Funerals and Memorial Services

Yes, all funeral/memorial services are officiated by The Woodlands Methodist Church pastors and are specifically Christian in nature. Many services are conducted by our Pastors of Caring Ministry. Other The Woodlands Methodist Church pastors may be requested; however, they often have limited availability and are unable to accommodate many families.

In a funeral, the casket containing the body of the deceased is present. There is no casket at a memorial service, although sometimes there may be an urn containing the cremated ashes of the deceased. Caskets at The Woodlands Methodist Church services are required to be closed during and after the service. However they can be opened prior to the service.

Funeral or memorial services are held between the hours of 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. We are unable to accommodate services on Saturdays or Sundays as the church is reserved for worship and other ministry events. In addition, seasonal ministry events may prevent services at certain times during the week. The Caring Ministry Team will help you schedule around those events.

• Chrysostom Chapel - up to 30 guests (with no media support)
• The Robb Chapel - up to 300 guests
• Harvest venue - up to 1,000 guests
• Sanctuary - up to 1,800 guest

• Initial planning session and ongoing service coordination by members of the Caring Ministry Team to arrange and complete all details of the service.
• Funeral/memorial service held in a space on The Woodlands Methodist Church’s campus lasting approximately 60 minutes (or less).
• Congregational Care Team volunteers present to handle all service coordination and aspects of Hospitality.
• The Woodlands Methodist Church’s media staff member to run all technology components of the service.
• Design and printing of standard bulletins using one of our four design covers.
• Any tables, with black tablecloths, or chairs needed in the service.
• Audio recording link of the service available to you two weeks post-service to use however you like.

To provide your family and our staff with adequate planning time, we request a minimum of three business days between the service request/reservation and the day of the service.

Altar flowers are not required. It is the family’s option and expense, and you may order from your choice of florists. If you choose to have altar flowers, please instruct your florist to deliver the flowers/plants on the day of the service at least one hour before the service time. Flowers sent as gifts by others will be displayed in the venue, Narthex and other entry areas. The flowers have been a gift to the family and must be taken with you when you leave the church.

Many of our pastors use a format outlined below. The pastor officiating your service will work with you to customize the service to fit your needs and wishes. This general order usually provides for a lovely service that fits a 60-minute (or less) timeframe.

• Welcome: Pastor
• Hymn/Song: Musician
• Remembrances: 1-3 Loved Ones (2-3 minutes each)
• Hymn/Song: Musician
• Scripture reading
• Message: Pastor
• Hymn/Song: Musician
• Lord’s Prayer and Closing Prayer: Pastor

Yes, if desired, you may bring us a completed video DVD or PowerPoint of photos or video that you have created, with or without sound. Christian or secular music that is appropriate in a church setting may be used with the slide show. Please allow at least 1 business day before the service for The Woodlands Methodist Church Media to test and set up the slide show. Framed photos and memorabilia may be arranged on a table in the Narthex of your service venue immediately prior to the service. [Note: Robb Chapel does not have the ability to project a slide show.]

Music is an integral part of any worship service here at The Woodlands Methodist Church. Your pastor will help you choose Christian music for the service. Approved secular music that is appropriate in a church setting may be used with the slide show.

We have many talented musicians here at The Woodlands Methodist Church who can provide Christian music for funeral/memorial services in the traditional or contemporary styles. The Pastoral Care Team will identify and schedule musicians for you. Musician fees do apply and will be outlined clearly when planning the service. The Woodlands Methodist Church musicians will always do their best to balance family wishes and song requests along with providing high-quality music for each service. However, be advised that musicians are rarely able to learn new songs outside of their existing repertoire in time for a funeral/memorial service. A list of suggested songs is included below.

We recommend arriving 30 minutes to 1 hour (for larger services) before the service.

• Our onsite coordinator will greet you as you arrive, ensure your family settles into the family room, receive your payment, and answer any questions that arise.
• If you are setting up a photo/memorabilia display for the service, the best time to do so is an hour before the service.
• About 10-15 minutes before the service, the pastor will meet and pray with the family in the family room.
• At the end of the service, the pastor will lead the family out to the exit. To ensure a smooth exit of all guests behind you, please proceed directly to the exit until released by the pastor.

• There is no charge for the worship venue, family room, bulletins, technical and custodial services.
• Officiating Pastor: Honorarium is discretionary, but generally starts around $200. Payable to the pastor.
• Caring Ministry Assistant: Honorarium is discretionary, but generally starts around $100. Payable to the assistant.
• Organist/Pianist/Guitarist $150. Payable directly to the musician.
• Song leader $150. Payable directly to the song leader.
• Soloist, vocal or instrumental minimum of $150. Payable directly to the vocalist.