The loss of a loved one can hurt deeply. The mission of the Bereavement Ministry is to provide spiritual support and comfort to individuals and their relatives who experience the death of a loved one. We strive to comfort and encourage those who are confined to their homes, hospitals and other health-care facilities due to illness or other medical conditions. And should your family suffer a death, we stand ready to serve and assist with funeral arrangements and other details.
“Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4)
“Anguish”…“numbness”…“heartache”…“anger” are just some of the responses we have when we hear about the death of someone close to us. The word homegoing symbolizes the connection that Christians have with our Heavenly Father. When we die as a son or daughter of God, we return home to our Father. Thus the term homegoing is substituted for the word funeral.
“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.” (John 14:1-3)
We can never be truly prepared to lose a loved one. The Bereavement Ministry is in place to help you with your initial reactions to as well as planning and preparation for the death; serving you during the homegoing; and providing spiritual support afterward. We have an entire team in place to provide compassionate care with sensitivity and grace.
Descriptions of Different Types of Services Provided
In most Christian societies, families have customs to commemorate the life and death of a recently deceased relative. Esserville Church makes available various types of services, ranging from intimate gatherings to sanctuary celebrations.
Although Esserville Church does not maintain a contractual relationship with any funeral home or cemetery, upon request we will offer a referral listing for Wise County and the greater Southwest Virginia, Eastern Tennessee, and Eastern Kentucky area.
Homegoing Service at Esserville Church
It is an honor for us to serve you and your families as you celebrate the life of your loved one. We have ministers, ushers, musicians, and sound technicians for each service conducted on the Church Campus, which accommodates 350 people.
Memorial Service at Esserville Church
Here at Esserville Church, the term memorial service modifies the homegoing service by honoring the deceased person with pictures, flowers, crosses and urns without the presence of a casket. The actual service can be as formal as a homegoing service or as relaxed as a time of reflection and fellowship. The final format and activities of the memorial service must be approved by Pastor Travis and the General Board before the service can take place.
Funeral Home Service
A funeral home service takes place in the chapel of a local funeral home. Whenever the family chooses this option for the homegoing service, the funeral home staff assists the family with planning the service. Upon request, Esserville Church will provide ministers and musicians.
Graveside Service
Graveside Services are small and intimate homegoing services that take place literally at the cemetery. Families coordinate this option with the cemetery and funeral home of their choice. When requested, Esserville Church ministers are in place to officiate, pray, share words of comfort and offer the final committal. Special features of graveside services usually include: an extremely brief service (5 to 10 minutes), the onsite committal and family observation of the initial stages of the internment (burial).
Wake / Family Hour/ Viewing
It is customary for some of our members to honor their loved one with a “wake,” “viewing” or “family hour.” All three of these services take place at the funeral home or Church and are generally informal and have a brief time set aside for remarks and prayer. A minister or funeral home staff member will be present to oversee the proceedings.
A formal wake takes place in the chapel of the funeral home or the sanctuary of the Church, with the body of the deceased person presented for public viewing. The funeral home staff will arrange the type of service the family desires.
During informal wakes, there is not an officiating person present. At any point, members in the audience are welcome to come up to the front of the chapel or sanctuary and offer reflections or share one-on-one with the deceased person’s family.
The family hour is a term that symbolizes a prearranged period of time that one or more family members are present at the funeral home or Church to receive visitors. The funeral home staff arranges an area where family members sit in the same private room with their loved one’s body. Visitors share a few intimate moments with the family; bonds are reconnected, memories are stirred and encouragement is shared one with the other.
A public viewing is an option some families choose to provide an opportunity for others to come by the funeral home or Church to see the deceased person. This option allows persons who cannot attend the homegoing or memorial service a time of private reflection with their friend.
Resolution Letter
The resolution letter is also known as a “proclamation,” or “tribute.” Upon request, this personal expression of encouragement comes from Pastor Travis and the Esserville Church family. Members of our congregation receive this personal memento which is often read during the remarks portion of the homegoing service.
Repast Meals
When a loved one departs this life, it often means that the family and extended family will have much to do and plan. As a service to our church family, we will, upon request, prepare a meal for your family. This ministry has always proven to be a great source of help, comfort, and restoration as the family does not have to prepare a meal, or be concerned with the clean up associated with having a large meal. The repast meal is prepared and served in the Dining Hall of the Church, and it is our privilege to serve you in your time of bereavement.
