​Eligibility for memorial and funeral services held at Grace Congregational Church:

 

​Members: All Grace Congregational Church members and their immediate families (spouse, parents, and children) are welcome to be memorialized/funeralized by a GCC pastor or other ministerial staff at Grace Congregational Church. 

 

​Non-Members: Memorial/Funeral services for non-members, led by a GCC pastor or other ministerial staff and held at Grace Congregational Church, requires approval of the GCC Senior Pastor or GCC Executive Pastor and is subject to a facility rental agreement.

 

​Other Clergy: If a non GCC staff clergy is requested by family members of the deceased to officiate the memorial/funeral service held at Grace Congregational Church, he/she must be approved by the GCC Senior Pastor or GCC Executive Pastor.

 

Officiant Requests for a GCC pastor or other ministerial staff to conduct memorial and funeral services at a location other than Grace Congregational Church is subject to availability, approval by the GCC Senior Pastor or GCC Executive Pastor and the following fee schedule:

 

​Members: A GCC pastor or other ministerial staff is provided to officiate a memorial/funeral service held at Grace Congregational Church free of charge. Note: Travel fees may be incurred for member memorial/funeral services held at a venue beyond 20 miles roundtrip from Houston, TX 77047.

 

​Non-Members: A GCC pastor or other ministerial staff is provided to officiate a memorial/funeral service for a fee of $150 plus travel fees, if applicable.

 

​Travel Fees: Travel to the service venue beyond 20 miles roundtrip from Houston, TX 77047 incurs a travel fee. In some cases, a travel fee may apply based on time to travel/return from service venue. The following fee schedule applies:​

 

21 to 34 miles roundtrip - $35

35 to 49 miles roundtrip - $50
50 to 74 miles roundtrip - $75
75 to 100 miles roundtrip - $125 

 

Guidelines for Funeral/Memorial Services held at Grace Congregational Church:

 

1. ​Please complete the Funeral/Memorial Service Request Form, available online or as a printed copy.​

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2. Use of the facility is subject to availability.

a. No regularly scheduled services will be supplanted by a funeral.

b. Funerals are not held on the Sabbath, from 6pm Friday through 6pm Saturday.​

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3. Memorial services should be limited to a maximum duration of 90 minutes.​

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4. All decorations, photos, videos, music, and other service arrangements should be coordinated through the Administrative Office.

a. Easels for pictures and flowers are permitted in the sanctuary.​

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5. Caskets, urns, or deceased bodies are not allowed in the sanctuary.

a. These items should be placed in the foyer area prior to the service.

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6. An administrative office staff member will be present on church grounds for all memorial services. 

a. Staff will open the facilities to the public one (1) hour before the service starts.​

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7. Please be aware that there may be additional requirements for non-members renting the facility. Any additional guidelines will be clearly outlined in a separate facility use rental agreement. 

 

Order of Service and Programs:

 

​1. Order of Service:​

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a. The standard order of service for memorial services is as follows:

Sample Order of Service

 

Processional

Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  Ministry

Scripture Readings

Music Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  Congregational

Obituary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Read Silently

Reflections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Family & Friends

(Max of 3 named individuals – 2-minute limit)

Music Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Congregational

Eulogy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . GCC Pastor or Minister

Recessional

 

b. Any special changes, or additions to the order of service, must be approved by the Senior Pastor or Executive Pastor.​

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2. Programs:​

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a. Members: GCC will provide standard programs, one hundred (100) copies, for members free of charge.

i. Standard designs are available. (See Attachment “B”)

ii. Additional copies are available at a cost of $.25 per copy​

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b. Non-Members: GCC will provide standard programs, one hundred (100) copies, for non-members for a fee of $60.

i. Additional copies are available at a cost of $.25 per copy.