The minister and staff of St. James United are committed to compassionately helping you through your difficult time of loss. We offer spiritual care to the bereaved and help families and friends celebrate the life of a departed loved one by giving thanks for the gift of that life. We believe the participation of family members in the planning process is essential. Our mission is to facilitate a comforting experience during this challenging time and to remind the bereaved of God's promise of life beyond the one we know.
 
Funerals and memorial services are part of our minister's pastoral care to our congregation and an outreach to the wider community. Services are most often conducted in the funeral home of your choice, but other arrangements can be made to book our sanctuary. Our minister or designate must be in attendance as one of the officiating clergy at all funerals and memorial services held in St. James Church facilities. Planning can be done with the minister privately in your home, at our church office or the funeral home of your choice. The format of the service is flexible and might include prayers, scripture readings, hymns and other musical selections, a brief Christian reflection and memorial words by family members or friends. Selection of other appropriate or unique elements for the service that are meaningful to the family is encouraged.
 
Preparation of a bulletin for the service, if required, is supported by the St. James staff team at a minimal cost. Musical accompaniment can be arranged with the minister. Our organist can play for the service and provide musical consultation for appropriate hymns, solos and other selections. Our active UCW group is available with advance notice to support your needs for refreshments and food before or after a funeral or memorial service. Catering costs vary according to the type of luncheon required and the number of expected attendees.
 
Fees for funerals at St. James have been set by the church board as follows: minister $325, organist $100, sanctuary with custodial care included $250, lower hall including kitchen $50, chair lift operator $15 per hour, AV technician $15 per hour. Once your needs are determined, these fees can be paid at the church office or the funeral home handling the arrangements.
 
Please contact our church office for more information or to make arrangements for a funeral or memorial service.