Funerals
A Word from our pastor
Pastor Aaron Smith shares what a Christian funeral means at Grace Lutheran — and why the Church’s role in death and grief is one of the most important things it does.
The planning Process
We know that planning a funeral often happens quickly and under significant emotional weight. Pastor Smith and our church office will guide you through every step. We do this regularly, so please let us assist and lead you through what is already a difficult and trying time for you.
1. Submit the Request Form/Contact the Church Office
Reach out to the church office or contact Pastor Smith directly as soon as you are able. This is important, especially to confirm available of our pastor and our sanctuary. This also provides clarity with expectations on our part and your part. We will confirm availability, discuss the timeline, and begin coordinating with you and your funeral home.
2. Meet with Pastor Smith
Pastor will meet with you in person to hear about your loved one, discuss the service, select Scripture readings and hymns, and walk through what to expect on the day.
3. Plan the Service
Together with Pastor Smith, you will finalize the order of service, any personal tributes or eulogies, music, and logistical details. The church office will coordinate with your chosen funeral home as needed.
4. Receive the Service
On the day of the funeral, your only responsibility is to be present and to receive what God gives through his Word and his people. We will take care of everything else.
Contact Pastor
Click the button below to fill out a brief request form and Pastor Smith will contact you to answer questions.
For non-members, a donation is requested to help us continue offering this service.
GRIEF, HOPE, AND THE CROSS
A funeral of the Church is not a celebration of a life lived, but rather the sharing of true hope before the harsh reality of death. It is a service in which the Church gathers to grieve honestly, to commend the departed into God’s hands, and to hear again the promise that death has been defeated.
At Grace Lutheran, we do not soften death or dress it up. We face it with the full weight of what it is — and call it what it is. This is not a popular notion today – not even in churches. But we face it in this way so we can share the full weight of what Christ has done. The cross stands at the center of every service we conduct, because the resurrection is the only answer that death cannot silence.
If you have lost someone, or if you are planning ahead for yourself or a loved one, we are here. Pastor Smith will walk with you through every step.
A funeral service is where the body is present at the service. A memorial service is where the body is not present at the service. Grace Lutheran conducts services for both. Funeral service is the term used here, but everything applies equally to memorial services as well.
“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, 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.” — Romans 8:38–39
What the church offers in death and grief
The Certainty of the Resurrection Christ rose bodily from the dead, and all who are baptized into Him share in that promise. A Christian funeral proclaims this without apology — death is real, and so is what comes after it.
A Place to Grieve The Church does not ask you to hold it together. The Psalms are full of lament, and so is the Christian funeral. We grieve — but not as those who have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13).
The Comfort of God’s Word In the middle of grief, human words run out. Scripture does not. The readings, prayers, and proclamation at a funeral speak what no eulogy can — that God himself has conquered the last enemy.
The Presence of the Congregation You do not grieve alone. The body of Christ gathers around a family in loss, bears their burden, and stands with them as witnesses to the promise that God keeps his word.
WHAT WE BELIEVE ABOUT death and burial
The Scriptures speak about death as the separation of the soul and the body. When God created humanity, He created us as human beings – both body and soul. Death is an intrusion upon God’s act of creation. Death is a direct consequence of sin – humans choosing their will over the will of God.
But Christ has borne that consequence in full. For those who die in faith, death does not have the last word. The bodily resurrection of Christ does!
“Christ has taken away sin, which is the cause of death, and has also abolished death itself… He has made it so that death is no longer a punishment but a sleep, and that the name ‘death’ itself should be replaced by the name ‘sleep.'” — Martin Luther, Sermon on Preparing to Die
Burial and Cremation Grace Lutheran recognizes that burial practices vary among families and cultures. Traditional burial is consistent with the historic practice of the Church of commending the body to the earth in anticipation of the resurrection. Cremation is not prohibited, though families with questions are encouraged to speak with Pastor Smith.
