Memorial Services honor loved ones who have died by celebrating their lives and offering comfort and support for those they’ve left behind. Our minister along with the family of the deceased person will work together to honor your loved one and develop a memorial service to recognize your loved one’s life and memory.

Memorial services often include:

• A eulogy
• Poems and other readings
• Prayer or meditation
• A time to remember the deceased with stories and memories
• Hymn singing or other music
• A time of personal reflection

Use of the Sanctuary

There is no charge for the use of our facilities for memorial services for our members and friends or the close relatives of members and friends. Our facilities are available for rent for memorial services for others. Contact our office administrator for information on availability, scheduling, use policies and facility use fees.

Ministerial Services

Our minister is available to plan and lead memorial services for Members and Friends without charge and, on occasion, for those who are not Members and Friends of our congregation. When the deceased is not a Member or Friend of UU Manchester, or a close relative of a Member, it is customary for the family to pay for the minister’s services.

Music

Please contact our office administrator if you would like to arrange for the performance of music for a memorial service. Payment of an honorarium for musicians is customary.

Reception

Those wishing to hold a reception after the memorial service may make arrangements for food or catering at their own expense or, in the case of Members and Friends of the congregation, may ask our Hospitality Committee to plan and organize the reception. When the Hospitality Committee organizes a reception it requests donation of food from friends of the deceased person and others in the congregation. If it is necessary for the committee to purchase food for the reception, the family may be asked to reimburse us for the cost of the food.