Funerals

The death of a Christian is not entirely a mournful affair. Funerals are both a time for surviving family to grieve and for the Christian community to celebrate the promises that God has made to the person who has died. We live in the hope of the resurrection.

Arrangements to use Gloria Dei Lutheran Church for a funeral or memorial service can be made through a local funeral home or by contacting the church office to check availability in the event of the death of a loved one.

The Pastor will meet with the family individually to plan a worship service that will suit the needs of the family.

The Memorial Garden

The Memorial Garden is located on the church grounds behind the church on the north side utilizing the wooded area, stone wall, and part of the church lawn. It is to be used for the interment of ashes. The guiding concept of the Memorial Garden is to provide a simple, dignified memorial for the remains of loved ones placed there. It is also to be a place for rest, meditation and prayer.

Burial Right Certificates

Burial Right Certificates may be purchased at any time through the church offices. This precludes decisions having to be made under stress and emotion at the time of death.

Within the garden, certain specific areas have been reserved for the interment of ashes. One area is for the interment of ashes in biodegradable containers. Each burial plot in this section is large enough to accommodate two interments if desired. The cost of one interment is $400. The cost of two interments in the same plot is $500. This cost includes the cost of opening and closing the plot and the engraving of the deceased's name and dates of birth and death on a leaded brass plaque. After interment, the exact location of the burial plot is recorded in a permanent church document.

Other areas in the garden are for those who wish to loosely scatter the ashes of the deceased. The cost for one interment is $400 (two for $500) and includes the cost of engraving the deceased's name and dates of birth and death on a leaded brass plaque. The brass plaques will be mounted on the memorial stone.

Who May Use the Garden?

The Memorial Garden is for the use of church members, their families and friends of the church who may request interment.

Memorial Book

A Memorial Book has been established and is maintained by the Memorial Garden Committee to record biographical and genealogical information about those interred. The Committee will enter basic information to be supplemented by material the familiy may wish to contribute. The Memorial Book will be in the church office.