Funeral/Memorial Services

Westminster provides funeral, memorial, and committal services for Westminster members and their immediate family, as well as for friends of our faith community.  Our services praise God for the gift of life, witness to our trust in eternal life in Jesus Christ, remember and celebrate the life of the departed, and minister to the bereaved.

A funeral usually takes place within a short time following death, with a closed casket or urn present.  A memorial service, in which remains are not present, may take place at any time suitable for the bereaved.  A committal service takes place at a cemetery or memorial garden and may precede or follow a funeral, or take place at a separate time.

Advance Planning

Because it can be difficult to plan during a time of grief, we encourage members to make a calm appraisal of their intents and desires concerning an end-of-life service and final resting place before death is imminent.  Our pastors are available to discuss your wishes and help with planning.  We are happy to keep on file a record of your preferences and any documents you want to include related to your end-of-life planning.  For more details about our end-of-life services, download Planning and Resources Near Life’s End, a helpful booklet which contains an outline of a service, suggested scripture passages, hymns, and an end-of-life planning form.

Our Memorial Garden offers a sacred and peaceful place to memorialize the faithfully departed and house their ashes. Our garden and ossuarium is located next to our Sanctuary. Surrounded by trees and an outdoor labyrinth, our garden is a quiet, prayerful space.

Ministry at Time of Death

When a death has occurred or is imminent, contact the church office as soon as possible so you may receive pastoral care for the dying and for family and friends as well.  If the church office is closed, please leave a message for the pastor on call which can be accomplished through the “emergency” line on the church’s voicemail message after office hours.

Arranging a Service

Contact the church office to inquire about scheduling the day, time, and location for a service (Westminster, a funeral home, or cemetery).  Depending on each pastor’s availability, we will try to honor a request to have a particular pastor conduct the service.  The pastor officiating will arrange a meeting with the family to discuss and outline procedures and to help select scriptures and hymns and other components of the service.  A reception may also be discussed with the church office.  Complete details on planning a funeral, memorial, or committal service are also found within the Planning and Resources Near Life’s End booklet.