Memorial Services at the Aspen Chapel
As an Interfaith Chapel, our doors are always open to all people. The Chapel’s staff endeavors to serve you and the memorial service in many ways. In requesting a service at the Chapel, it is not required that one be a current member of any particular religious group, but consider yourself a part of the greater and universal family of God. The Aspen Chapel’s emphasis is on providing a spiritual orientation and setting for a memorial. The Chapel staff would also like to be as supportive to family and friends as we possibly can.
Chaplain’s Approach
Any ordained clergy or appropriate officiant approved by the Aspen Chapel may conduct a memorial service at the Chapel. Rev. Dr. Gregg R. Anderson is often available to help conduct and/or construct the service. In some churches or denominations a traditional format is often used. At the Chapel, we attempt to personalize and customize each memorial service.
It is most important, therefore, that one or two consultations occur with Rev. Anderson prior to the service. This time with the minister is meant to be supportive and helpful toward planning the right memorial for the deceased as well as for the family and friends. The consultation can also help those closest to the deceased focus their thoughts, express sorrow, remember celebrations and establish a foundation for the recovery of loss.
The Approach to the Service
Most memorial services include a pastoral introduction, scriptural readings, other poems and readings, prayers, pastoral comment regarding life and death, silent meditation, eulogy and music. Music can contribute significantly to most memorials and there are various forms of music that can be utilized.
A personal eulogy is perhaps the most essential and customary aspect of any memorial service. Because the minister may not have known the deceased well, or known them at all, he can help provide a framework for the service by having those people who were closest to the deceased share their memories and feelings. Another option toward personalizing the eulogy is to have loved ones write down their thoughts about the deceased and have them read by the minister or someone else during the service.
Friends and family are helpful in arranging details of the service such as: publicity, ushers, guest book, phone calls, pall bearers, flowers, memorial fund, parking and reception.
Interment services can also be arranged through the Chapel. Usually, a brief graveside service occurs immediately following the memorial.
Receptions following a memorial and/or interment are a most fitting and celebrative conclusion to the services. Often, receptions are held in places other than the Chapel, but there is reception space available in the Chapel Gallery or Chapel Garden areas. Specifics of a reception can be planned with the Chapel’s staff.
Requested Contributions
The Aspen Chapel does not have an ongoing pledging congregation and is therefore dependent on the donations it receives. The requested contributions are based on actual costs for the Chapel, Chaplain and support staff. Depending on the complexity of the arrangements, suggested contributions range from:
| Chapel | $150 to $400 |
| Chapel Clergy | $200 to $300 |
| Support Staff | $50 to $200 |
| Organist & Pianist | $175 |
| Vocalist | $125 |
| Instrumentalist | $125 |
| Reception | $150 to $300 |
Larger contributions will be gratefully accepted.
We hope the above information will be helpful to you. Our desire is for your experience here at the Aspen Chapel to be personal, meaningful and spiritual. If you have any further questions or need to make arrangements for a memorial or funeral service, please phone the Chapel.