First Presbyterian Church offers a ministry of love and hope to all who grieve the loss of a loved one. We recommend holding funerals and memorial services in the sanctuary or chapel. The service of worship may be observed before or after the committal of the body. The service may include hymns, scripture, an exposition of the Word, remembrances by family members and friends of the deceased, and prayers of thanksgiving, supplication and intercession. You may consult with our pastors about any other actions to be included in the service.
A Memorial Garden in the church courtyard has been established for the cremated remains of our members and their families and friends. Arrangements for inclusion in the Memorial Garden can be made through a request to the Memorial Garden Board, and, if granted, a suggested donation of $300. The garden is a quiet and beautifully maintained setting with no visible evidence of the placement of cremains. The name, birth, and death year of the deceased can be engraved on the adjacent marble wall. You may request name only to be placed on the wall, or put the name on the wall and have the cremains placed in the garden. The placement of the cremains is done in a very brief committal service with a pastor.
Request forms may be found in the church office and additional information is available from a pastor.
All of our members are encouraged to plan in advance for their memorial service, which includes decisions about burial, cremation, and the content of the funeral service. Many people keep these instructions on file in our church office. Because the pastors are ordained to minister to our members in times of need, no fee is required for their services or for the sanctuary; however there is a $75 fee for the sexton, a $150 fee for a sound technician, and a $250 fee if an organist is requested. The fees for nonmembers are $700 for the sanctuary, $300 for a pastor, $250 for the organist (if requested), $150 for a sound technician, and $75 for the sexton. (These fees may vary depending on the type of service requested.)
