Funeral Policy

Oxford United Methodist Church

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Funeral Policy and Procedure

The general guidelines for funerals are contained in the rubrics of the United Methodist Church as found in the Book of Worship (1992), pages 139-141. The rubrics shall determine areas where the policy of Oxford United Methodist Church is silent. Decisions concerning area outside the scope of our funeral policy and the rubrics of the United Methodist Church shall be decided at the discretion of the pastor-in-charge. Only two flower arrangements may be used during the service. The casket must remain closed inside the church. Only the liturgy and rites of the United Methodist Church as defined in the current United Methodist Book of Worship may be used in the sanctuary. [See ¶¶ 15.6, 262.11a, 1213.2 of the Book of Discipline (1992); Art. 22 of the Articles of Religion.] Military, fraternal or other services or rites may not be held inside the sanctuary of Oxford United Methodist Church.

Procedure

The pastor should be notified immediately of a death.

The Church secretary should notify the following people:

• The monthly chair of the Altar Guild
• The President of the UMW
• The head of the ushers
• The Minister of Music
• The Minister of Education

Checklist for Funeral Preparations

• the Pastor is notified
• the Secretary is notified.
• the monthly chair of the Altar Guild is notified (if funeral will be in sanctuary)
• the President of the UMW
• the head of the Ushers is notified (if funeral will be in sanctuary)
• the Minister of Music is notified
• the Minister of Education is notified
• the pastor plans service with family
• the head of ushers lines up ushers for the service
• the Minister of Music reviews music selections as outlined below
• the secretary prepares and prints bulletins

Funeral Planning and Preparation

Only music appropriate to a worship service shall be used. Instrumental music, soloists and solos, anthems, and guest musicians must have the approval of the Music Director of Oxford United Methodist Church. Taped accompaniment music may only be used at the approval and discretion of the Music Director. The use of congregational hymns is encouraged and may be selected with the pastor during the service planning process. The funeral service may be led from the Order of Worship found in The United Methodist Hymnal, pages 870-875, or from a printed bulletin.

Altar and Sanctuary Policy for Funerals

Appropriate liturgical colors for funerals and memorial services are white, purple, and red. Fresh candles will be used and the cross must remain on the altar. Collection plates, collection plate pedestal, the flags, and the flower pedestals (if not used), will be removed from the Sanctuary. Hymn numbers will be removed from the both boards. Two floral arrangements may be used. It is preferred that only flowers in the altar vases be used. A pall, a spray of flowers, or an American flag, when appropriate, may drape the casket. Either the pastor or members of the Altar Guild should inform the family that the pall may be used. (At this time we have only a purple pall). If the pall is used, two Guild members should be at the door of the sanctuary to place the pall on the casket and to remove it. The pall never leaves the church. If desired, the bell may be tolled at the end of the service.
 
 
Glory be to God