and the
Life. Upon the death of a loved one, a family member should contact the church office
as soon as possible; such timely notification facilitates the necessary planning of the
funeral worship service.
As Christians., we celebrate in the funeral worship service and offer praise and
thanksgiving for the gift of life which has now returned to God, the author of life which
has now returned to God, the author of life and the hope of the just. The Church
identifies three principal rites in planning together with the family.
The Vigil (Wake) or Family Time
This usually takes place on the eve of the funeral worship service which may be at the
funeral home, or church prior to the viewing or calling hours. The time generally includes
Scripture reading, prayer and consolation of the bereaved family.
The Funeral Worship Service
The Funeral Worship Service is a celebration for the Christian in the church. This is the
place where the active Christian communicant member has been received as a member
with Christ had begun, but also continued in their worship life and serving others
throughout their lifetime. This worship service can be celebrated with the presence of the
body, cremains (cremated remains), or as a Memorial Worship Service without the body,
or cremains. Prior to the Funeral Worship Service beginning the casket will be closed, and
not to be opened again.
The Committal
The Rite of Committal may be celebated at the graveside, mausoleum, at sea, or the Peace
Columbarium. Should a family decide upon cremation the cremains may be inurned in
the Peace Columbarium located in The Chapel of the Resurrection. The chapel is located
on the lower level of the Parish House with easy access to the elevator. This inurnment
worship service may be done at a later time following the worship service in the church,
and the cremation. The inurnment may also be done soon after the cremation if the
individual or family has decided to do the cremation immediately following death. The
worship service in The Chapel of The Resurrection can accommodate a small gathering of
family.
The Church is the preferred place for a funeral. It is the last opportunity for the Christian
to witness to the Resurrection power of Jesus Christ. It is the place throughout life the
Christian has begun their journey together with Christ. Beginning with Holy Baptism, and
nourished with the Lord's Supper, the Christian in their life long journey with Christ, grow
in their faith. Through hearing God's reassuring Word, and out of gratitude the Christian
has served His people because of the exemplary of Christ, His sacrificial death and
Resurrection. The Church is the last place in the transformational process of the
Christian.
SYMBOLIC ELEMENTS
Paschal (Easter) Candle:
This candle is first lit at Easter and burns near the casket or urn during the Funeral
Worship Service. The candle represents the Light of the Risen Christ, who has overcome
darkness and death by His Resurrection.
Funeral Pall:
The funeral pall ( large white cloth) reminds us of the garment given at Holy Baptism and
therefore symbolizing our life in Christ and that we are all equal in the eyes of God. At the
reception of the body in the church, the pall is draped over the casket, in many cases by
the family.
Ossuary:
While a white pall is not used in a funeral worship service with the cremated remains, an
Ossuary may be used to hold the urn. It is a hand-crafted chest, which offers the ideal
receptacle for an urn, and stands in a place of honor near the altar. Like the pragmatic
usage of the pall, an Ossurary avoids any distinction between urns and containers, and
assures that the rich and the poor are given their rightful dignity during the funeral
worship service.
SOME PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS
Cremation
All the usual rites which are celebrated with the body present may also be celebrated in the
presence of the cremains (cremated remains) in the Church. During the rites, the
cremains are treated with the same dignity and respect as the body. The cremains are to
be sealed in a worthy vessel, and may be carried in procession and/or placed on a table or
in the Ossuary near the altar.
Planning for the Funeral Worship Service
When possible and desired, family and friends should actively participate in planning the
funeral rites with the Pastor.
Music for the Funeral Worship Service
Music is an important part of worship, and we encourage families to make full use of the
Church's rich tradition, and our church's musical resources. It is helpful to have at least
three hymns selected for singing at the church's Funeral Worship Service.
Flowers:
We welcome flowers as part of the funeral celebration. They will be displayed on the
chancel steps. Flowers are not permitted in The Chapel of the Resurrection and Peace
Columbarium. The floral casket spray is removed before the Funeral Worship Service
begins, and placed back on the casket upon leaving the church. If family or friends
would like to make a donation in lieu of flowers, it is suggested that donations made to
Peace Lutheran Church.
Church Reception:
Members of Peace may request the use of Fellowship Hall for a reception and a light
lunch to be served. It is a good place for reunions, and lessens the burden on the family
in preparation of food,while providing adequate space.
