Funeral Resources

As you are planning the worship service that will celebrate the life of your loved one, here are some things/ideas to think about:

What are milestones in the life of the deceased?

• Life milestones (accomplishments, relationships)

• Career milestones

• Health

• Hobbies/Pets/Interests

How would you describe his/her faith?

What are his/her favorite scriptures?

What are his/her favorite books? movies? TV shows?

What are his/her favorite hymns? songs?

How would he/she want to be remembered?

What word or phrase epitomizes his/her life?

What major lessons did he/she teach you?

Scripture Readings

• Job  19:25-26
• Job 19:25-27
• Proverbs 31:10-31
• Psalm 23:1-6
• Psalm 34:18-19
• Psalm  46:1-2
• Psalm 68:19
• Psalm 90:1-12
• Psalm 91:1-9
• Psalm 103:1-5,8,10-13
• Psalm 121
• Psalm 139:1-12
• Psalm 147:3-5
• Ecclesiastes 3:1-11a
• Isaiah 40:28,29,31
• Isaiah 41:10
• Isaiah 43:1-3
• Isaiah 51:12
• Isaiah 54:8,10
• Nahum 1:7
• John 11:17-27;
• John 11:25
• John 12:24-26
• John 14:1-3
• John 14:1-6
• John  14:27
• John  16:33
• Romans 8:31-35, 37-39
• Romans  8:34-35,37-39
• 1 Corinthians 15:51-55,57
• 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
• 2 Corinthians 5:1,6,8
• 2 Corinthians 5:1-10
• 2 Corinthians  12:9
• Ephesians 3:14-21
• Philippians 1:21,23
• Philippians 2:12-16
• Philippians 3:20-21
• 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
• 2 Timothy 1:12
• 2 Timothy 4:6-8
• 2 Timothy 4:6-12
• Hebrews 12:1-3
• Hebrews 13:5
• 1 Peter 4:13
• Revelation 21:1-4

Some of the Hymns that Could be sung during the Celebration Of Life/Funeral Services (All hymns on this list were used at one time or another at different families request)

• UMH 461 – Prayer for Those Who Mourn (Prayer)
• UMH 270/UMH 271 –  The Lord’s Prayer (Done as Special Music)
• UMH 77  –  How Great Thou Art
• UMH 117 – O God, Our Help in Ages Past
• UMH 129  –  Give to the Winds Thy Fears
• UMH 130  –  God Will Take Care of You
• UMH 133  –  Leaning on the Everlasting Arms
• UMH 136 – The Lord’s my Shepherd (done as a Special Music)
• UMH 140  – Great is Thy Faithfulness
• UMH 261  –  Lord of the Dance
• UMH 314  – I Come to the Garden Alone
• UMH 377 – It Is Well With My Soul
• UMH 378 – Amazing Grace
• UMH 400  –  Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
• UMH 451  –  Be Thou My Vision
• UMH 474  –  Precious Lord, Take My Hand
• UMH 496  –  Sweet Hour of Prayer
• UMH 504  –  The Old Rugged Cross
• UMH 505 – When Our Confidence is Shaken
• UMH 545  –  The Church’s One Foundation
• UMH 702  – Sing With All the Saints in Glory
• UMH 710 – Faith of Our Fathers
• UMH 711 – For All the Saints
•  
• “Life is Like a Mountain Railroad”
• “Heaven, Eternal” / “In childhood I’ve heard of Heaven”

(UMH – United Methodist Hymnal’89)

Graveside

This day we commit his/her body to the ground, “looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body . . . (Titus 2:13, Philippians 3:21)

The Lord bless you and keep you: the Lord make his face shine upon you: and be gracious to you: the Lord lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace. (Numbers 6:24-26) Amen.