MEMORIAL/FUNERAL SERVICE

Planning the Service
Our clergy staff can lead and assist in planning a memorial or funeral service. A memorial service usually involves a worship celebration with an urn after cremation and/or no coffin. A funeral service is a worship celebration with the coffin present. Burial services can precede or follow the funeral service. The services are similar in format. Our clergy will assist you in choosing scripture, music, hymns, etc. We very much want the service to be a celebration of your loved one’s life and a time to worship God. Clergy will meet with you and your family to plan the service and make arrangements. We do provide ushers to assist with services at Kingswood. In addition, altar cloths and banners will reflect the church season. Our clergy can lead services off-site.
Costs and Arrangements
For Members and Friends
  • Use of the Sanctuary – Complimentary
  • Printed Programs – Complimentary
  • Sound Technician - $100
  • Organist - $150
  • Soloist -$150
  • Clergy Honorarium – At your discretion
For Those Beyond Kingswood
  • Use of Sanctuary - $120
  • Printed Programs - $100
  • Sound Technician - $100
  • Organist - $150
  • Soloist - $150
  • Custodial Fee -$100
  • Clergy Honorarium – Suggested $200
Visitation, Meals and Receptions
Food and Beverage Service: At a funeral service or memorial service, we have three possible food/drink options to offer:
  • Option #1 : Tea/Coffee/Water/Cookie Reception – All ordered by the church and set up in the Fireside Room outside of the sanctuary or the Activity Center. Servers/Set-up will be done by church volunteers. Cups, plates, napkins, and cutlery are provided by the church.
  • Option #2: A lunch before or following the service provided through catering which is ordered by the family or friends. Suggested catering restaurants in our area are :
Servers of the lunch will be church volunteers and desserts/lemonade /coffee/water will be provided. The lunches take place in the Activity Center and set-up and clean-up are provided by church volunteers. Cups, plates, napkins, and cutlery are provided by the church. Please make arrangements for the use of leftover food with the clergy or church staff.  PLEASE NOTE: Catered meals must be delivered and ready to serve. We need an estimate of attendees for set-up purposes. Please give this number to the clergy as soon as possible.
  • Option #3: Lunch or meal offsite. If you choose to use a restaurant, we suggest Palm Court, Continental, or Jameson’s, all near the church.  

Costs for onsite meals are:
  • Costs for lunch set-up; servers; clean-up & desserts are $5 per person (please give the pastor an estimate.)
  • Costs for cookie/coffee reception set-up/clean -up are $3 per person (please give the pastor an estimate.)
Checks can be made payable to Kingswood United Methodist Church.

Other Details & Arrangements
Tables for displays and photos are available. Flowers are welcome for the service. You are invited to arrange for their use after the service. PowerPoint/Video presentations are possible, but they should be on a flash drive/DVD and delivered to the church office at least two days before the service. We do not provide a guest sign-in book.

Memorial Gifts at Kingswood
Remembering and honoring someone with a memorial gift to Kingswood Church can be a sacred way to give thanks for a dear friend or loved one.
Kingswood seeks to love God and serve others through various ministries and mission opportunities. You can ask persons to make memorial donations in memory of your friend or loved one. Church staff will keep records of those donations and send thank you cards to them. We can also provide you with a list that allows you to thank the donors personally. The memorial fund for your loved one can support outreach ministries like our homeless shelter, Food Pantry, disaster relief, or annual Mission Trips. The donations could also support scholarships, Children's Ministry, the memorial garden, Parents Day Out, the Kingswood Endowment, and many other opportunities. Memorials can also be used for special projects and building/facility needs.  You can visit further with clergy staff in more detail about your decision about a memorial and its use.

If you would like to discuss options for memorial or funeral service planning, please contact Pastor James.

Please know that our clergy, staff, and church community offer our comfort and prayers to you as you grieve the loss of your loved one. We pray for Christ’s hope and care for you.