FUNERALS

Thank you for considering Papakura Anglican to help you at this challenging time. We would like to help you remember the life of your loved one. By having your funeral in one of our churches we take that to mean a request for a Christian service in the Anglican tradition, officiated by one of the parish clergy.

ABOUT OUR SERVICE:

The Anglican Church offers a range of options within the funeral liturgy which you will have time to study carefully if you wish and, in consultation with the officiating Minister, develop into an order of service that is appropriate for you and your loved ones.

Here are some details on what to prepare for the funeral:

SERVICE OUTLINE & SHEETS:

It is the responsibility of family to have service sheets printed if they are required. Normally this is done by the funeral director.

A typical service looks something similar to this:

Welcome and introductions
Hymn
Eulogy
Reflection time
Hymn
Bible reading(s)
Prayers
Commendation and committal

You may choose to have the committal at the grave side or crematorium rather than in the church.

MUSIC:

Music is an important part of the service. Many people choose to have a mix of contemporary and older hymns, as well as contemporary music. If contemporary music is to be used, it is easiest if the required songs can be set in a playlist for easy access or ‘burnt’ onto one CD so there is no confusion as to which songs to play. Please write a list/order of the songs, with when they should be played, along with the length of the song beside the name. Clearly mark the songs as follows:

Play before the service;
Carry in/first song music;
Reflection time;
Carry out and after the service.

The above music slots may also be piano or organ based.

PRESENTATIONS:

Most funerals choose to display a selection of photography from the person's life to help celebrate and remember their time with us. We have two high quality data-projectors, one on each side of the church and an Apple laptop for show slide shows if you wish to make use of this. This needs to be arranged ahead of the day. A powerpoint presentation is usually best.

FLOWERS:

The flowers are arranged by parishioners but if you want to share in the decorating of the Church, please contact the Parish Secretary (Ph 299-8086). During the season of Lent (six weeks prior to Easter), there are no flowers provided in the Church, you will need to arrange for your own, and ensure their removal after the service.

For the rest of the year you may:

Use the flowers provided (no cost);
Provide your own flower arrangements.

For funerals held on a Saturday if you do not wish to use the church provided flowers you must leave your flowers that are at the front of the church for Sunday use as there will be no time for our florists to come in after your funeral to prepare the church for Sunday.

You must contact the Office on 299 8086 and inform which option you wish to use. Of course you are welcome to collect them after our Sunday services.

LARGE SERVICES:

Our biggest church is Christ Church, Papakura, it has seating for 180, where more are expected at the service than this, it is necessary to have a video link setup between the church, Welcome Centre and the hall below. This requires the use of professional services and will incur extra costs.

RECORDINGS

We have the ability to do an audio recording of the service if you desire. If there is a video link setup between the church and welcome centre, you may also choose to have a video recorded.

TIMING

Our parish has a large number of bookings for church and hall and timing is often tight. Please check the timing of any funeral service with the clergy and church office before publicising any dates or times.

FOLLOW UP CARE:

The family is offered follow-up pastoral care after the funeral and you may wish to continue to use the pastoral care our parish offers. If you would like a visit from one of our pastoral care team, please contact the church office or the clergy person who officiated at the funeral.

KOHA | DONATION:

We ask for a donation to cover the following:

Church – for the use of the facilities
Officiating minister
Organist (Separate)
Sound desk (if you are using our audio visual set up - Separate)

The amount is at your discretion.

CHURCH SEATING

Christ Church, Papakura can comfortably seat 180, with up to 270 people standing and by video link to our hall.
Selwyn Chapel, Papakura can comfortably seat 35 - 60 people.
St Margaret’s, Karaka can comfortably seat 80 people.

The Next Steps

Please contact our office via the form below.