Bereavment Peace Plan
WORDS OF ENCOURAGMENT FROM
Pastor Morrison Friends, nothing seems to cause more instability than when we lose a loved one. During this time we often feel helpless, saddened and overwhelmed. However, I want you to know that our church wants to stand with you and support you during this difficult time. Death, from a world perspective can be seen as failure or defeat, but we know through Jesus Christ that death cannot defeat a saint of God because “we are more than conquerors through Christ who loves us.” We are conquers in life, yes! But we are more than conquers, for we conquer even in death. When we are in Christ, death is not failure but victory. In fact, death is earth’s last great victory. This is the Christian’s victory and we have faith in it. Understand that our church is here to help you incorporate hope into your process of grief and sorrow. The hope is that you will see your loved one again in the resurrection just as God has promised. Yes, we have sorrow. In fact, sorrow and grief are natural. However, we must temper our sorrow and grieve with faith and be sure of the victory given by a God who will never leave us alone. During this sensitive time please do not hesitate to reach out by calling the church office (203) 624-6245 or by contacting your family’s Life Group Leader. Remember that we are here to help you in prayer, planning, and preparation both before and after the funeral. Also, please know you are part of a loving church here at Varick Memorial.
My Loved One Has Just Passed Regardless of whether or not you or your loved one is a member of Varick, these steps will be helpful in providing you a peace of mind as you work with different moving parts in this process (i.e. medical personnel, funeral home, place of worship staff, people, family and friends). • If your loved one was in the care of hospice at your home, immediately notify the hospice facility of your loved one’s passing. The hospice facility will then officially pronounce that your loved one has transitioned to everlasting life with the father. • If your loved one was not under hospice care but passed on in another setting, please notify your local emergency services by calling 911. • You should contact your loved one’s employer and notify them of your loved
one’s passing. • Gather all pertinent legal information and contact your loved one’s life insurance company. • Please contact a trusted funeral home to notify them of the death of your loved one to start the process of planning the arrangements. The funeral home will need to know where your loved one is currently (i.e. hospital, hospice or home). • Contact your family immediately as well as your church office and church family. You will need the love, support and prayers of each and every one of us during this difficult time.
Meeting with Pastor, Officiating Pastor or Church Staff When meeting with our Varick Team, please bring the following information: • Name and age of deceased • Executor or person(s) planning • Useful Information of deceased (i.e. challenges, obstacles, quotes, likes and dislikes, songs, stories, jokes, fondest memories etc.) • Funeral home name & director • Service location • Cemetery name & address • Burial or cremation
What the Church Provides
Post Funeral
• If your loved one was a member of Varick, the church will provide the family with free use of our church facility space. • If your loved one was not a member of Varick Church, the family will be responsible for the facility fee. • The Deaconess and Ushers will be on post to provide prayer, support, care and organization to the family, friends and guests of the bereaved.
I pray that some of the information provided below will help you after the funeral as well as help to guide you through the legal and business affairs of your loved one:
*Please note that based on financial need, families may be granted a food stipend to be used for the repast. This decision will be made by Pastor Morrison
• Gather a list of names to send thank you cards and to call expressing gratitude. Gather a list of any creditors, bills or debt that was in your loved one’s name. • Contact insurance policy holders (life, health and casualties), loved one’s current employer, former employer regarding pensions and retirement benefits, social security, veterans’ administration, etc. • Contact an attorney or visit your family attorney regarding the will or trust that your loved one may have left behind. • Contact your church for post counseling as well as seek professional bereavement counseling. • Your church Life Coach will be contacting you to check in with you and your family.
Honorarium & Fees *Facility Fee: • Sanctuary • Brockington Hall
$850 $675
Ministerial Staff Musicians Audio & Multimedia
$250 $25/hour $50/hour
*Facility space provided complimentary to members. Members will have to cover the cost of staff and personnel unless waived by Pastor.
Please make all checks payable to Varick Memorial AME Zion Church
Funeral Service Format & Program Suggestions
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any families no longer wish to call the service of a deceased loved one a “Funeral,” some instead have chosen, “Home Going Service”, “Celebration of Life” or “Service of Triumph.” Any one of these you choose is appropriate. Please see program sample above.
*Special Note To minimize stress on the family, it is suggested not to include too much to the service. It can be overwhelming to sit through several hours of a service. The casket can be open during the wake or quiet hour. Before the service begins, the funeral home will signal to the family for final viewing and will close the casket before the invocation.
Final Words
Beloved, as you and your family grieve the loss of your loved one, know that the Varick Church family is here to serve as a system of support. Members of our church staff are available in the church office Monday-Thursday, 10:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and anytime via email. Please reach out to us for any questions and/or concerns you may have. It is our hope that any assistance we are able to provide will help to make this difficult time a little easier for you and your loved ones. Varick Memorial Church Office Phone: (203) 624-6245 Email: info@varickmemorial.org Reverend Eldren Morrison, Pastor pastormorrison@varickmemorial.org Reverend Namon Bradley, Minister of Congregational & Bereavement Care revbradley@varickmemorial.org Reverend Morton Percy, Minister of Congregational & Bereavement Care revpercy@varickmemorial.org Jesse Phillips, Chief of Staff jphillips@varickmemorial.org Landris Jones, Executive Assistant to Pastor ljones@varickmemorial.org Dr. Belinda Carberry, Leaders of Leaders lifecoachleader@varickmemorial.org *Upon the death of your love one, please call the church office. During this call, please let the staff person know if you or your loved one is a member of Varick so that we may notify your class leader as well.