Galilee Missionary Baptist Church Funeral Policy and Guide
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4
Funeral Policies and Guidelines
Even for Christians, the death of a loved one is a difficult experience. We grieve the loss of one who has been close, but we do not sorrow as those who have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4: 13). It is our desire and privilege to minister to the families of our congregation in their time of need. It is through the Word of God that we have hope at the time of the death of a loved one (Romans 15: 4). This policy is provided to assist our families in planning and providing a Christian funeral.
Although funeral services may be held in funeral homes, the best place for conducting a funeral service upon the death of a Christian is in the sanctuary of the church to which he or she belonged. By having the service at The Galilee MB Church, all who attend will be reminded of our hope and assurance in Jesus Christ. Therefore, all members of The Galilee MB Church are encouraged to use the church sanctuary for funeral services.
There can be alternative methods for the conducting of services at the time of death. These could include a private graveside service for family members as soon after death as possible and/or a public service of worship (a memorial service) conducted at the church later. However, funeral worship services will only be conducted in the church sanctuary. The secretary or Pastor will be happy to meet with the family to plan the funeral worship arrangements.
Date and Time of Funerals
Dates and times for funerals at The Galilee MB Church are to be arranged in consultation with the Pastor based on availability and the preferences of the deceased’s family. The Pastor must approve all funeral arrangements at The Galilee MB Church. Decisions concerning areas outside the scope of this funeral policy shall be decided at the discretion of the Pastor.
Funeral services will need to be planned around already scheduled sanctuary events (such as weddings, conferences, workshops, etc.).
Who Will Officiate?
Pastoral ethics require that Galilee MB Church’s Pastor or an Associate Minister from The Galilee MBC Church conduct all funeral services held at Galilee MB Church unless by agreement with another pastor, he/she is invited to share in the services or act on behalf of the
Pastor of Galilee MB Church. Any requests for another pastor to officiate or assist in the service must be approved by Galilee MB Church’s Pastor.
Structure of the Funeral Service
A funeral service held in the church sanctuary is a service of worship, celebrating the deceased’s life and the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ. Consequently, all parts of the service are to be consistent with the present worship practices of the church. Generally, the outline for the funeral and interment services will take on the traditional form of Galilee MB Church. The family may suggest other items to be included in these services, with the approval of the Pastor of GALILEE MBC.
Funerals for Non-members and Inactive Members
Conducting funerals for people who have no connection with the church is a normal part of the ministerial obligation. However, it is up to the discretion of the Pastor of GALILEE MBC to allow the funeral of a non-member or inactive member to be held at Galilee MBC.
Funeral Music
Only music appropriate to a worship service shall be used. Galilee MBC Minister of Music or appointee will coordinate the selection of the music for all funeral services. In cases where an outside organist/pianist is desired, permission must be secured from the Pastor and Minister of Music. Additional musicians or soloists may be utilized.
Praise Dancers
Dress modestly for all dances to not draw attention away from God. (Legs, stomachs, chest, etc. must be completely covered with loose-fitting garments). No tanks or shorts allowed. Music must be fitted for worship and presented to the audio support team 24 hours before the service.
Video Presentation
If a video is to be used during the viewing, it must be submitted to the media support team two days prior to the funeral service for review. All presentations should be in a digital format. The background music must be preapproved by team member of GALILEE MBC.
Decorations
Families may wish the deceased’s remains to lie in repose, as well as display certain mementos or photographs of the deceased and his/her family. The following guidelines would be applicable in these situations:
Flowers
Only fresh cut flowers and planters may be used in the sanctuary during funeral services.
Closed Casket
All caskets must be closed during the funeral services, but may be open during the viewing (or preceding the viewing, for the family only), if desired. When closed, the flower blanket, flag or coverlet will cover the casket. The casket remains closed throughout the service. The funeral director in cooperation with the Senior Pastor of GALILEE MBC will have direction over such matters as timing, closed caskets, music, flowers, etc.
Childcare
The church does not provide childcare for funeral services.
Parking / Traffic Assistance
Parking assistance is customarily provided by the funeral home. The Galilee MB Church will not assist in traffic control.
Family Repast
The church will do everything reasonably possible to accommodate a member’s request for a family meal for up to 75 people which will be served immediately after the funeral service. The meal is prepared and packed to go by our care ministry team. Only active members of the church and their immediate family will be eligible for this ministry.
There is no fee charged for this meal ministry, nor is there any cost for preparation and serving; however, free will donations are accepted. Members of the church provide this service as a ministry in the spirit of Christian love. Our mission is to serve as inspired by God. This service is not provided for Non-members or inactive members.
Fees
If the deceased or a member of their immediate family (spouse, parents, children, siblings) is an active member* of Galilee MB Church there is no fee for the use of the facilities. For all other individuals, additional fees will be assessed. Those who have been members of Galilee MB Church but now are considered inactive members will pay the same fees as non-members. Fees are payable (by cash or through Zelle or Cash App “Galilee Missionary Baptist Church”) prior to the day of the funeral. Normally, honorariums for the pastor, musicians and sound techs are paid the day of the service.
Even for Christians, the death of a loved one is a difficult experience. We grieve the loss of one who has been close, but we do not sorrow as those who have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4: 13). It is our desire and privilege to minister to the families of our congregation in their time of need. It is through the Word of God that we have hope at the time of the death of a loved one (Romans 15: 4). This policy is provided to assist our families in planning and providing a Christian funeral.
