planning a service for your loved one

when a loved one is ill

If there is a serious illness in the family, please contact us. Our Minister is available to visit and pray with your family and your loved one at home, hospital or hospice.

grief support

Grieving the loss of a loved one is a long and complex process. There are resources in the church and in the community to support you in that journey. In the weeks and months after the death, the Minister and the Congregational Care Team are available for you to call on. Please do not hesitate to reach out for grief support.

about the service

Whether you call it a funeral, memorial, or celebration of life, the service is ultimately about making space to mourn and celebrate. It’s about mourning the loss of a loved one and being able to name and express our grief and love; and it’s about celebrating their life and being able to give thanks for all they brought into our lives and the world.

There is no right or wrong way to hold a service. Our job is to help you create a service that is emotionally and spiritually meaningful, and that will allow you to both mourn and celebrate.

planning the service

The church that has been the regular place of worship for a family is usually considered the best place to hold this service. For some families, the Funeral Home Chapel is better suited to their needs. While a variety of factors will come into play, we recommend holding a memorial service in the early days or weeks of the death. We will work with you to develop a date that works best.

Services at Red Deer Lake United Church are led by our Minister. The service will include some words of tribute given by friends or family members, favorite passages of scripture, a homily, as well as meaningful music. We will also work with you to tailor the service to your vision and requests.

In addition to the Words of Tribute, families may also choose to prepare a video or slide show as a part of the service.

Our goal is for you to come the day of the service and not worry about anything. 

We are here to help you plan and this may be of assistance to you a guide for planning

the funeral home

Funeral homes can provide much-needed comfort and assistance when a loved one dies. Their staff can walk you through some of the important decisions you will need to make. We suggest contacting the funeral home of your choice. We are happy to help you navigate through the many options available as you identify your needs.

the reception

If you want to hold the service at the church and have a reception afterwards, we can discuss this at one of the meetings we will have with you as we plan the service.

flowers and memorial gifts

Floral tributes are often a fitting way to honor a life that has passed and to express care for the family. After a service, families will often take flowers to the hospital, hospice or nursing home which provided care for their loved one. Flowers left in the church will adorn the sanctuary for our Sunday Service.

There is also the option of a memorial gift which furthers the work of this church in the name of your loved one.

interment

The minister is available to preside at an interment service at the cemetery for the burial of a casket, urn or ashes. Most often this occurs on the same day or next day of the funeral or memorial service.

the cost

Contact the church office at 403-256-3181 or office@reddeerlakeuc.com to discuss the fees specific to your funeral or memorial service. Fees may be paid online or by cheque made payable to Red Deer Lake United Church. Prices are subject to change.

funeral/memorial enquiry

Please complete the form below if you would like to make arrangements for a funeral or memorial service at Red Deer Lake United Church.