We extend our deepest condolences for your loss. In the midst of your grief, you will be making decisions and arrangements. Peninsula United can help your family with arrangements for a funeral or memorial service for your loved one.
We hope that, in the words and actions we share together as we worship at a funeral or memorial service, not only will your mind and heart feel free to express the sorrow, grief, and other emotions they carry, but that your spirit will be lifted up in gratitude and even joy as we celebrate the life of a beloved child of God.
The following provides some practical information which we hope will assist you and answer concerns you may have.
To ensure that the funeral service goes smoothly, we provide a funeral host to assist with the funeral. The host will ensure that the worship space is open and closed, as well as provide guidance on setting up flowers and displays, along with other assistance.
Both honor the deceased, entrusting them to God's care, and affirming God's presence throughout life and beyond. The only difference between a funeral and a memorial is that a funeral has either a casket or cremated remains present while a memorial service does not.
The Christian funeral or memorial service is a time to remember the person who has died, commend them into God's eternal care, and to remember that "In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us. We are not alone."
A "Celebration of Life" is one part of the Christian funeral or memorial service; there is also space for people to express the grief they may feel, and which is a natural human response to loss. So, every funeral or memorial service at Crescent is a celebration of life - the life of the one who has died as well as the life we all share together in God's love and care for us.
The congregation of Peninsula United Church can assist at this time of bereavement. We are not professional caterers, but in friendship we offer to provide a pleasant setting and the opportunity for the gathering of family and friends following a service at Peninsula United Church. The memorial tea is held in the lower hall of the church which is made as attractive and comfortable as possible with chairs, tables, linens, napkins and bud vases with flowers on the tables. Flowers from upstairs will be brought down. Coffee, tea, fruit punch and lemon water are served (no alcoholic beverages).
Peninsula United Does not cater a reception but we do have a place where a reception can be held.
According to Food Safe rules, all the food supplied for the memorial teas must come from a Deli or Caterer. Families often order sandwiches, wraps, veggies and dip, cheese and fruit plates or dessert trays to serve guests. Most caterers require three days notice. The catering or deli staff are often helpful in determining the amount of food required. Please have trays of food delivered 1 to 1½ hours prior to the service.
Suggestions for caterers:
It is helpful to know the approximate number of guests expected in order to make adequate arrangements. Please arrange for someone to take home any remaining food after the tea. Volunteers will see to the setup, serving and cleanup involved in your tea. There is a memorial table set up in the lower hall for displaying pictures, flowers and the guest book from upstairs. Please coordinate with the host for the service if you would like a video to be playing during the tea. Please confirm with the minister as soon as possible if these arrangements are suitable. The minister will then notify the Memorial Tea Convenor if you have any special requests.
When the church is involved in a memorial or funeral service, families sometimes wonder about the costs involved. We hope the following guidelines will be helpful to you.
Our all-inclusive fee for a funeral or memorial service with Memorial Tea includes:
Add-ons:
To ensure that the date of the funeral is secured, we require a deposit. The remainder of the fees should be paid no later than 5 days prior to the date of the funeral.
If you are interested in having a memorial or funeral service at Peninsula United, please contact the office for more information.