The Service Itself A funeral at Grace Lutheran is a service of worship. It will include Scripture, prayer, proclamation of the Gospel, and committal. Eulogies and personal tributes may be incorporated after a discussion with Pastor Smith. Since the service is done at Church, all shared must align with Scriptural teaching, though personal notes are invited and important. The important healing process includes stories being told, and we encourage those to take place at the reception, where an open mic is offered. The focus of the service is Christ — his death, his resurrection, and his promise to those who belong to him. This is what provides comfort, peace, and assurance and what God asks the Church to provide the world.
For Members and Non-Members Pastor Smith is available to conduct funerals for members of Grace Lutheran as well as for families who are not part of our congregation. If you have lost someone and are not sure where to turn, please reach out. We will not turn a grieving family away.
Frequently asked questions
Does the deceased need to have been a member of Grace Lutheran?
Not necessarily. Pastor Smith is available to serve families who are not members of our congregation. Please reach out and he will be in touch to discuss your situation with care and without pressure.
Can Pastor Smith conduct a funeral at a funeral home or graveside rather than the church?
Yes. While Grace Lutheran’s sanctuary is available for funeral services, Pastor Smith is able to conduct services at funeral homes, gravesites, or other locations. Please discuss your preferences when you contact the church.
What does the service include?
A funeral at Grace Lutheran is conducted as a Christian worship service. It will include an invocation, Scripture readings, a sermon, prayers, and a committal. The service is designed to proclaim the Gospel and bring comfort — not to perform grief, but to speak truth into it. We honor your loved one specifically through highlighting the gifts of God to them — faith and salvation through Christ.
How long is the service?
The length of the service will vary depending on the family’s wishes and whether a graveside committal follows. Pastor Smith will walk you through the full order during your planning meeting.
Can we choose the music and Scripture readings?
Yes. Hymns and Scripture passages will be selected in conversation with Pastor Smith. Families are welcome to make requests, and Pastor Smith will help ensure that all elements are consistent with the teachings of Scripture. If you are unsure where to begin, he will guide you.
Is a graveside committal included?
A graveside committal may be conducted following the funeral service, either at a local cemetery or a location of the family’s choosing. Pastor Smith will coordinate with your funeral home to ensure the committal is conducted with the same care as the service itself.
Can we include a eulogy or personal tributes?
Personal tributes may be incorporated at Pastor Smith’s discretion. He will discuss this with you during the planning meeting. The goal is to honor your loved one while keeping the focus of the service where it belongs — on Christ and his promises.
What if we need to plan a funeral very quickly?
Please contact the church office or Pastor Smith directly and as soon as possible. We understand that funerals often cannot wait, and we will do everything we can to accommodate your timeline.
Is there a fee for the funeral service?
Please contact the church office for information on any fees or suggested contributions associated with facility use and pastoral services. For families who are not currently members of Grace Lutheran, a donation is requested to help us continue offering these services to families in our community for years to come.
Does Grace Lutheran offer any grief support after the funeral?
Pastor Smith is available for ongoing pastoral care following the loss of a loved one. If you are a member of Grace Lutheran, your church family is here for you. If you are not a member, you are still welcome to reach out. Grief does not end when the service does, and neither does our concern for you.
What if I am not sure I believe — can I still come to you?
Yes. You do not need to have your faith figured out to walk through our doors or pick up the phone. Pastor Smith will meet you where you are. Grief has a way of raising the deepest questions, and those questions are welcome here.
Can we have a reception at the church after the service?
The fellowship hall may be available following the service. Please contact the church office to discuss availability, setup, and any applicable guidelines.
Can we take photos or video during the service?
Families may capture the service as they see fit. We ask only that it be done with sensitivity to the worship setting and to others who are grieving.
How do we coordinate with our funeral home?
The church office will work directly with your chosen funeral home to coordinate logistics. You do not need to manage that communication yourself — we will handle it.