Funerals

Policy and Guides

It is our desire and privilege to minister to the families of our congregation in their time of need, and this policy is provided to assist our families in planning and providing a Christian funeral. Services are provided for Bonsack Baptist Church members and immediate family of members; services may be provided for other non-members at the discretion of the senior pastor.

Types of Services

Funeral Service: a service where the body is present in either a casket or an urn and concludes at the burial site.

Memorial Service: a service where the body is not present and interment has either preceded the service or will take place later.

Graveside Service: a service takes place at the burial site. 

These services may be either public or private and may be held at the church, the funeral home, or graveside.

Date, Time, and Location of Services

Dates and times for funerals should be arranged in consultation with the pastor, the deceased’s family and the funeral home. Services at the church will be held in either the Sanctuary or Chapel; they may be held Monday – Saturday but will be planned around previously scheduled events such as weddings, conferences, or large churchwide events. The pastor (and/or his administrative assistant) will check availability of the church and appropriate staff and confirm date and time.

Visitations/viewings may also be held at the church immediately prior to the service or they may be held separately at the funeral home.

Who Will Officiate?

The Senior Pastor or other Bonsack Baptist minister will conduct services held at BBC. Any requests for another pastor to officiate or assist in the service must be approved by the Senior Pastor.

Structure of the Funeral Service

A funeral service held at the church is a service of worship, celebrating the deceased’s life and promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ. The pastor will assist the family in developing an order of worship; however, the family has the option to choose scripture readings and song selections that were meaningful to the deceased. The family also has the option of choosing individuals to provide brief remarks; however, these individuals must be designated prior to the service.

  • If programs are desired, the family is responsible for creating and printing; however, the pastor will assist with developing the order of service.

  • Music ministry staff members are available for consultation with the family regarding musical selections and may also provide input regarding appropriate musical choices. They may also be available to provide music for the service; however, other outside instrumentalists or vocalists are permitted but should be cleared with the Senior Pastor or Minister of Music.

  • Video presentation – BBC staff are not able to create funeral video presentations; however, if the family wishes to create or have one made, BBC can show it during the visitation. Presentations should be in the following formats:  PowerPoint, MP4, jpeg files for individual photos and must be submitted no less than 24 hours prior to visitation.  The pastor’s administrative assistant will provide an email address where the presentation may be submitted, or it may be provided on a USB flash drive.  

    Streaming – BBC will not live stream the service through its website; however, a private link that can be shared with others can be provided to the family if requested.

  • The family may wish to display photographs or mementos of the deceased and family. BBC will provide 2 covered display tables for these items and 2 easels for larger portraits or posters. BBC will also provide 1 or 2 podiums for guest books. Setup and takedown of personal items should be arranged in advance with the pastor’s administrative assistant.

    Note: Any flowers displayed during the visitation and/or service must be removed by the family or funeral home following the service or compassion meal. The only exception is if a previous agreement has been made with BBC to leave a single arrangement in memory of deceased for Sunday morning service.

  • Ushers

    The BBC Usher Ministry is available to serve in the absence of funeral home attendants. Ushers will reserve adequate seating for the family, assist in seating those who attend, and disseminate funeral programs. If a casket is to be present, the funeral home must be involved to handle the transporting and movement of the casket.

  • If adequate team members are available, the BBC Compassion Ministry will offer a meal for the immediate and extended family members. If the family wishes to offer a larger reception to all service attendees, they will be responsible for that and will need to work with the pastor’s administrative assistant to confirm space and time availability.

 

Helpful Information When Someone Dies 

What to do when your loved one dies:

  • Contact family members and close friends and your church

  • Notify employer of deceased and your own employer

  • If children are in school, notify the school

  • Choose a funeral home

Before going to the funeral home, gather the following information:

  • Full name of deceased (include nicknames and other names person may have used)

  • Date of birth

  • Place of birth

  • Father’s name

  • Mother’s name (maiden)

  • List of relatives and relationship to the deceased

  • List of church, professional organizations, clubs or other organizations in which the deceased held membership

  • If desired, indicate memorial to be designated in the obituary in memory of the deceased

  • If desire to use pall bearers, compile a list of individuals who might be available

  • If a memorial or funeral service is announced in the newspaper or online, take extra precaution for security at the home of the deceased during the indicated time of the service

The following information will be needed for the funeral and for planning the service:

  • Name of deceased

  • Family contact and relationship to deceased

    • Address

    • Phone number

    • Email address

    • Other contact name and phone number, if applicable

  • Number of immediate family members

  • Visitation location and times

  • Service location and time

  • Floral requests

  • Cemetery to be used, if applicable

If you have additional questions, please contact Jill Winston at jwinston@bonsackbaptist.org.