“…in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.” Romans 8:37
Reston Bible Church is available for funerals and memorial services for regular attendees of the church. Because our space and resources are very limited please read the following policy carefully.
We realize that this is a very difficult time to be handling so many details. Please do not hesitate to ask any questions, no matter how small they may seem to you. The Special Ministries Coordinator and the rest of the RBC staff are available to assist you through this process. Our desire is that the service will be a blessing to your family and others who will be attending, that the Lord will be glorified in every aspect of this process, and for you to be comforted by the knowledge that our God is sovereign and that He is the Father of all comfort.
There is no charge for the use of the facility for funerals or memorials; however, due to severe space limitations, we may or may not be able to accommodate the day and time you are requesting. We are best able to work with you if there is some flexibility about the day and time. Most funeral homes provide a chapel that may have more flexibility if we can not accommodate your requested day and time.
The First Step
Select a family member or friend who can handle all of the details concerning the memorial/funeral service. Have that person contact both the Special Ministries Coordinator at the church for availability of the facility, and the pastor of your choice to confirm his availability. It is very important that you do this first, before you make any other plans including travel plans for the family and newspaper announcements, and as soon as you know you will be requesting the use of the church.
What Rooms Are Available to You?
1. The Sanctuary is available and now seats approximately 600 people. There is room for a casket at the front of the Sanctuary; please let the Special Ministries Coordinator know if this is what you wish. Please provide the name and address of the Funeral Home to the Ministry Coordinator if the casket is coming to the church.
2. The Cry Room, located at the left just inside the Sanctuary, is available for guests with babies.
3. The church cannot accommodate receptions at the current time. Speak with the Special Ministries Coordinator for more information.
4. There is no smoking or alcoholic beverages allowed anywhere on the church premises.
Tables
There is an oblong wooden table located at the front of the Sanctuary that may also be used for pictures and collages, if you wish. You may also use it for flower arrangements. The Sound Tech will move the existing arrangement and bible on this table for your ceremony. There are also two square wood tables, card-table sized, that can also be used. We suggest putting one of these in the Lobby for any or all of the following: a small flower arrangement, a sign in book and/or a nice basket for cards. The other table can be used wherever you might like, in the Lobby or inside the Sanctuary doors, as another place for pictures or flowers or both.
Sound Tech
There is no charge for a Sound Tech during funerals or memorial services at Reston Bible Church. The Sound Tech will record the service to a CD for you, so that you may duplicate it for those who are unable to attend.
Flowers
1. The church does not provide flowers for funerals or memorial services. Two local florists who will deliver to the church are:
Reston Floral Design (ask for Leslie, if possible) RBC does a lot of business with this florist. They should be very helpful. 703-620-4550
Secret Garden 703-478-2266
2. The church is available for flowers that are delivered on the day of the funeral. You may place them outside on the walk, in the lobby, in the Sanctuary, or in all of these places. Please check with the Special Ministries Coordinator before placing flowers near any musical equipment at the front of the church. A family member or friend should arrive at the church at least one hour prior to the service to place flowers.
3. Flowers must be in clean, rust-free, leak-proof containers and no nails, tacks, or tape, are to be used. Please arrange to have all flowers removed at the end of the ceremony and for the church premises to be left clean after the ceremony.
Music and Instruments
1. The piano is available for your ceremony, but Reston Bible Church does not provide pianists for funerals and memorial services. You may bring your own pianist; or if you do not have one, many funeral homes offer a pianist who will come to the church and play at your service.
2. The organ is not available.
3. All other musical instruments at the front of the church are not available.
4. You may bring your own vocalists. Please let the Special Ministries Coordinator know as soon as possible if you wish to bring any musicians, instruments, and/or accompaniment tracks. It is very important that you go over ALL music needs/requests with the Special Ministries Coordinator as soon as possible. Any accompaniment tracks must be on CD and must be delivered to the church no later than the day before the funeral/memorial service to determine suitability for the church equipment. Our audio/visual resources are very limited. Please check with the Special Ministries Coordinator if you have any questions or other requests in this area.
