St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church will provide a funeral for anyone. The family or the deceased do not have to be a member of St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church, an Episcopalian, or a baptized Christian. Everyone deserves a dignified burial service.
In the case of a death in your family, please call the church office. We want to support and share with you at your time of loss. Please do not schedule a funeral service without talking to the priest. A funeral should be scheduled when the greatest number of friends or family can be present. The priest and the St. Mary Magdalene event planner will work with you and, if applicable your funeral director, to coordinate the service. The priest will work with you on the spiritual aspects of the service and the planner will coordinate the logistical aspects.
Funerals
Closed Casket and Funeral Pall
The coffin will be covered with a white pall. No other decoration will be used on or around the coffin. If it is desired to allow viewing of the remains, this is done before the funeral service. The purpose of the Episcopal funeral liturgy is to help us lift up our hearts and minds from the earthly to the heavenly, from death to life, from the material to the spiritual. To open the casket after, would be to bring back all anxieties, pain and grief in a rush, and to deny the message of the Resurrection.
Cremation
The Episcopal Church has no objection to cremation. The cremation may take place after the service or beforehand, in which case the ashes may be present and blessed at the service.
Interment at St. Mary Magdalene
St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church has a columbarium open to those who wish to be interred here. The columbarium provides for a specific niche for each person with a nameplate.
Music
The parish organist and soloists may be available for the service. A visiting organist will need to be approved by the St Mary Mag music team beforehand. The event planner will need to know the planned music, so proper sound system equipment is in place for the service.
Flowers
Flowers can be placed at the altar and on the windowsills. Please be sure to provide the planner with the florist’s name so delivery time can be coordinated.
Memorial Gifts
It is appropriate for the family to suggest that in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to St. Mary Magdalene Episcopal Church or another charity of meaning to the deceased.
Pallbearers
Pallbearers can be selected by the family. We can reserve a section for them (as well as the family) in the front rows.
Readers
The family working with the priest can appoint people to read a lesson or a Psalm.
Funeral Receptions
Funeral receptions can be held at the Church. The family is welcome to provide the food or to hire a caterer.
Recommended Donations
These donations should be made directly to the individuals:
- $150 – Organist
- $150 – Priest
- $150 – Soloist
The following recommended donations to the church are applicable to Non-Members only, please contact the event planner for the recommended member donations:
- $500 – for the use of the Church, cleaning, Altar guild, etc.
- $500 — for the use of the church for a reception
- $2,000 – for a Columbarium niche and nameplate, if applicable
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