Funerals

 

Whether or not people have a current religious affiliation, they often experience the death of someone close to them as a sacred occasion to be marked by a worship service.  The presence of an ordained minister to conduct the service to celebrate their life can help to facilitate this.  Fonthill United Church’s minister, the Rev. Dr. Garry van Bruchem, is available to conduct services and to offer pastoral care to anyone regardless of their religious affiliation.   The church is also available for funeral and memorial services.  We have good relationships with all of the local funeral homes in this area and work closely with them.  When no funeral home is involved we are able to assist in conducting a memorial service for the person who has died.

When a funeral or memorial service is being planned, the minister will ordinarily ask to meet with the family so as to make the service more personal.  Funeral services are designed to suit the needs of the family, but a typical order of service goes like this:

·         Prelude music

·         Introduction and welcome

·         Opening Prayers

·         Words of Remembrance
          (A eulogy by a family member or friend.)

·         Musical selection
          (A Hymn sung by the congregation or a performance of favourite music.)

·         Readings from the Bible or other sources

·         Words of Hope
          (A Meditation on scripture.)

·         Pastoral Prayers
          (Thanksgiving for the life of the person who died and prayers for family and friends.)

·         Commendation
          (Words to commend the person’s life to God’s care and keeping.)

·         Blessing

This service may be followed by a short service of committal at the cemetery or place of disposition of ashes. Funeral and memorial services are commonly held in the church, the Funeral Home chapel or at the graveside. 

 

Guidelines for the Words of Remembrance (also called a Eulogy)

 

Contact information for Funeral Services:

Pedlar’s Funeral Home,
1292 Pelham Street, Fonthill, 905 892-5762
http://www.pedlarfuneralhome.ca/

Pleasantview Memorial Gardens,
2250 Highway #20, Fonthill,  905 892-2611
http://pleasantviewcemetery.ca/

Lampman Funeral Home,
724 Canboro Rd  905-892-4701