Funeral Policies
GENERAL GUIDELINES
A. All regular members of the congregation are entitled to the use of the church for a funeral/memorial service. Non-members will be accommodated at the discretion of the Rector.
B. Unless good cause is shown, King of Peace clergy will not officiate at funerals/memorial services other than in the church.
C. Funerals can be arranged at such times as do not conflict with regularly scheduled services or previously scheduled meetings or events.
D. The Rector will conduct the service although other ministers, soloists, organists, etc. can be invited to participate as approved by the Rector.
E. You are responsible for any damage to church property that occurs as a result of your use the church facilities, including dishes, furniture and so on.
F. Deliveries of flowers, etc. should be scheduled during the regular office hours of The Preschool, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Other arrangements can be negotiated with the Rector or Altar Guild Representative on duty.
G. All activities must be finished by 5 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.
ALTAR DECORATIONS & FLORIST GUIDELINES
A. NOTHING, EXCEPT CANDLES, MAY
BE PLACED ON THE ALTAR.
The altar area is not to be rearranged without the Rector’s approval.
B. Flowers may be placed in front of the altar; or as approved by Rector or Altar Guild Representative.
C. If candles are placed for decoration, they must be prevented from dripping on the floor and chairs.
D. All extra materials, candles, or flower stands must be removed immediately after the funeral.
PHOTOGRAPHS AND VIDEOTAPING
A. No flash photos are allowed during the ceremony by the guests.
B. Videotaping is allowed only if the camera and operator remain stationary and use no extra lights, with placement of camera to be arranged in consultation with the Rector or Altar Guild representative.
THE CEREMONY
A. The Funeral Ceremony is a worship service and is conducted with decorum and reverence. It is not a private act, and the Rector is under obligation to conduct it according to Church traditions.
B. The Rector of King of Peace or other ordained clergy with the Rector’s permission will be the Presiding Minister at all funerals. The bereaved may also request the Rector to invite Assisting Ministers to participate.
C. The Rector will work with the bereaved to create an individually meaningful ceremony based upon the ideas of the bereaved and the traditions of the Church.
D. If the service includes Holy Communion all Christians who are communing members in their own congregations will be invited to receive the Sacrament.
E. Family members or friends may be invited to read a lesson or share in some way in worship leadership.
MUSIC
A. If the bereaved are/is not supplying its own music/musician, a consultation with the King of Peace Church Musician should be arranged as soon as possible. The King of Peace Church Musician will discuss music possibilities with the bereaved and advise them.
B. The funeral is a sacred service, and as such, any texts that are sung or played must be from the Holy Bible, the Book of Common Prayer, or other authorized services, or the hymnals of the Episcopal Church, or theologically consistent with them.
C. The final decision on the appropriateness of the music must reside with the officiating clergy in consultation with the King of Peace Church Musician. All soloists and instrumentalists must be arranged through the Rector.
CATERING/RECEPTION
A. Arrangements can be made with the church office to use kitchen facilities and equipment.
B. It is preferred that caterers provide all their own equipment, except for coffee makers.
C. Clean up directions are explained on the Kitchen Use Guidelines form.