Funeral Planning Form

Funeral Planning Form

Please review this form and complete it to the best of your ability BEFORE you meet with Mother Katie. If you are uncertain about a detail, please make your best guess for now; we can always change it. When done, save the form with your edits and email it to Katie (kwright@stmattsaustin.org). Please also bring a printed copy to the meeting. Questions? Email Katie or her assistant, Lise (lharding@stmattsaustin.org).
When designing the service, key considerations include:
- Will the language be the modern Burial Rite II (BCP 491) or the Elizabethan era Burial Rite I (BCP 469)?
- Will Holy Communion be offered?
- Which Readings, Psalm, and Hymns were favorites of the deceased or feel appropriate to celebrate their life?
Note: A full service with communion typically includes an Old Testament reading, a Psalm, a New Testament reading, a Gospel reading, and four Hymns (Opening, at Gospel, at Communion, Closing). If there is no communion, fewer readings and hymns may be appropriate.

Helpful Links:
Email of Person Completing the Form*
example@example.com
Full Name of Deceased for Program*
ex. Elizabeth “Lizzy” Jane Smith
Date of Birth*

MonthDayYear
Date
Date of Death*

MonthDayYear
Date
Primary Family Contact Name*
Email, Phone*
Additional Family Contact Name
Email, Phone
Funeral Home involved? If so, name:
Contact Name
Email, Phone
Military Honors? If so, details:
Funeral Home must contact VA soon.
Ashes/Casket/Neither?*
If ashes, who has them?
Interment at St. Matthew's?*
Common Urn or Niche? If niche, location?
Submit final engraving detail to office.
Reception afterward at St. Matthew's?*
$150 fee. Please contact Hospitality Guild soon to discuss, info below.
Standard setup or Custom requests? If Custom, please explain:
Must contact Hospitality Guild soon.
Service Flowers by Flower Guild?*
$100 fee. Otherwise, flowers planned for Sunday service may be present.
Preferred colors and/or types? Other details?
Send “Grief in the Parish” email?*
Desired photo sent to church office?
If Maybe, explain
Invite congregation to service?*
Any restrictions or requests?
If Maybe, explain
Obituary in Program with Photo?*
Content and photo sent to church office?
If Maybe, explain
Service Date*

MonthDayYear
Service Time*
Priest in Charge*
If you selected Other above, Priest Name:
Other Clergy Participating
Estimated # of attendees*
Usually first 1-2 rows near podium. A range is fine; needed for printing.
YouTube live-stream desired?*
$50 fee. May not be possible if AV Operator unavailable for date/time.
If Maybe, explain
Estimated # of family*
Burial Rite I or II?*
If Unsure, explain
With Holy Communion?*
If Maybe, explain
First Reading (from suggested; otherwise, note in field below)*
If Other, explain
Reader Name
Psalm (from suggested; otherwise, note in field below)*
If Other, explain
Reader Name
Second Reading (from suggested; otherwise, note in field below)*
If Other, explain
Reader Name
Gospel Reading (from suggested; otherwise, note in field below)
If Other, explain
Clergy Name
Prayers of the People Reader Name
Family Remembrances?*
Names, Relationships
Typically 1 or 2, about 5 minutes each.
Selections for Hymns/Songs?*
Include: Opening; before Gospel; at Communion (if applicable); at Closing. Organist selects prelude and postlude unless told otherwise.
Fee & Honorarium Guidance:
- Clergy: No fee. If you wish to give an honorarium, customary amounts range from $100 to $500.
- Organist: Fees range from $200 to $300. Once the exact organist is known, the fee will be set.
- Cantor: Fees range from $100 to $250. Once the exact cantor is known, the fee will be set.
(Checks for the above should be payable to the person by name and given on the day of the service.)
- Church Fees: For fees for Reception ($150), Flowers ($100), or AV Guild ($50) please make check out to St. Matthew's Episcopal Church and bring/send to the church no later than the day of the service.
Should be Empty: