SMOK E R ISE FU N ER A L GU I DELI N E S
When I walk through the valley of the shadow of death you are with me. Psalm 23:4
Helping You Prepare Smoke Rise Baptist Church will support you in your time of sorrow and assist with planning a meaningful funeral. When you make arrangements with a funeral home or crematorium, you should coordinate dates and times for services with the church office. Service Details A memorial service is a time of worship and remembrance that celebrates the life of a loved one through prayers of thanksgiving, songs of praise to God, the reading of scripture, and the sharing of eulogy. Worship Space The memorial service may be held in either the Sanctuary or the Chapel. The Sanctuary is a large worship space at Smoke Rise, and the Chapel offers a more intimate setting, accommodating 200 or less. Worship Format and Music Smoke Rise follows a traditional worship format. Ministers leading in the service wear robes and stoles. Music used in the service is traditional, consisting of hymns or other sacred songs. The service does not require, but may include, vocal solos of sacred songs. Before meeting with the minister, please consider favorite hymns or sacred songs of your loved one or family. Visitation You and your family may receive guests for a time of visitation in the hour before the start of the memorial service. Guests are received near the front altar in the worship space. Organist/Accompanist All hymns and musical offerings must be accompanied by the Smoke Rise organist/accompanist for a fee of $200.00.
Sound Operator and Custodial Service There is a sound operator fee of $75.00 and a custodial fee of $50.00. Please pay all fees in the church office. Livestream and Recording If you choose to livestream the service, there is an additional fee of $150.00. Included in the livestream package is a custom website link, access to the recorded service on the livestream webpage (digital download available), and CDs and DVDs available upon request. Electronic Media Policy Prerecorded music, video presentations, and other electronic media are not used in a memorial service. You may present electronic slide shows on a computer or other small device in the Narthex just outside the Sanctuary. Please bring with you a flashdrive with the presentation or provide access to the online presentation (i.e. dropbox, one drive, or google drive). Photos and Mementos Smoke Rise accommodates appropriate memorial pictures or small mementos (10 to 15). The altar in either worship space can display no more than one photo or memento. Flowers Flowers are welcome in the sanctuary and narthex for the service. We recommend one to two arrangements in sanctuary, and all additional flowers are best displayed in the narthex. Though all flower vendors are welcome, the following vendors regularly work with Smoke Rise and therefore, know our space to provide high quality arrangement. Legacy Floral & Gifts 1173 Lawrenceville Highway Lawrenceville, GA 30046 770.491.6049 Hall’s Flower Shop & Garden Center 5706 Memorial Drive Stone Mountain, GA 30083 404.292.8446
Message and Eulogy The presiding minister will bring a message at the service, which includes words of reflection on the gift of your loved one’s life. Consider bringing a few close family members with you to meet with the minister. You will discuss fond memories of your loved one when you meet with the minister to prepare for the service. If desired, family members or friends may also be chosen to share brief words about your loved one. All persons who will speak at the service should be identified in advance. Memorial Gifts Please let the Administrative Assistant know if memorial gifts should be given to Smoke Rise Baptist Church or some other charity. For SRBC members, this information is published in the church-wide funeral announcement. Military Honors or Other Rituals Presentation of military honors or other rituals may be included at the interment service. The family is responsible for making any such arrangements and should let the minister know ahead of time. The Graveside/Interment Service The graveside, or interment/ committal, is brief service that includes prayers, scripture readings, and words of assurance, committing your loved one to God’s grace and eternal care. Reception Receptions that include food and beverages are arranged by the family and are at the expense of the family.*** If the family would like to book a reception space at the church, please check with our church administrative assistant for more information.
Funeral Arrangement Checklist 1. _____ Contact the church office and a funeral home or
crematorium of your choice to advise of your loved one’s death.
2. _____ Contact the Smoke Rise Office Administrative Assistant to discuss available dates/times of the sanctuary and other church facilities for a funeral service, to confirm availability of a presiding minister for preferred dates/ times, and book optional livestream. 3. _____ Meet with the funeral director to finalize times/ dates in coordination with the Smoke Rise office. 4. _____ Contact the Smoke Rise Office Administrative Assistant to schedule a personal meeting with the presiding minister to take place 1 to 2 days prior to the scheduled funeral service. 5. _____ After you confirm a funeral schedule with the Smoke Rise office, make a list of favorite scriptures, hymns, sacred songs or other elements you would like to see included in the service, keeping in mind any known wishes or preferences of your loved one. The ministry staff will contact you to discuss preferences. 6. _____ Meet in person with the presiding minister prior to the funeral service. Please consider bringing a few close family members with you to this meeting where you will discuss fond memories of your loved one in preparation for the funeral service. 7. _____ Seek the help of family or close friends as you identify photos or small mementos of your loved one for display at the funeral. 8. _____ Consider asking a family member or trusted friend to assist with administrative matters such as delivery of fee payments, honorariums, etc. You should not hesitate to ask those you love and who love you in return to help you during your time of loss.
The Days Ahead At Smoke Rise Baptist Church, we are committed to walk with you through the funeral service and beyond. In the days ahead we pledge our prayers and personal support for you. It is our honor and privilege to serve you during your time of loss and beyond. May God’s grace abide with you as you mourn and remember your loved one. Fees* and Honorariums** Organist/Accompanist
$200 Fee
Sound System Operator
$75 Fee
Streaming Operators (if applicable)
$150 Fee $50 Fee
Custodial Sanctuary/Chapel Use
Free
Reception Space (if applicable)
Free
Presiding Minister
$300-450** $150-$250**
Music Minister
$100**
Soloist
*Fees are charged for the organist/accompanist, sound operator, optional streaming operators and custodial services. If you have any financial hardship concerns, please let the presiding minister know. **Honorarium ranges are provided as helpful guide for those who desire to provide a gift to those who serve. Honorariums are voluntary and not required. You should not feel obligated and should give only as you desire and have the ability. ***Alcoholic beverages are not permitted on the church campus and are not to be served in the Fellowship Hall.
Smoke Rise Baptist Church 5901 Hugh Howell Road Stone Mountain, Georgia 30087 770.469.5856 www.SmokeRiseBaptist.org