It is the policy of Our Savior's to provide memorial and funeral services and supporting pastoral care to members, non-member attendees, and to others in the community as a part of the pastoral ministry of the congregation. The following guidelines are used in scheduling, planning, and carrying out funerals and memorial services.

Initial Contact
Please notify a pastor immediately if a death has occurred. The pastor on call, or the pastor who has been involved with the family in pastoral care, will provide the family with immediate pastoral care. The pastor will find out what needs exist in the family setting and coordinate the resources of the congregation, (e.g. meals, transportation, etc.). In some cases, the coordinating pastor or staff may be called upon to help a family locate a funeral home, cemetery, or other resource

Memorial and Funeral Service Planning
The coordinating pastor will provide the family three choices for day and time of service. If a reception is requested, the coordinating pastor will work with the family to design the service, and make arrangements for special music and other services. Our Savior’s can provide a Service bulletin. We will also announce the service on the Sunday prior, and, if feasable, we will post a notice of the service in the Sunday bulletin.

Reception
The congregation offers 3 choices for receptions:

• Family catered reception – served by members of the congregation; suggested donation of $150, though this figure is at the discretion of the family
• Outside catering service – no service by the church; arrangements to be made with the caterer; if food is prepared off-site there is a suggested donation of $150; if food is prepared in church kitchen there is a set fee of $300; the caterer needs to contact the church office for kitchen certification process (503) 635-4563
• Our Savior’s Lutheran congregation catered and served – suggested donation of $150, plus the cost of food

Suggested Honorarium for personnel
While the congregation provides services at “no cost,” it is customary for the family to give honorariums to people who make the service possible. The amounts of the honorariums are discretional, but families often want to know what is appropriate. The following honorariums have been researched in surrounding churches and with church musicians and is provided to families as normal honorarium amounts, not as charges.

• Organist $125.00
• Sound Tech $ 70.00
• Custodial Services $ 50.00
  Total amount: $245.00 – Please make check payable to: Our Savior’s Lutheran Church
• Pastor(s) $200
  This is a suggested honorarium and is at the discretion of the family. If a gift is given it may be given directly to the Pastor.

Chapel or Celebration Center Setup
The Facilities Coordinator will be responsible for facilities set up and tear down for funeral and Memorial services, coordinating with other ministries that use that space before or after the service to ensure effective transitions.

Family Follow-up
The coordinating pastor will provide continuing pastoral care follow-up with the family, in coordination with the Parish Nurse. Every effort will be made to encourage local family members to avail themselves of the resources of the congregation during their grieving and healing process, such as pastoral counseling, Stephen Ministers, Befrienders, Shepherd Groups, and Grief Recovery Classes.