Memorial Service

A memorial service is held to remember and honour the life of a loved one and to give thanks to God for all the blessings of the person’s life.  It is usually held after a funeral or on a specific occasion such as the anniversary of an event that resulted in the person’s death.

Like a funeral service, a memorial service requires careful thought and detailed planning and it is our aim to assist in every way we can.

The church seats 350 people; the Angel Chapel seats 25 people.

Please contact the Parish Manager to make arrangements for this service.

1. THE ORDER OF SERVICE

The order of service is arranged in consultation with the Rector, Father Robert Happer.  St John’s clergy are able to produce a template of the order of service in MS Word format containing the text of the readings and hymns as selected in consultation with those planning the funeral, together with the prayers said by all, and to supply this by e-mail to a printer for printing.

2. BEFORE THE SERVICE

Many families like to gather in the Angel Chapel prior to the service, and to be escorted into the church and to their reserved seats just prior to the commencement of the service.

3. THE SERVICE

The notes below proceed in the usual order of each element of the funeral service, as determined by A Prayer Book for Australia 1995. References are made throughout to further resources available on this website to assist those preparing the service. All funerals and memorial services at St. John’s normally follow the format described below, although there is considerable flexibility and the clergy are always willing to incorporate any special wishes of the deceased, and of those arranging the service.

4. RSL RITES

Where the deceased served in the armed forces, the RSL rites may be included at an appropriate point in the service.  Usually, a member of the RSL will lead this part of the service immediately prior to the committal.  The church has no objection to national flags adorning the coffin and considers this entirely appropriate for a person who served their country in the armed forces.

5. FEES

Organist         $250.00
Church            $300.00
(Clergy only)   $400.00 (no GST for Clergy fees)
Total              $950.00

Please note for internment only at the niche site a fee of $50.00 only is payable