“Our assurance as Christians is that nothing, not even death, shall separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.”
After someone has died
If a loved one has died contact the church office so that one of our clergy can provide pastoral care and aid in making arrangements for a the funeral.
Near the Time of Death
When someone is approaching the time of death, the clergy should be called so that a priest may be present to minister both to the dying person and to the family. This ministry can include pastoral care, reflection, prayers, and sacraments as appropriate.
Planning the funeral
Funerals are scheduled and planned in consultation with the Calvary clergy. Do not announce a time and date for a funeral before coordinating with a member of the clergy. One of the clergy will meet with you in order to plan a service that honors the individual who has died and the grief of loved ones while proclaiming the Resurrection. It can be helpful, but is in no way required, to read the documents below as well as the liturgies Burial of the Dead: Rite I and Burial of the Dead: Rite II, (Book of Common Prayer pages 469 and 491) in preparation for planning the funeral with a member of the clergy.
Funeral Planning Worksheet
Suggestions for Music at Funerals
An Overview of Funerals at Calvary
Columbarium
Calvary has a columbarium with niches available for purchase. Contact the church office, (412)-661-0120, for more information.
Advanced Preparation
Decisions about care at the end of life and about funeral services can be considered and addressed at any time. We encourage our members to carefully make these decisions in advance so that their loved ones are able to carry out their wishes following their death. These decisions include a review of one's finances, estate planning, preparing a will in consultation with an attorney, arranging for the care of children or other dependents, and planning one's own funeral in consultation with a member of the clergy. If you would like to do this, contact the church office to set up an appointment with one of the clergy.
“The liturgy for the dead is an Easter liturgy. It finds all meaning in the
resurrection. Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we too, shall be
raised.
The liturgy, therefore, is characterized by joy, in the certainty that
”neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present,
nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else
in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ
Jesus our Lord.”
This joy, however, does not make human grief unchristian. The very love
we have for each other in Christ brings deep sorrow when we are parted
by death. Jesus himself wept at the grave of his friend. So, while we
rejoice that one we love has entered into the nearer presence of our Lord,
we sorrow in sympathy with those who mourn.”