Although funeral services may be held in funeral homes, the best place for conducting a funeral service upon the death of a Christian is in the sanctuary of the church to which he or she belonged. By having the service at The Galilee MB Church, all who attend will be reminded of our hope and assurance in Jesus Christ. Therefore, all members of The Galilee MB Church are encouraged to use the church sanctuary for funeral services.
There can be alternative methods for the conducting of services at the time of death. These could include a private graveside service for family members as soon after death as possible and/or a public service of worship (a memorial service) conducted at the church later. However, funeral worship services will only be conducted in the church sanctuary. The secretary or Pastor will be happy to meet with the family to plan the funeral worship arrangements.
Date and Time of Funerals
Dates and times for funerals at The Galilee MB Church are to be arranged in consultation with the Pastor based on availability and the preferences of the deceased’s family. The Pastor must approve all funeral arrangements at The Galilee MB Church. Decisions concerning areas outside the scope of this funeral policy shall be decided at the discretion of the Pastor.
Funeral services will need to be planned around already scheduled sanctuary events (such as weddings, conferences, workshops, etc.).
Who Will Officiate?
Pastoral ethics require that Galilee MB Church’s Pastor or an Associate Minister from The Galilee MBC Church conduct all funeral services held at Galilee MB Church unless by agreement with another pastor, he/she is invited to share in the services or act on behalf of the
Pastor of Galilee MB Church. Any requests for another pastor to officiate or assist in the service must be approved by Galilee MB Church’s Pastor.
Structure of the Funeral Service
A funeral service held in the church sanctuary is a service of worship, celebrating the deceased’s life and the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ. Consequently, all parts of the service are to be consistent with the present worship practices of the church. Generally, the outline for the funeral and interment services will take on the traditional form of Galilee MB Church. The family may suggest other items to be included in these services, with the approval of the Pastor of GALILEE MBC.
Funerals for Non-members and Inactive Members
Conducting funerals for people who have no connection with the church is a normal part of the ministerial obligation. However, it is up to the discretion of the Pastor of GALILEE MBC to allow the funeral of a non-member or inactive member to be held at Galilee MBC.
Funeral Music
Only music appropriate to a worship service shall be used. Galilee MBC Minister of Music or appointee will coordinate the selection of the music for all funeral services. In cases where an outside organist/pianist is desired, permission must be secured from the Pastor and Minister of Music. Additional musicians or soloists may be utilized.
Praise Dancers
Dress modestly for all dances to not draw attention away from God. (Legs, stomachs, chest, etc. must be completely covered with loose-fitting garments). No tanks or shorts allowed. Music must be fitted for worship and presented to the audio support team 24 hours before the service.
Video Presentation
If a video is to be used during the viewing, it must be submitted to the media support team two days prior to the funeral service for review. All presentations should be in a digital format. The background music must be preapproved by team member of GALILEE MBC.
Decorations
Families may wish the deceased’s remains to lie in repose, as well as display certain mementos or photographs of the deceased and his/her family. The following guidelines would be applicable in these situations:
- Any displays or pictures must be appropriate to a worship setting;
- No nails, tacks, staples or screws shall be put in the walls or attached to the pews;
- All items must be removed within 1 hour of the conclusion of the service;
- No furnishings shall be moved or removed from the premises of GALILEE MBC.
Flowers
Only fresh cut flowers and planters may be used in the sanctuary during funeral services.
Closed Casket
All caskets must be closed during the funeral services, but may be open during the viewing (or preceding the viewing, for the family only), if desired. When closed, the flower blanket, flag or coverlet will cover the casket. The casket remains closed throughout the service. The funeral director in cooperation with the Senior Pastor of GALILEE MBC will have direction over such matters as timing, closed caskets, music, flowers, etc.
Childcare
The church does not provide childcare for funeral services.
Parking / Traffic Assistance
Parking assistance is customarily provided by the funeral home. The Galilee MB Church will not assist in traffic control.
Family Repast
The church will do everything reasonably possible to accommodate a member’s request for a family meal for up to 75 people which will be served immediately after the funeral service. The meal is prepared and packed to go by our care ministry team. Only active members of the church and their immediate family will be eligible for this ministry.
There is no fee charged for this meal ministry, nor is there any cost for preparation and serving; however, free will donations are accepted. Members of the church provide this service as a ministry in the spirit of Christian love. Our mission is to serve as inspired by God. This service is not provided for Non-members or inactive members.
Fees
If the deceased or a member of their immediate family (spouse, parents, children, siblings) is an active member* of Galilee MB Church there is no fee for the use of the facilities. For all other individuals, additional fees will be assessed. Those who have been members of Galilee MB Church but now are considered inactive members will pay the same fees as non-members. Fees are payable (by cash or through Zelle or Cash App “Galilee Missionary Baptist Church”) prior to the day of the funeral. Normally, honorariums for the pastor, musicians and sound techs are paid the day of the service.
Use of Sanctuary
*Active Member
For the purposes of this policy, active members are defined as those members of The Galilee MB Church who regularly attend church services and contribute to the church as they are generally. provide regular financial and personal support for the church. This designation is also extended
to the following:
For the purposes of this policy, active members are defined as those members of The Galilee MB Church who regularly attend church services and contribute to the church as they are generally. provide regular financial and personal support for the church. This designation is also extended
to the following:
- Homebound members
- Those who have served as former pastors/ministers of The Galilee MBC
- Away for education, serving the country or working abroad.