THE HOPE THAT YOU HAVE WITHIN YOU
My wishes in preparing for my funeral or memorial service.
Name: _______________________________ Date prepared: ___ / ___ / _____
Be ready at any time to give a quiet and reverent answer to anyone who wants
a reason for the hope that you have within you.
1st Peter 3:15 J.B. Phillips New Testament in Modern English
This worksheet is a place for you to share with your church and family thoughts and ideas about your funeral service. The things you write here will be received as a wonderful gift by your family and those who will make arrangements for your memorial service. When you complete this form, leave it with your other important papers. Also, please make a copy and give it to the pastor and it will be placed in your file until it is needed.
Before thinking about the funeral or memorial service, you may want to consider some of these topics. Resources marked with an asterisk* are available on the Faith Lutheran webpage: www.faithlutheransaginaw.net. Click on the FAITH IN ACTION tab and then LIFE-LONG LEARNING.
· The ELCA document End of Life Decisions.*
· Have you prepared your will or trust?
· You can find many resources at www.michiganlegalhelp.org*
· Do you have a Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare?*
· Should you consider asking your doctor about MI-POST - Michigan Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment.*
· Is there someone to be notified by insurance companies, etc. in the event premiums are not being paid – to prevent policy lapses?
· Have you chosen a mortuary? Are the services prepaid?
· Have you chosen a cemetery? Are the services prepaid?
· Does someone know how to access your bank information, life insurance policies, etc. And does someone know the passwords on your devices?
· Is there a list of people to call at the time of death? Make sure the church is on this list.
· Do you have you a plan for what to do with your stuff?
· Be aware that safe deposit boxes are sealed at the time of death.
Some of the questions the family may be asked in preparing for the service:
· Person’s full name.
· Date and place of birth.
· Date and place of death.
· Were they baptized? In what church?
· Were they confirmed? In what church?
· Were they married and if so, the date.
· Were they a veteran? If so, what branch of service.
1. What thought would you like people to have clearly in mind as they leave your memorial service?
2a. What are some favorite or meaningful scripture passages or Bible stories or themes:
2b. Did you have a Confirmation verse?
2c. If you had to pick only one verse to be read at your service, which one would it be, and why?
3a. What are some of your favorite hymns?
3b. If only one hymn or song was sung at your service, which one would it be and why?
4. What do you want to make sure is included in your obituary?
5. What are some of the highlights from your “God Story,” that is, the ways you’ve seen God at work in your life and in the lives of those around you and in the world around you. This can include memories and stories connected to your baptism, your confirmation, your life in the church and in the world.
