The First Congregational
United Church of Christ
Downers Grove, IL
Funeral/Memorial Service Guidelines
At First Congregational United Church of Christ we boldly proclaim at the death of a loved one that death does not have the final word in that loved one’s life. As Jesus reminds us, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die like everyone else, I say to you they will live again.” John 11:25
It is in the faith, hope and love of Christ that we celebrate and honor the death of those in our faith community, believing that death in Christ has lost its sting and god has yet more in store for us.
However, we also recognize that death can be sudden and painful, and that all of us grieve differently.
At the face of death we discover that not only do we need to grieve and cry but also to plan
the service and the reception, while often dealing with different family dynamics, sometimes legal issues and filing of paperwork that we never in a million years imagined we’d be doing. In the midst of this heartache and pain we are reminded of a God Who holds us in love, even through our greatest loss and suffering.
“Who will separate us from the love of Christ?
Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword. No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through the One who loved us. For I am convinced 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 Jesus Christ.” Romans 8:34-
As members and staff of The First Congregational UCC Downers Grove, we will do our utmost to provide assistance during this difficult time. Our Pastor will meet with you to plan the service,schedule an organist, get the word to those who can help plan and provide a reception. For members, a donation to cover only the actual costs of any food is appreciated. The fee for pastoral services is also discretionary.
The Memorial Garden on church grounds is available and affords members, families and friends:
• The privilege of the interment of remains or the scattering of ashes
• The opportunity to memorialize a loved one
• The perfect setting for quiet meditation and prayer
Planning for the interment should be made through the Minister.
Fees Members/ Non-Members
Church Building use: none /$ 500.00
Organist: $ 200.00/ $ 250.00
Officiating Minister: $ 200.00/(discretionary) $ 250.00