service of remembrance

FUNERALS & MEMORIAL SERVICES

Schedule a Service
To schedule, please contact the Church office at 757.229.1771. Service arrangements typically take two to four days.

service information

We extend our heartfelt sympathy to you and your family during this difficult time. As you navigate the complex emotions that come with the loss of a loved one, know that you are not alone—God understands your sorrow and grief. 

The death of someone you love ushers in a cascade of complex emotions, and planning a funeral or memorial service to honor, remember, and celebrate loved ones can feel overwhelming. Our pastors, staff, musicians, and volunteers are available to perform the service as you request, and we offer complimentary programs with an order of service, personal message, and Scripture.

suggested scripture

Fees

  • Ceremony & reception space: No charge
  • Pastoral honorarium: $300
  • Organist: $125
  • Musicians & soloists: $100 - $150 per musician
  • Sound Technician: Sanctuary and Fellowship Hall $50 each
  • Custodian: $175 | $275 with reception

Service Order

  • Prelude music
  • Greeting
  • Hymn or Song 
  • Opening Prayer
  • Words of Remembrance
  • Scripture readings
  • Words of Faith
  • Hymn
  • Prayer of Thanksgiving
  • The Lords Prayer
  • Hymn
  • Dismissal with Blessing
  • Postlude music

How We Can Help

Consultation with Funeral Homes: We can assist you in liaising with local funeral homes to make the final arrangements that best honor your loved one.

Service Hosting: Our church is available as a venue for the funeral or memorial service, providing a sacred space for you to honor and remember your loved one.

Pastoral and Worship Team Support: We can help you secure a pastor and worship team to lead a meaningful and comforting service.

Grief Aftercare: The journey through grief doesn't end with the funeral. We offer a range of resources for ongoing support, including grief care groups, classes, books, and mentoring.

Memorial Garden

The Memorial Garden at Williamsburg United Methodist Church serves as a hallowed ground for the interment and inurnment of cremains. This serene space is open to church members, their immediate families, as well as clergy and staff who are currently employed or retired from WUMC and their immediate families. Immediate family is defined as parents, siblings, children and their spouses.  Cremains of others may be accepted if approved by the Memorial Garden Committee. 

A Place of Peace and Tranquility

The Memorial Garden is not just a final resting place; it's a sanctuary for the living as well. Designed with the utmost care, the Garden offers a tranquil setting for meditation, prayer, and reflection. Whether you are visiting to pay respects or seeking a quiet moment of solace, the Garden provides a peaceful backdrop for contemplation.

Perpetual Care

We understand the importance of maintaining a dignified and respectful environment. Rest assured, the cremains interred in our Memorial Garden are perpetually cared for, ensuring that this sacred space remains a fitting tribute to your loved ones.

learn more here

MEMORIAL GIFTS

You may wish to honor your loved one’s legacy by directing memorial gifts to Williamsburg UMC. Memorial gifts support the mission and vision of WUMC to become a church that humbly and boldly looks more like Jesus and multiplies his hope and heartbeat.  

Gifts can be made online, via check, or other giving instruments. We would be happy to talk with you about memorial gifts and answer any questions you might have. Contact Nethea Calloway to walk you through the memorial process. 

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GRIEF RESOURCES

Resources are available to support and care for you as you mourn the loss of a loved one.
Please contact Rev. Meghan Roth-Clayton, Minister of Congregational Care, for specific resources.
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