6. What would you like to have written on your grave marker?
7. Do you want to be buried or cremated?
8. Where would you like to be buried or have your ashes placed?
9. Do you desire that Holy Communion be celebrated at your funeral?
10. Do you understand the use of the Pall as a symbol of your baptism?
11. Are there people you would like to serve as pall bearers?
12. Are there people you want to have a part in the service? Acolytes, Communion Assistants, Readers, etc.
13. Other requests or notes.
Bible Passages for Funeral or Memorial Services – Some Ideas
OLD TESTAMENT
1. Job 19:23-27 I know that my redeemer lives
2. Psalm 16:5-11 The Lord is my chosen portion
3. Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd
4. Psalm 27:1, 4-9a, 13-14 The Lord is my light and my salvation
5. Psalm 39:4-5, 12 Lord, let me know my end
6. Psalm 42:1-6a As a hart longs for flowing streams
7. Psalm 43 Give judgment for me, O God
8. Psalm 46:1-5, 10-11 A very present help in trouble
9. Psalm 90:1-10, 12 Teach us to number our days
10. Psalm 91 The one who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
11. Psalm 103 Bless, the Lord, O my soul
12. Psalm 106:1-5 O give thanks to the Lord
13. Psalm 116:1-9, 15 My delight is in the Lord
14. Psalm 118 Open the gates of righteousness
15. Psalm 121 I lift up my eyes to the hills
16. Psalm 130 Out of the depths I cry to the Lord
17. Psalm 139:1-12 Whither shall I go from thy Spirit?
18. Psalm 145 I will exalt you, O God my King
19. Psalm 146 Hallelujah! praise the Lord, O my soul
20. Isaiah 25:6-9 God will swallow up death forever
21. Isaiah 26:1-4, 19 God will keep them in perfect peace
22. Isaiah 40:1-11, 28-31 Comfort my people
23. Isaiah 40:28-31 Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength
24. Isaiah 43:1-3a, 18-19, 25 When you pass through the waters
25. Isaiah 44:6-8 I am the first and the last
26. Isaiah 55:1-3, 6-13 Ho, everyone who thirsts
27. Isaiah 61:1-4, 10-11 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me
28. Isaiah 65:17-25 I create new heavens and a new earth
29. Lamentations 3:19-26, 31-36 My affliction and roaming
30. Daniel 12:1-3 Many of those who sleep in the dust shall awake
31. Joel 2:12-13, 23-24, 26-29 Turn to me with all your hear.
At the loss of a child:
32. Zech. 8:1-8 Children playing in the streets of the city
33. Isaiah 65:17-25 I create new heavens and a new earth
For those whose faith is unknown:
34. Eccl. 3:1-15 For everything there is a season
35. Lam. 3:1-9, 19-26 The Lord's steadfast love
NEW TESTAMENT
36. Matthew 5:1-12a The Beatitudes
37. Matthew 11:25-30 Hidden from the wise, revealed to babes
38. Matthew 25:1-13 Wise and foolish virgins
39. Matthew 25:31-46 The Last Judgment
40. Luke 7:11-17 Jesus raises the son of the widow of Nain
41. Luke 18:15-17 We enter the kingdom only as children
42. Luke 23:33, 39-43 Today you will be with me in Paradise
43. John 3:16-21 God so loved the world
44. John 5:24-29 Whoever hears and believes has eternal life
45. John 6:37-40 Whoever comes to me I will by no means cast out
46. John 6:47-58 Whoever believes in me has eternal life
47. John 11:17-27 I am the resurrection and the life
48. John 11:38-44 Lazarus raised from the dead
49. John 14:1-6, 25-27 Let not your hearts be troubled
50. Romans 5:1-11 Hope does not disappoint
51. Romans 6:3-9 Baptized into Christ's death, raised to live with him
52. Romans 8:14-23, 31-39 Nothing can separate us
53. Romans 14:7-9, 10b-12 Whether we live or die, we are the Lord's
54. 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, 12-20a Christ raised from the dead
55. 1 Corinthians 15:20-24 In Christ shall all be made alive
56. 1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 35-38, 42-44, 50, 53-58 Death is swallowed in victory
57. 1 Corinthians 15:35-44 The natural body and the spiritual body
58. 1 Corinthians 15:50-57 We shall all be changed
59. 2 Corinthians 4:16--5:1 Visible things are transitory, invisible things permanent
60. 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 From God we have a house not made with hands
61. Ephesians 1:11--2:1, 4-10 Saved by grace through faith
62. Philippians 3:7-11 Knowing him and the power of his resurrection
63. Philippians 3:20-21 Our citizenship is in heaven
64. Colossians 3:1-17 Set your mind on the things above
65. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 The comfort of Christ's coming
66. 2 Timothy 2:8-13 If we died with him, we shall also live with him
67. 2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
68. Hebrews 2:14-18 Christ was tempted in every way
69. Hebrews 11:1-3, 13-16; 12:1-2 Faith, the pilgrimage, the cloud of witnesses
70. 1 Peter 1:3-12 Without seeing Christ you love him
71. 1 Peter 3:18-22; 4:6 Christ's ministry to the spirits in prison
72. 1 John 3:1-3, We are children of God
73. Revelation 7:2-3, 9-17 These are they who have come out of the great tribulation
74. Revelation 14:1-3, 6-7, 12-13 Rest for the saints
75. Revelation 21:1-4, 22-25; 22:3-5 A new heaven and a new earth
76. Revelation 22:1-5 The Lord God will be their light
At the loss of a child:
77. Matthew 18:1-5, 10 The greatest in the kingdom of heaven
78. Mark 10:13-16 Let the children come to me
For those whose faith is unknown:
79. Matthew 25:31-46 As you did it to one of the least of these
80. Romans 2:12-16 The law written on the heart
81. Romans 14:7-9, 10c-12 None of us live to ourselves
Hymns for Funeral & Memorial Services – Some Ideas
A Multitude Comes
Alleluia! Jesus Is Risen!
Amazing Grace
Arise, My Soul, Arise!
Blessed Assurance
Blessed Spring
Children of the Heavenly Father
Christ The Same
Come Away To The Skies
Come, We That Love The Lord
Even As We Live Each Day
For All The Saints
God Loved The World
God, Our Help In Ages Past
God, Whose Will Is Life And Good
Guide Me Ever, Great Redeemer
He Leadeth Me: Oh, Blessed Thought!
How Great Thou Art
I Am The Bread Of Life
I Know Of A Sleep In Jesus' Name
I Want To Walk As A Child Of The Light
In Heaven Above
In The Morning When I Rise
Jerusalem, My Happy Home
Jerusalem, Whose Towers
Jesus Christ, My Sure Defense
Jesus Lives! The Victory's Won!
Jesus, Remember Me
Kyrie, God Father
Let Me Be Yours Forever
O Morning Star, How Fair And Bright!
Lord, Now Let Your Servant
My Faith Looks Up To Thee
O Holy Spirit, Enter In
O Sacred Head, Now Wounded
Oh, Happy Day When We Shall Stand
Oh, What Their Joy
Precious Lord, Take My Hand
Shall We Gather At The River
Sing With All The Saints In Glory
Soon And Very Soon
The God Of Abraham Praise
The King Of Love My Shepherd Is
The Lord’s My Shepherd
Thine The Amen, Thine The Praise
This Joyful Eastertide
Thy Holy Wings
We Are The Lord’s
We Walk By Faith And Not By Sight
What Wondrous Love Is This
Who Is This Host Arrayed In White
You Have Come Down To The Lakeshore
You Who Dwell In The Shelter Of The Lord