ORGANIZING FOR HEAVEN

ORGANIZING FOR HEAVEN

GETTING AFFAIRS IN ORDER

By Carolyn Barta and the Rev. Greg Pickens

The death of a loved one is a stressful time for family members and friends — and even more so for the one who also has the responsibility of planning and implementing the final arrangements for their loved one. However, this load can be lightened with just a few hours of planning. This is truly a wonderful gift to those we leave behind.

While proper planning does require some thoughtful contemplation, our Worship and Liturgy staff offers assistance with funeral plans and, if desired, inurnment in one of our sacred spaces on campus. In addition, the Pastoral Care team offers a two-session series entitled, Organizing for Heaven to help one think through the general elements of having a funeral at Saint Michael.

In the most recent series of Organizing for Heaven, the Rev. Greg Pickens, Associate for Pastoral Care, discussed various aspects of funeral planning and explained the options for choosing a sacred space at Saint Michael as a final resting place.

Beginning with a history of Christian burial, the class discussed the ramifications of deciding to choose a church rather than another venue for a funeral. Funerals at Saint Michael are distinctly Christ-centered worship services in sacred spaces and so our parish has its own history and customs that bless and guide our Episcopal funeral choices.

Next was presented an overview of the scriptures and music that constitute an important portion of a funeral and how those choices shape the message of the preacher. Also, if a short spiritual reflection is to be read by a family member, how would those words inform the memories of the congregation? This portion of the service is an opportunity for the congregation to hear about the values that guide and support a life in Christ.

The class then talked through the generalities of funeral bulletin offerings and the ways a single page Order of Service is different from a tri-fold format. Finally, the topic of funeral receptions was brought up. Saint Michael receptions are held in the Parlor or Garden Cloister. Families may choose something as simple as coffee and cookies or they may opt to engage a catering company for a more elaborate food offering. The Worship and Liturgy staff can provide contact information for specific caterers who have worked with Saint Michael previously.

The second meeting of Organizing for Heaven was devoted to the options of inurning the ashes of loved ones at Saint Michael. Saint Michael has three Columbaria as sacred sites of inurnment. They are places of quiet remembrance, prayer, and peaceful places for loved ones to gather in remembrance. The three locations are the Narthex (or original) Columbarium, the Saint Michael Chapel Columbarium, and the Courtyard Columbarium; each built at different times and with distinct stylistic features.

Green Interment in the South Courtyard was also discussed for those wishing their ashes to be placed in the ground without an urn. For those choosing this method, there is a memorial wall in the courtyard where one may choose to have a brass name plate in memorial. The gathering ended with a walk to each Columbarium. As Fr. Pickens said: “There is solace knowing your loved one is in a sacred space at Saint Michael.”

Organizing for Heaven is a survey designed to get one thinking about the general process of a funeral at Saint Michael. If not quite ready to make final decisions, saintmichael.org/funeral is where a little more detail is presented. There you will find the most up to date information as well as Saint Michael’s Funeral Guide that offers specific recommendations for hymn and scripture readings.

At some point, your funeral plans will need to be finalized and worship spaces reserved. This is when a discussion with Fr. Andrew Grosso, Associate for Worship and Liturgy, will be most helpful.

Fr. Grosso said: “Planning ahead is a gift both to one’s family and to oneself. On the one hand, planning ahead makes things much easier for one’s family when the time comes to arrange for a funeral; having a plan in place helps ensure families are able to devote their attention and their time to things other than logistics. On the other hand, planning ahead also gives one the opportunity to think about their relationship with God and how the life they’re living is preparing them for the life to come. Planning one’s own funeral can be a real opportunity to come to grips with one’s mortality and more importantly, to come to grips with one’s relationship with God.”