SMOKE RISE FUNERAL GUIDELINES
When I walk through the valley of the shadow of death you are with me.
Psalm 23:4
Helping You Prepare
Smoke Rise Baptist Church will support you in your time of sorrow and assist with planning a meaningful funeral. When you make arrangements with a funeral home or crematorium, you should coordinate dates and times for services with the church office.
Service Details
A memorial service is a time of worship and remembrance that celebrates the life of a loved one through prayers of thanksgiving, songs of praise to God, the reading of scripture, and the sharing of eulogy.
Worship Space
The memorial service may be held in either the Sanctuary or the Chapel. The Sanctuary is a large worship space at Smoke Rise, and the Chapel offers a more intimate setting, accommodating 200 or less.
Worship Format and Music
Smoke Rise follows a traditional worship format. Ministers leading in the service wear robes and stoles. Music used in the service is traditional, consisting of hymns or other sacred songs. The service does not require, but may include, vocal solos of sacred songs. Before meeting with the minister, please consider favorite hymns or sacred songs of your loved one or family.
Visitation
You and your family may receive guests for a time of visitation in the hour before the start of the memorial service. Guests are received near the front altar in the worship space.
Organist/Accompanist
All hymns and musical offerings must be accompanied by the Smoke Rise organist/accompanist for a fee of $200.00.
Sound Operator and Custodial Service
There is a sound operator fee of $75.00 and a custodial fee of $50.00. Please pay all fees in the church office.
Livestream and Recording
If you choose to livestream the service, there is an additional fee of $150.00. Included in the livestream package is a custom website link, access to the recorded service on the livestream webpage (digital download available), and CDs and DVDs available upon request.
Electronic Media Policy
Prerecorded music, video presentations, and other electronic media are not used in a memorial service. You may present electronic slide shows on a computer or other small device in the Narthex just outside the Sanctuary. A flashdrive with the presentation or access to the online presentation (i.e. dropbox, one drive, or google drive) must be provided 24 hours before the service to allow time for set-up.
Photos and Mementos
Smoke Rise accommodates appropriate memorial pictures or small mementos (10 to 15). The altar in either worship space can display no more than one photo or memento.
Flowers
Flowers are welcome in the sanctuary and narthex for the service. We recommend one to two arrangements in sanctuary, and all additional flowers are best displayed in the narthex. Though all flower vendors are welcome, the following vendors regularly work with Smoke Rise and therefore, know our space to provide high quality arrangements.
Legacy Floral & Gifts
1173 Lawrenceville Highway Lawrenceville, GA 30046
770.491.6049
Message and Eulogy
The presiding minister will bring a message at the service, which includes words of reflection on the gift of your loved one’s life. Consider bringing a few close family members with you to meet with the minister. You will discuss fond memories of your loved one when you meet with the minister to prepare for the service.
If desired, family members or friends may also be chosen to share brief words about your loved one. All persons who will speak at the service should be identified in advance.
Memorial Gifts
Please let the Administrative Assistant know if memorial gifts should be given to Smoke Rise Baptist Church or some other charity. For SRBC members, this information is published in the church-wide funeral announcement.
Military Honors or Other Rituals
Presentation of military honors or other rituals may be included at the interment service. The family is responsible for making any such arrangements and should let the minister know ahead of time.
The Graveside/Interment Service
The graveside, or interment/ committal, is brief service that includes prayers, scripture readings, and words of assurance, committing your loved one to God’s grace and eternal care.
Reception
Receptions that include food and beverages are arranged by the family and are at the expense of the family.*** If the family would like to book a reception space at the church, please check with our church administrative assistant for more information.