Steps to Plan a Funeral –“The Celebration of a Life”
December 7th 2015 (until revised by the Rector’s canonical successor)
Almighty God, Father of mercies and giver of comfort: Deal
graciously, we pray, with all who mourn; that, casting all
their care on you, they may know the consolation of your
love; through your risen son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Introduction: A funeral is understood to be a celebration of a person’s life because of
the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The worship service should reflect this element of faith
foundational to the Church itself. The parish staff stands ready to support families as they
face the death of a loved one in the context of the Church and resurrection faith. These
steps are provided for the orderly development of funeral plans.
Step One: Anticipate the Need for a Funeral Home
It is never too early to contact a funeral home and alert them to an impending need. They
will “open a file” and be ready to serve you. This can be done over the phone or by
visiting and making some choices.
In our 19 years of experience, which does not guarantee quality of services, we can
recommend the following:
1. For a casket funeral, you should consider Fairfax Funeral Home:
9902 Braddock Road, Fairfax, Virginia 22032, 703-425-9702
2. For cremation services, we recommend Advent Funeral Home in Falls Church:
703-241-7402, 7211 Lee Highway, Falls Church, VA 22046
3. Please keep in mind the advantages of using the Good Shepherd Memorial
Garden. Cost is $900 for perpetual care.
Step Two: Report the Impending Death or Death
All lives are equally and infinitely precious for God, and therefore, the parish staff stands
ready to support you in your time of need. This can begin with any person when death
appears to be soon.
Please contact the pastoral associates, the Rev. Philip Johnston and Carol Lawton
Johnston, pastoral associates, who can help prepare a loved one and family before the
time of death.
The passing of any person should be reported directly to them in one of two ways:
Carol/Phil Johnston at 703-266-6802 or by calling the Church, 703-323-5400 and by
calling the clergy on call.
They may be able to come to your loved ones for prayers before the body is removed to
the funeral home.
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They will notify the Senior Warden and Minister of Music that the death has occurred.
Step Three: Date and Time of the Funeral
Please select a date and time for the funeral which accords with your family needs and
which complies with the availability of the staff and the building. The most useful way
to do this is to begin by finding out the two best options for the family. Then check with
Fr. Phil and Carol for availability and see which one works.
Fr. Phil and Carol will then (1) place the funeral on the calendar, and (2) notify the editor
of the eShepherd staff to announce the celebration of life. If you know what memorial
will be designated, she will be happy to include that information in the Constant Contact
email to the parish and the electronic newsletter.
They will also contact the parish office manager or administrator to make sure that all
potential conflicts are addressed – such as moving a group to another location.
They will contact Carleen Dixon Webb, Director of Music Ministries; she will determine
who will play the service.
Step Four: The Funeral Conference
Fr. Phil and Carol will meet with the family to plan the service. The norm for the
celebration of life is within the context of the Holy Eucharist (which means
“thanksgiving” as the principal celebration of Sunday worship). All Christians are
invited to partake; those of other religions are deeply respected.
It is the prerogative of the Director of Music Ministries, Carleen Dixon Webb, to attend
this conference or to work individually with the family.
At the conference, the following will be done:
 A “master copy” of the funeral service will be provided,
 Lessons with readers will be selected,
(Poetry or other appropriate readings may be used in addition to the lessons)
 Prayers with readers will be selected,
 A eulogist or more, if available, will be invited to speak (but we do not observe an
open “mic”)
 A biography and picture may be given for the bulletin,
 The memorial fund or charity of choice will be selected with address for the
bulletin.
If present, the Director of Music Ministry, will guide the family in selecting appropriate
sacred music for the service. Some music, while significant and meaningful for the
family, is best played at the reception.
Fees
A discussion of the fees will also take place and arrangement for payment:
The parish will provide these “subcontracted employees.”
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--a celebrant/preacher (cost $300),
--an organist (cost $300)
--flowers ($150) unless the funeral is on a Saturday and you wish to use Sunday’s flowers
at no charge.
--No charge for parishioners or family members of parishioners for the bulletins and use
of the building, or the projector/screen.
These fees are payable directly to the minister and musician and are due before the
service. These checks should be clearly marked and may be left earlier in the week in the
parish office or mailed directly. They should not be left until the day of the service.
Family Responsibilities (which are identified at the conference)
1. A Power Pt Presentation, if developed by the family, can be shown with our
projector and on our screen. Please work with Bob Hall at 702- 426-8291,
rhall@bb.com or abgjhall@verizon.net .
2. The Reception is the responsibility of the family. We have worked with an
outstanding caterer and can recommend him (without guaranteeing services):
Contact: Bob Evans, owner of Red Rock Café,
Address: 13850 Braddock Rd, Centreville, VA 20121
Phone: (703) 815-6900
Call him direct at 703-303-0154
His catering service has provided high quality food, with professional service and
has always been reliable. Many parishioners have passed on their
recommendations.
Step Six: Contact Service Participants
Following the funeral conference, the pastoral associates and the family will contact
participants for the service. The Johnston’s will contact the following:
Packy Daniels with the flower order—ASAP!
David Jones as the MC
David Allder, funeral ministry
Ed Post, Ushers—if needed
Jim Weber, Altar Guild
Step Five: The Draft of the Worship Service
Fr. Phil and Carol will write a draft of the bulletin, using one of the templates from our
data base; The Director of Music Ministries will input the music selections. This draft
will be sent to the family for their review. They will send an email to Fr. Phil and Carol
listing any changes for the bulletin. They send an email to Carleen Dixon Webb with any
questions. Fr. Phil and Carol will be responsible for completing the final draft and
sending it to the office manager or administrator. They will indicate the color of paper
and the number of expected attendees as well as the date for the bulletin completion.
Principle Contact Information
The Parish Office Manager or Administrator 703-323-5400
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Phil & Carol Johnston
Carleen Dixon Webb
Packy Daniels (flowers)
703-266-6802
703 606 6029
703-239-0507
episcopro@aol.com
carleendix@aol.com
pacdaniels1028@aol.com
Note from the Prayer Book
The liturgy for the dead is an Easter liturgy. It finds all meaning in the
resurrection. Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we too, shall be
raised.
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."
This joy, however, does not make human grief unchristian. The very 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. 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.
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