Funerals

At some point in our lives, we will be faced with planning a funeral or memorial service for a loved one. The ministry of Applewood United Church is available to assist you through the process.

Our Minister

Rev Joanne Hedge is available to conduct funeral services and to assist the family with service planning.

She will meet with family members and/or close friends to share stories, offer pastoral care, and plan a service that is meaningful.  This meeting may take place whenever and wherever is most comfortable: the church, your home, even at the funeral home handling the arrangements.

The minister will outline the form a service may take with those who are gathered to do the planning.  It may include scripture and other appropriate readings, a short meditation, prayers, remembrances about the loved one’s life, music, and symbolic acts of saying goodbye.  Family and friends may share in the service by doing a reading, performing music, sharing stories and memories or in other ways.  If you would like to include a guest minister in the service, please speak directly to Rev Joanne.

The Funeral Service

The service to remember, celebrate and say goodbye may take place in a funeral home, at the graveside, in the church sanctuary or other appropriate facility and the person’s remains (body or cremated remains) may or may not be present.

An order of service may be prepared by the church or the funeral home.  Greeters for the service could be family or friends.  The funeral home will discuss pall bearers if a casket is present, and a Funeral Director/Attendant will be present wherever the service is held to help to prepare the space for the service and assist in other ways.

A brief service of committal takes place either at the conclusion of the service or at the time of interment of the body or cremated remains.

Music

Our Music Director, Christina Mulligan, will work with the family to select appropriate music for the service. Soloists and/or choir members may be requested through Christina.

Our Sanctuary

Our Sanctuary, reception areas, and fully accessible washroom are located on the ground level. In the Sanctuary we offer assistive hearing devices and our media equipment can project PowerPoint presentations should the family wish to prepare and deliver same, in advance of the service. The sound system and media equipment are operated by our own trained operators.

Visitation

Visitation can be scheduled through the funeral home or it can take place at the church in the hour prior to the funeral service.

Reception

Reception space is available following funeral services. However, due to scheduling commitments within the building, we regret that the reception can be no longer than two hours.
The family is responsible for catering the food. When ordering, please remember food allergies and restrictions. We provide hostessing for the reception including setup, coffee, tea, and clean-up.

Suggested caterers are:

Battaglia’s – 1150 Lorne Park Rd. – 905-271-3994
Capital B Café – Applewood Village Plaza – 905-276-5556
Jewell Catering – 1035 Queensway E. – 905-279-7272
Longo’s – Applewood Village Plaza – 905-566-1125

Fees

Officiating Clergy $300.00
Music Director $175.00
Audio Technician $50.00
Visual Technician $50.00 (if required)
Hostessing $200.00*

* An income tax receipt for the hostessing fee will be issued to the person whose name and address are shown on the cheque.

For a pdf version of the funeral brochure please click here – Funeral Brochure.

Revised July 2015
The Reverend Joanne Hedge
Minister of Worship and Pastoral Care
email: minister@applewoodunited.ca

Christina Mulligan
Music Director
email: christina@applewoodunited.ca

Office Administrator
email: office@applewoodunited.ca