FUNERAL PLANNING at South Canyon Lutheran

Our prayers are with you during this time of grief and loss. God's blessings to you for comfort, grace, love and strength. South Canyon Lutheran pastors, staff, and congregation are here to be of assistance to you during this process of funeral planning and grief.


At the time of loss

If your loved one has recently passed away, please call the South Canyon Lutheran Church office at 605-343-4887 to speak to someone in pastoral care ministry. If you call outside of normal church office hours, please carefully listen to the voicemail prompts. It will direct you to an emergency contact and phone number.


Service at South Canyon Lutheran Church

If you plan to have the funeral or memorial service at South Canyon Lutheran Church, please contact the church. They can assist you with funeral/memorial service and reception preparations. A pastor will typically meet with the family for 1 to 2 hours to discuss the order of service.


Funeral Preparations

It is often difficult for families to make decisions regarding funeral arrangements at the time of the death of a loved one. In the midst of grieving the family must make many important decisions. They frequently wish that they knew the desires of the one who died. This is an opportunity for you to think about your funeral plans. You may use this as a guide for your thinking and may use it to make your personal desires known to the pastoral staff of South Canyon Lutheran Church.

If you are anticipating the death of a loved one, a pastor is available to assist with funeral planning and preparations. The pastor can also provide communion, pray and visitation with the family and loved one before death.


Tools & Resources

Here are some tools that you can use in funeral planning:


(They are pdf files; you will need a pdf reader program to view them - If you do not have one, you may download Adobe's Acrobat Reader here, or you may download Foxit Reader here).

To download to your computer for later reading, right click on the newsletter issue link and then select "Save Target As ..." (Internet Explorer and Opera), or "Save Link As ..." (Firefox) and then save to your computer.


Health Care Directive

Health Care Directive forms can be found at the South Dakota Advance Directive website (http://www.caringinfo.org) 800/658-8898.


Photographs & Other Keepsakes

Now is a good time to go through old photographs and keepsakes. You might want to think about which picture you would like to go with the obituary or on the funeral bulletin, photographs to display at the visitation, etc. You might also want to think about and discuss other keepsakes that you want at the visitation or poems or other readings you would like shared.


All Saints' Weekend

On the first weekend in November, South Canyon Lutheran Church celebrates All Saints' Weekend. During worship, the South Canyon Lutheran congregation remembers those that have passed away and celebrates their eternal life.


Grief Counseling

For more information on grief counseling and groups, call the Stephen Ministry Coordinator at 343-4887 or email info @ sclc-rc.org.