Planning the Service:

The process of planning a funeral or memorial service for a loved one can be an emotional and confusing time. At Fairfax Community Church (FCC) we want to help and guide you in the planning of a service that will be both a meaningful tribute for your loved one, and a comfort to family and friends. A well thought out service is not only a final good-bye but it is also the start of a healing process for those who will attend. We pray that the journey through grief and the process of healing and reconciliation will bring renewed faith in Jesus Christ.

If FCC is your church home, or has been the church home of your loved one you will meet with a member of our Community Life Team and the presiding pastor to assist you in planning the service. Your individual family circumstances will help in deciding if the funeral or memorial service will be held at the church or at a local funeral home. In either case, the pastor will be available to be present at the interment following the service. Funeral and memorial services may be held at the church building (located at 11451 Braddock Road in Fairfax) on Monday, Wednesday or Friday, as well as some Saturday mornings. Availability depends on that week’s church calendar. We are not able to host services for those who are not connected to FCC.

Some of the things that can be included in your loved one’s service to make it more personal may include readings of scripture or a favorite poem read by a family member, or brief words of remembrance spoken by a family member or close friend. Hymns or other appropriate music that is meaningful can also be included. If you wish to have a slide show of photographs depicting your loved one’s life you will need to provide that on a flash drive, to the staff member assisting you with planning at least two days prior to the service.

The staff member assisting you with planning will work with your selected funeral home to coordinate times and logistics as necessary. Some people choose to have the deceased’s body present in open casket for viewing just prior to the funeral/memorial service while others prefer to have the casket closed. Those who have chosen cremation may wish to have the urn placed on a table with a photograph of the deceased.

If the service is held at FCC, you may choose to have a gathering in our Great Room area. We will by happy to provide light refreshments and coffee for your guests.

Worship Folder:

We’re happy to provide a worship folder for family and friends to have as a remembrance of your loved one. This is a single fold ivory paper that usually has a photograph of the deceased on the front page along with his or her full name and dates of birth and death. The inside and the back of the folder can include the order of worship for the service and a short biography of your loved one, as well as names of surviving family, pall bearers names, a short poem, note of thanks and/or an invitation to a reception following the service.

Floral Arrangements

Floral arrangements frequently include a spray for the casket and sometimes an arrangement for either side of the casket. If you wish to order these, you can do so by contacting any local florist. Some friends and family may also want to order flowers to be delivered to the church. These deliveries can be made to FCC up until 5:00pm the weekday afternoon prior to the service or as early as 9:00am the morning of the service. Many families opt to request that donations be made to a favorite charity organization in remembrance of their loved one, in lieu of flowers being sent.

Information Needed:

Below is a list of information that you will need to provide as we start the planning process for your loved one’s service:

  • Full name of deceased Primary contact person
  • Date of birth Phone for primary contact
  • Date of death Address of primary contact
  • Funeral home name Email for primary contact
  • Funeral home address Place of service
  • Funeral director’s name Number of guests expected
  • Phone contact for director Pastor requested
  • Place of interment Reception following service
  • Names of pallbearers

Contact:

If you need to start the planning process, have any questions, or if you would like any further information, please feel free to contact Care@fairfax.cc or 703-745-1030, x109.