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Funerals
(or what we call Burial Mass)

The death of a member of the Church should be reported as soon as possible to the priest of the congregation. If death is imminent, it is always appropriate to call the priest and have him or her present at the death so that Last Rites may be performed. 

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St. Mark’s has held, and will continue to hold, services for non-members where for various reasons the family of the deceased wishes the person to have an Episcopal service. Those arrangements should be made with the Rector of the Parish.

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To inquire about dates, please call the church office. Funerals should be scheduled at least with a week’s notice – there is a lot of planning that goes into a funeral and it cannot be accomplished in only a few days.

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Burial Mass (Commonly Known as a Funeral)

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Funerals take place in the church or in the garden (130 people can be accommodated). Funerals may be scheduled between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays. Saturdays are the typical day for funerals, given the work week and out of town family and friends.  Sunday funerals may be scheduled only with permission from the Rector. Funerals are not scheduled the week before and after Easter, on Easter, the week before Christmas, on Christmas Day, or on national holidays. 

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All Burial Mass/Memorial Service/Funeral arrangements should be made in consultation with the priest. The conduct of the service is the responsibility of the Rector of the parish. If the family of the deceased desires the participation of a minister who is not a priest at St. Mark’s, they should first contact the Rector of St. Mark’s and discuss that matter with him or her fully.

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Baptized Christians are properly buried from the church rather than a Funeral Home. Because the funeral service is an act of worship, it is appropriately set in a church where the accouterments of the church are easily accessed and an altar is present. All funeral plans should be discussed with the priest thoroughly before planning the service at the Funeral Home.

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The guiding rule for planning a Burial Mass is that it is first and foremost a worship service praising God and giving thanks for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

 

The coffin is to be closed before the service, and it remains closed thereafter. It is appropriate that it be covered with a pall or other suitable covering. A covering is also provided for the urn or container for cremated ashes.

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The Burial Mass takes approximately an hour, depending upon the number of people receiving communion. A sermon is preached at all funerals at St. Mark’s.

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The Committal (interment or the burial) generally takes place immediately following the Mass itself. However, this can be arranged with the Rector.  Cremated remains may be committed in St. Mark's Garden of Blessings. Please see the Rector for further information.

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Fees

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The minimum suggested honorarium for the organist is $150.00.  

The minimum suggested honorarium for the priest is $200.00

You can easily pay your funeral fees online via Tithley.

 

Eulogies

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Eulogies are not done during the Burial Mass.  St. Mark’s understands that sometimes family members and friends would like to say something about their loved one.  However, in the Episcopal Church, eulogies are not done during the service.  It is recommended that if the family wants to have a eulogy or eulogies, that time for the eulogy be done during the visitation or during the reception following the Burial Service.  The priest will insist that the eulogy be respectful and dignified.

 

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Officiating Priest and Ceremony

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All funerals at St. Mark’s will conform to the rules of The Book of Common Prayer. A priest officiates at the ceremony. Other Episcopal clergy are welcome to officiate, with the permission of the Rector. 

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Please see the Funeral packet developed by St. Mark’s. In the packet are the required texts, the optional hymns, and what the funeral generally looks like.  Please ask the Parish Administrator or the priest for the funeral packet.  It is required that the packet be filled out prior to the funeral.

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The service is referred to as a Burial Mass or Mass of Christian Burial because the normative service includes the celebration of Holy Eucharist. A burial service without Holy Eucharist is incomplete both theologically and liturgically. A funeral without Holy Eucharist is very rare and uncommon.  If you have concerns about those of other denominations or faith traditions who may attend the service, please do discuss your concerns with the Priest.

 

Visitation

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The family may wish to have a visitation prior to the Burial Mass (Funeral).  The family can opt to receive visitors in the Nave (main part of the church) or in Fellowship Hall.  Please discuss this with the Rector.

 

Burial (Funeral) Mass Bulletin

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The Church will prepare a bulletin for the Burial Mass, similar in content and design to the regular Sunday worship service bulletin. The family of the deceased is responsible for providing information requested in the Funeral Packet, such as full name of the deceased, birth and death dates, and any other information requested by the Rector or staff. No obituary information will appear in the bulletin.

 

Music

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The church Music Director/Organist will play for the Burial Mass unless other arrangements are made with the Rector and Music Director. The Rector is the final authority in the administration of matters pertaining to music. Secular music may be used only with permission of the Rector.  It is important that songs and lyrics are appropriate for a funeral.  (However, contemporary secular music may of course be played at any reception following the Burial Mass.) The Music Director or the Rector will advise you as to the music suitable to a Burial Mass and the appropriate places in the service for music.

 

 

Altar Flowers

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The sanctuary is the portion of the church served by the clergy and the acolytes, with the altar as the focal point. The Altar Guild is responsible for the care of this area. St. Mark’s Episcopal Church is a beautiful setting and flower arrangements should be simple. Spectacular displays distract from the importance of worship and are not permitted. A maximum of seven floral arrangements are permitted at a Burial Mass; two on either side of the tabernacle; one arrangement on either side of the altar (the flowers should not be higher than the altar and must provide space for movement of the priests and altar party), one in front of the free-standing altar, and one in front of the pulpit and one in front of the lectern. Only live floral arrangements are permitted and no messages should be attached. If the florist delivers arrangements with ribbons or cards, those items will be removed and saved for the family. There are size restrictions for arrangements due to space in front of the altar and on either side of the cross at the high altar. The church office staff or Rector can advise your florist if necessary.

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Floral arrangements for a burial mass are customarily left for the Sunday service. If the service falls during Lent when no flowers are used on Sundays or during Advent when greens are used, the family may wish to take the flowers home after the service.

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All other floral arrangements will be put in the Fellowship Hall if a reception is to follow the Burial Mass. Otherwise, any additional arrangements or plants will be put aside until after the Burial Mass. The family needs to make arrangements to take home any plants and flowers that will not be used in the church on the following Sunday. The church is not responsible for transportation of the flowers.

 

Reception

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Fellowship Hall is available for a post-Burial Mass reception. St. Mark’s Bereavement Ministry Committee can arrange for a coffee/tea/cookies reception. You may request this Ministry by asking the Rector. The chairperson of the Bereavement Ministry Committee will then contact you directly.

The family may also opt to use a caterer. It is expected that caterers will furnish all linens and serving pieces. Caterers are responsible for removing their materials immediately following the reception. he kitchen should be left in the condition in which it was found.

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Serving alcohol at a Burial Mass reception is not appropriate because of the time of day of the Burial Mass. Families and friends need to understand that while there is a desire to celebrate the life of the deceased, those driving should not be tempted to imbibe.

St. Mark's Episcopal Church

415 S. Main Street

Waupaca, WI 54981

Parking​

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Parking is available behind the church and on the side streets.

Email: stmarks415@gmail.com

Phone: 715-258-5125

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St. Mark's is a parish within the Episcopal Diocese of Wisconsin, the Episcopal Church of the United States of America, and the worldwide Anglican Communion. "Episcopal" refers to the fact that we are governed by bishops and "Anglican" means we trace our roots to and are in communion with the historic Church of England and the Archbishop of Canterbury.
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