A ceremony to honor a life lived
In the blessing, committal, and memorial ceremonies, we remember the deceased and the time spent together with them. We organize the ceremony according to the deceased’s beliefs, whether it be a Christian blessing and memorial service or a committal and memorial service for those not affiliated with a church. We also take care of obtaining the burial permit and delivering it to the necessary authorities.
We assist you in arranging an appropriate program for the ceremony and can recommend local service providers. There is no set formula, as each ceremony is designed to reflect the individuality of the deceased.
In keeping with tradition, we are present at the start of the funeral to ensure that everything proceeds as it should.
Blessing ceremony and its proceedings
Members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church are blessed before cremation or burial. The blessing ceremony is led by a priest who, after listening to the family’s stories about the deceased, conducts the service in a manner that honors the deceased’s personality. During the blessing, a prayer is read, and one or more hymns are sung. Other musical performances can also be arranged.
At the end of the blessing, the family members are the first to lay flowers beside the coffin, followed by other relatives and friends. The verse on the floral tribute is read aloud, and the flowers are placed either beside the coffin or on the floor. Sometimes, flowers are laid at the grave instead.
If the ceremony involves cremation, the coffin is left in place in the chapel or moved to the hearse. Guests may visit the burial site afterwards to know where to go for future visits to remember the deceased.
If the coffin is to be buried, it is carried out of the church, led by the priest. Funeral guests may bring their flowers to the grave. The coffin is lowered into the grave, and soil is sprinkled over it. The grave is then covered, and flowers can be placed on top.
We always guide you in advance on how to proceed in the chapel.
Committal service and non-religious funerals
A burial without a blessing ceremony, known as a non-religious or civil funeral, is arranged when the deceased has left the church or was never a member. Local parishes provide burial plots for all residents of the area. Civil burials and committal services can often be held in the chapel on the cemetery grounds.
In the capital region, it is also possible to arrange a blessing ceremony for the deceased, meaning that a priest can perform a blessing even if the deceased was not a church member. Discussing the options with a priest can help the family make a decision that aligns with the deceased’s wishes.
Non-religious funerals are often led by the family. During the committal service, one of the relatives typically acts as the speaker, although an external speaker can be used if needed. Committal services often feature organ music, and flowers are laid on the grave. Afterward, attendees usually proceed to the memorial service.
Memorial service and its program
In a memorial service, loved ones gather to remember the deceased and the time spent with them. The service typically includes at least coffee, and often a meal, especially if guests are traveling from a distance. The program might feature the deceased’s favorite music, speeches and memories shared by close friends and family, or even a poem read aloud. Photos of the deceased, collected in advance, can help in sharing memories.
If you want to create a lasting memory for the guests, hiring a professional photographer is a good option, allowing everyone to focus on the service. We can assist you in organizing the program you envision and recommend local service providers.
