Funerals & Memorial Services

If you wish to have a funeral or memorial service at Tottenham United Church, please contact Rev. Dyanne Marlok at [email protected]

Funeral Policy

This policy represents the intention of Tottenham United Church with regards to the conduct of funeral and/or memorial services for deceased members, adherents and others associated with our Community of Faith (COF).

STATEMENT OF PURPOSE AND BELIEF

We believe that death is not the end of a human life story but rather marks the movement from one phase of existence to another, lived in the nearer presence of God. When Tottenham United Church is invited to participate in the funeral or memorial service of an individual, we commit ourselves to provide a sacred and holy opportunity for the celebration of a human life and for the worship of our God who is always present with us: in life, in death and in life beyond death, God is with us, we are never alone (A New Creed, The United Church of Canada, 1968).

POLICY

  • Funeral or memorial services conducted at Tottenham United Church are Christian ceremonies, held within the context of the beliefs and rituals that accompany death in the Christian tradition.
  • All persons, whether members of Tottenham United Church or not, are able to have their funeral or memorial service conducted at the church, following the guidelines laid out in this document.
  • If the deceased person is a member or adherent of Tottenham United Church, the incumbent Minister(s) of TUC will conduct the funeral or memorial service.
  • Permission for another Minister(s) to conduct the service could be granted by the incumbent Minister and the Board.
  • On occasion, other individuals connected to the family of the deceased may preside at the service, but only with permission of the Board and in adherence to the guidelines outlined in this document.
  • A family or another group may rent the church to conduct a funeral or memorial service, following the guidelines outlined in this document.
  • Minister(s) of Tottenham United Church are permitted, on occasion, to conduct a funeral or memorial service outside of the church, recognizing that their first commitment of time is to the members and adherents of Tottenham United Church.
  • All fees associated with services offered by Tottenham United Church will be reviewed, on an annual basis by the Official Board. Such fees may include, but are not limited to the Minister, the organist-accompanist, the funeral or memorial service host, the audiovisual operators, the preparation of a service bulletin, rental of the church and rental of church equipment. All fees are due and payable within 30 days of the conduct of the funeral or memorial service.
  • The organist-accompanist of Tottenham United Church has the right of first refusal on all funeral or memorial services conducted at Tottenham UC.
  • If audiovisual equipment is needed for the conduct of the service, only duly authorized operators from Tottenham United Church will have access to the equipment.
  • Animals, other than duly certified service animals, are not permitted on church property.
  • Appropriate pastoral care follow-up will be offered to members and adherents of Tottenham United Church (e.g., telephone calls, personal visits, cards).
  • Tottenham United Church will host funeral receptions for members and adherents of the church, but only at a direct request from the family. This does not preclude outside groups from conducting funeral receptions. 
  • Alcohol consumption or the use of drugs, other than prescription drugs, at funeral or memorial receptions held at Tottenham United Church is not permitted.
  • The conduct of funeral or memorial services at Tottenham United Church is at the discretion of the Minister working in collaboration with the Official Board.
  • All funeral or memorial services conducted by Minister(s) of Tottenham United Church whether inside or outside of the church, must be recorded in the Burial Register.
  • This policy document is a living document and can be changed at any time, with the approval of the Board. 

The Board must inform the congregation about the policies that have been established by the Board and will seek ratification of each policy change at an Annual Congregational Meeting.