I, we, and more importantly, God are sorry for your loss. If you are considering having a funeral here, please call us at (401) 294-4357 to see if we are a good fit.
Funerals are emotionally complicated. They are for grieving and they are also for celebrating, because we celebrate the gifts of the life of your loved one and more, we give thanks for the gift of Resurrection. Grief is exhausting because your poor heart is carrying all that and more. We pray to be a safe space and a balm for your wounded heart. Christians can die with the hope not only of forgiveness and the end of pain and suffering, but with the promise of our being raised to new life with God. We believe that the end of physical life is only a horizon. Butterflies are a symbol of resurrection. Did you know that butterflies struggle in the cocoon? God is with you in the struggle, that your burdens may become wings.
Funeral Planning is not event planning.
Event planning is about people. Funerals are worship, so they are about God. The events before and after the service are for sharing memories of the life of your loved one. Those stories, tears, and sometimes laughter are healing and God is with you. In Church we give thanks not only for the life of your beloved but for the greater Life into which they have now gone. We give thanks for the life and love of God which makes all life and all life beyond death possible. You plan the events. The church hosts the funeral according to the Book of Common Prayer.
Funeral Planning is not event planning.
Event planning is about people. Funerals are worship, so they are about God. The events before and after the service are for sharing memories of the life of your loved one. Those stories, tears, and sometimes laughter are healing and God is with you. In Church we give thanks not only for the life of your beloved but for the greater Life into which they have now gone. We give thanks for the life and love of God which makes all life and all life beyond death possible. You plan the events. The church hosts the funeral according to the Book of Common Prayer.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can have a funeral here regardless of your (or your loved one's) church affiliation, or lack thereof. All are loved children of God.
We use the 1979 Book of Common Prayer and the readings recommended in the Prayer Book.
Communion is encouraged, but does not have to be a part of the service. All are welcome, even encouraged, to receive communion. If guests are more comfortable receiving bread only or simply being blessed, that is fine too. We aren’t forcing anything. We use an Old Testament blessing (non-Trinitarian), for your non-Christian friends.
Timing We don’t have funerals on Sundays (that is the Lord’s day), or on Christmas Eve or Day, nor Good Friday, Holy Saturday or Easter.
Flowers The family orders the flowers; 2 vases, 1 for each pedestal behind the altar, only.
Music Our organist will play or arrange for a substitute. We play live, church appropriate music. Hymns come from the 1982 Hymnal of the Episcopal church or from the supplementary hymnal, LEVAS. That keeps us from copyright issues.
Clergy The clergy of St Paul’s will officiate and preach.
Remarks If a family member or close friend wants to speak, it happens after the prelude and before worship begins. Pastorally, you don’t have to sit uncomfortably waiting. If a eulogy is desired and the priest didn’t know the deceased, your remarks have more integrity.
We use the 1979 Book of Common Prayer and the readings recommended in the Prayer Book.
Communion is encouraged, but does not have to be a part of the service. All are welcome, even encouraged, to receive communion. If guests are more comfortable receiving bread only or simply being blessed, that is fine too. We aren’t forcing anything. We use an Old Testament blessing (non-Trinitarian), for your non-Christian friends.
Timing We don’t have funerals on Sundays (that is the Lord’s day), or on Christmas Eve or Day, nor Good Friday, Holy Saturday or Easter.
Flowers The family orders the flowers; 2 vases, 1 for each pedestal behind the altar, only.
Music Our organist will play or arrange for a substitute. We play live, church appropriate music. Hymns come from the 1982 Hymnal of the Episcopal church or from the supplementary hymnal, LEVAS. That keeps us from copyright issues.
Clergy The clergy of St Paul’s will officiate and preach.
Remarks If a family member or close friend wants to speak, it happens after the prelude and before worship begins. Pastorally, you don’t have to sit uncomfortably waiting. If a eulogy is desired and the priest didn’t know the deceased, your remarks have more integrity.
St. Paul’s has a funeral policy. Please contact the office at (401) 294-4357.
