Funeral/Memorial Policy and Request

The death of a loved one is a difficult experience. It is our desire to minister to your family.

Christians grieve but do not sorrow as those who have no hope (1 Thessalonians 4: 13).
The Word of God gives us hope at the death of a loved one (Romans 15: 4).

This policy assists families in planning and providing a Christian funeral at Alliance Community Fellowship. We offer the use of our facilities to partners/regular attenders of ACF as well as members of other churches and those who are not affiliated with any church.

The pastor will assist in making arrangements with the family regarding date, time, and content of the funeral service.
Decisions concerning areas outside the scope of this funeral policy shall be decided at the discretion of the pastor. Funeral services will need to be planned around previously scheduled events.

Who Will Officiate?

Pastoral ethics require that a Pastor of ACF conduct all funeral services held at ACF, or another pastor designated by him. Any requests by the family for another pastor or lay person to officiate or assist in the service must be approved by ACF.

Parking / Traffic Assistance

Parking assistance is generally provided by the funeral home. The church does not have any resources to assist in traffic control.

Video Presentation

If a video is to be used during the service, it must be submitted to the church office 24 hours prior to the funeral service for review. All presentations should be in MP4 format and should not exceed ten minutes in length.

Decorations

Families may wish to display the deceased’s remains, certain mementos, or photographs. Please follow these guidelines:
• Any displays or pictures must be appropriate to a worship setting.
• No nails, tacks, staples or screws shall be put in the walls or attached to the pews.
• All decorations must be removed within 1 hour of the conclusion of the service.
• No furniture shall be removed from the church building.
• Only fresh cut flowers and planters may be used in the sanctuary.

Nursery

The church does not provide a nursery for funeral services.

Family Meal/Refreshments

ACF is not presently equipped with a staff to assist with a family meal and/or refreshments. The CARE team ministry at ACF may be contacted for ACF Partners. Please contact the ACF Church Office for more information.

Memorials

If the family requests that a contribution to the church or a charitable organization be made in lieu of flowers:
• The church will not manage, receive or distribute designated funds for an outside institution.
• Undesignated funds will be received by the church.
• Funds designated for an established project at ACF will be received by the church.
• The establishment of a new project or ministry must be approved by the Pastors/Elders of ACF.

Fees

No fees will be charged for the use of ACF facilities if the deceased or a member of his/her immediate family (spouse, parents, children, and siblings) is a partner or regular attender of ACF.

For all other individuals, fees for facility usage are payable (by cash or check made payable to “Alliance Community Fellowship”) on or before the day of the funeral.

The fee for the A/V Tech is paid to ACF by both partners/regular attenders and non-partners/regular attenders.

• Worship Center Bldg 1 $300 (Fees waived for ACF Partners)
• Activity Center Bldg 3 $150 (Fees waived for ACF Partners)
• A/V Tech $100 (paid to ACF)

Honorariums

Honorariums for the pastor and musicians are paid directly to the individual or through the funeral director. Checks should be made payable to the individual.
• Pastor Honorarium (suggested $200)
• Musician Honorarium (suggested $75 per song)