Funeral and Memorial Services Policy for Door Creek Church

March 6, 2006

Grief and hope are profound and God-given emotions.  Their expression may be fully compatible with both faith and worship and, in the context of  a funeral service that is designed to enhance faith, hope and worship in the face of grief, may be a welcome agent of healing.  If you are seeking a funeral service here at Door Creek Church, that is our prayer and heartfelt desire for you.

Funeral and memorial services at Door Creek Church are reserved for members and regular attenders of DCC.  Exceptions must be approved by the SLT (Senior Leadership Team) with the recommendation of the Pastor of Marriage and Family.  These exceptions may be granted in cases such as large "community" funerals or to assist other churches lacking adequate facilities.  All decisions for exceptions will consider facility, staff and volunteer availability.  Door Creek Church reserves the right to approve any requested Pastor, speaker or choice of music.

Due to church programming needs, the building must be available for other activity setup by 4:00 p.m. on weekdays and 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays.  Sunday memorial services may begin no earlier than 2:00 p.m. and must end in time for preparing for evening activities.  Where scheduling conflict is unavoidable staff and ministry leaders will work with the Pastor of Marriage and Family to meet everyone's needs as much as possible.

Fees:  Building use fees for funerals, waived for families of church members, is $50 for regular attendees and $100 for others and includes the auditorium, atrium, and specified incidental areas.  The fee for the use of the Activity Center for funeral luncheons, waived for families of church members, is $50 for regular attendees and $100 for others.  In addition, funeral team members such as Media operators and worship team members will require a flat fee of $250 to be distributed by the Director of Worship.

The basic cost of a provided luncheon is about $1.50 per person for DCC members and attendees, but will be adjusted upwards as needed based on the food requested.  All luncheons are based on the availability of volunteers.  [Catering is available.]

The seating capacity of the auditorium is 675.  We will rope off unused seating areas, but we will not remove seating sections.  For small, intimate funeral gatherings, consideration of the use of the funeral home chapel is suggested.

Outside funerals must submit a request to DCC at least 36 hours in advance and be approved as indicated above.  Only DCC-trained personnel may operate the AV and lighting equipment.

All normal rules of DCC building use apply.

For more information on funerals at Door Creek, please contact Cal Steiner, Pastor of Congregational Care, at 608-222-8586 Ext. 24 or email calsteiner@doorcreekchurch.org