Media Presentations
Any request for a PowerPoint or slideshow should be discussed with the Special Ministries Coordinator as soon as possible for suitability of the audio/visual equipment.
Funeral Order of Service
1. We will do a handout for you that includes the order of service.
a. The size is 8.5” x 11” folded in half. The overall size of the handout will then be 5.5 x 8.” We suggest a nice parchment paper in your choice of color. See suggestions below.
i. Front cover includes picture of loved one, name, and dates.
ii. Inside left page contains a bio of the person and list of family names.
iii. Inside right page contains the Order of Service below:
Prelude hymns/songs on CD
Hymn# or chorus vocalist name
Opening remarks by pastor his name
Scripture reading who?
Eulogy who?
Other people sharing? List names
Hymn# or favorite chorus? Vocalist name
Message & Gospel pastor’s name
Postlude hymns/songs on CD
iv. Back cover can contain the following: Scripture passage, poem, devotional thought, lyrics to songs sung in service, or short bio here, if not already used or directed giving information, if to a foundation. Church information is located at the bottom of the back cover.
b. Reston Bible Church does not offer a “liturgical” service. The above reflects what a funeral/memorial service will look like at Reston Bible Church.
What Can Be Moved On The Stage?
1. The podium and front table can be moved.
2. We are unable to relocate the drums or piano or anything else not listed in # 1.
3. A representative from your family will meet with the Special Ministries Coordinator at the church to go over placement of flowers, casket, and other items no later than noon the day before the service. You may also suggest that the funeral home contact the Special Ministries Coordinator directly for more details.
Ushers
Depending on the anticipated number of guests attending the ceremony, you will want to choose a number of people to serve as ushers. We suggest at least three, even for small services. The ushers should stand at the doors to the Sanctuary and pass out the Order of Service, be available to seat the guests, and answer questions. The ushers MUST be at the church one hour prior to the start of the service. This is very important and we cannot overstate the importance of having dependable people who will usher for your service! All ushers need to meet with the Special Ministries Coordinator one hour prior to the service to receive instruction on greeting the guests, directing them to the guest book, handing out the Order of Service and lyric sheets (if not included in your handout), and directing guests to their seating.
Videotaping
RBC does not currently have the capability to video tape your service. Please let the Special Ministries Coordinator know if you have someone, or have hired someone to videotape for you, as soon as possible.
Pre-Service Meeting with Pastor
The officiating pastor will want to meet with a few of the immediate family sometime before the service. This may happen the day before or on the day of one hour before the start of the service. The pastor will use this time to learn more about your loved one in preparation for the service. The Special Ministries Coordinator will coordinate the time for this meeting.
Graveside Service
If your funeral/memorial service includes a local internment, and you wish to have a graveside service, the Special Ministries Coordinator will coordinate with the pastor for his time and availability. If the pastor is not available for the graveside service, the Special Ministries Coordinator will contact an associate pastor.
Pastor Appreciation
There is no set fee for the Pastor. Please remember, however, the preparation time he spends with you, the time in preparing the message, the time for the service, and traveling to and from and officiating at the graveside service. Your gift to the Pastor should be given directly to him.
Suggested items you may want to provide
1. Flowers for any or all of the following: Stage, front table, Lobby table, other place in the Sanctuary, or outside walkway.
2. Tablecloths for wooden tables
3. Basket for cards – check with Coordinator to see what the church may have also
4. Pictures and collages
5. Music CDs for prelude and postlude
Thank you
Thank you for the blessing of serving you through this process. Although the details seem to be overwhelming, please be assured that we are committed to walk with you every step of the way. To celebrate the life of your loved one and to touch the hearts of those attending with the hope of the Gospel is our greatest desire. God alone deserves the glory!