Funerals and Memorial Services

Throughout its long history, The Memorial Church has been a place where the Harvard Community has gathered for funerals and memorial services commemorating the lives of family, friends and colleagues. This solemn tradition is part of the ministry of the Church and we are honored to offer our support in planning and scheduling these services.

Please read through this material carefully. If you would like to schedule a service or have any particular concerns not addressed here, please contact the Sexton, Richard Campbell, at 617-496-3195, Wednesday to Saturday. Please remember that The Memorial Church is a University facility and as such hosts many events that may change the programming and appearance of the Church surrounding the date of your service. We will do our best to inform you of any Church, University, or community event that may affect your service date, or place unusual demands upon the Church's accessibility or significantly change the Church's appearance.

The Memorial Church and Appleton Chapel are available for the memorial services or funerals of:

• Officers of instruction or administration of the University listed in the University Directory for the current year and their spouses, children, parents or siblings
• Enrolled students listed in the Directory for the current academic year
• Former students listed in the Alumni Records
• Present employees of the University and their spouses, children, parents or siblings
• Officers emeriti or retired employees

Funeral and memorial services are usually held Wednesday through Friday, as the schedule of the Church permits. The Sexton may be able to make additional times of the week available, by special request. Two hours are scheduled for each service. This includes one half-hour for guests to arrive, one hour for the service, and one half-hour for cleanup.

Download Funeral and Memorial Service Information Form (PDF)

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Clergy in The Memorial Church

The clergy in The Memorial Church are available upon consultation to officiate at services. To make an appointment, please call Leslie Kress, Staff Assistant to the Chaplains, at 617-496-1643.

Guest Clergy

It is the responsibility of those organizing the service to secure a clergy person to officiate. Licensed ministers, priests, or rabbis of recognized religious bodies are welcome to conduct services in The Memorial Church or Appleton Chapel.

Note: Officiants are required to complete a form, provided by the Sexton, for the Church register.

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Either the Gund University Organist and Choirmaster, Edward Jones, or his assistant will play the organ for the service. As soon as a service is confirmed, an organist will be assigned. Coordinators may then contact the assigned organist to discuss musical selections.

The University Organist and Choirmaster is responsible for all music in The Memorial Church and is available by appointment for consultation on the choice of music. As we are concerned to maintain a uniform standard of performance consistent with the customs and practices of The Memorial Church, the Choirmaster has the final decision concerning the musical portions of all services taking place here.

The University Organist and Choirmaster or his assistant will be pleased to discuss the choice of hymns, organ or instrumental pieces before, during, and after the service, as well as the use of instrumentalists, soloists, choirs, and visiting musicians. Service coordinators are urged to arrange an early consultation concerning the music so that the Choirmaster may give appropriate advice and necessary arrangements may be put into place. To arrange a consultation, please contact the Research Associate in Music, Carson P. Cooman, at 617-496-9425. Musicians who are not members of the staff of The Memorial Church may not be engaged to play in The Memorial Church without the permission of the University Organist and Choirmaster. A surcharge of $25 per singer or instrumentalist will be added to the Organist's fee in compensation for the extra consultation and rehearsal time.

Note: Electronic amplification is not available for singers in The Memorial Church.

Recorded music is not permitted in The Memorial Church.

Many funerals and memorial services include speakers. Ordinarily, two or three persons representing various aspects of the deceased's life are invited to speak. These speeches should not exceed five minutes each. This time limit prevents the service from exceeding its allotted duration. Speakers should arrive thirty minutes before the service to receive instruction. Those organizing the service are responsible for selecting the speakers.

Those organizing the service are also responsible for providing ushers. A service with one hundred guests should have at least six ushers. Ushers are responsible for seating guests and distributing programs. After everyone is seated, ushers should take their seats in the front pew on the north side (left) of the Church. Ushers should arrive at least a half-hour prior to the service for instructions from the Sexton.

Guest books are provided by those planning the service and may be placed on the stands in the narthex.

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The preparation of and payment for programs for the service are the responsibility of those planning the service. The Sexton will assist in the preparation of a program if all necessary information is provided within a reasonable period of time. Printing usually requires ten days' notice.

A program should include the full name of the deceased, his or her University affiliation, dates of birth and death, and the names of the officiant, musicians, speakers, and ushers. Information regarding receptions or donations may also be listed.

Sample Order of Service

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Placement

Those organizing the service are responsible for providing flowers. Ordinarily one large floral piece is placed on the chancel table (altar). Two additional small pieces may be placed near the pulpit and lectern (on the steps to either side), but under no circumstances may there be more than three floral displays in the chancel. Extravagant displays are discouraged, and all flowers other than those permitted in the chancel will be placed near the entrance in the narthex.

Other Decorations

No fixed furnishings or ornaments in the Church may be covered or removed except as noted below. Special furniture or equipment used during the service should be limited to what is available in the Church, unless other arrangements are made with the Sexton. The following items are available for use in the Church:

• Chancel table (altar), 2 feet wide by 7.7 feet long (no altarcloth)
• One floral stand, 11.5 x 11.5 (top surface of stand)
• Four ornate chairs (two with arms)
• A Hebrew tablet with the text "Surely the Lord is in this place," which may be installed in the chancel area, in the center of the screen
• A swag, serving as a drape for the choir screen cross

Pall

When the body of the deceased is to be present for a funeral, the coffin arrives at the Church closed and upon entering the narthex is immediately covered with the church pall. After arriving at the Church, the coffin remains closed and is not again reopened. If the deceased was a member of the armed forces, the coffin may be covered with the flag of the United States. Floral displays, wreaths and decorations are not permitted on the pall.

If the cremated remains of the deceased are to be present in an urn, notice must be given to the Sexton as early as possible in order to ensure that a suitable covering may be found.

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All checks should be made out to the correct party as indicated below. Please send the information form and the reservation fee to the Church in order to confirm your reservation. Your cancelled check will be your receipt. Honoraria are paid not to the University but directly to the person involved, and must be paid no later than one week prior to the service.

No fees or honoraria are charged for services for students who were enrolled in the University at the time of death.

For services sponsored by University Departments

Often a University department chooses to sponsor all or part of a funeral or memorial service for a student or a member of the faculty or staff. The Church fee and service program may be paid by interdepartmental invoice. However, the honoraria must be processed by extra compensation. If your department wishes to sponsor all or part of a service, please indicate this on the information form. In addition, please remember to include your complete office or department billing code information. For your convenience, the Church office will forward completed forms for your signature directly to your office.

FEES

Fee for the Church or Appleton Chapel – $200
Make check payable to Harvard University

PROGRAMS

Programs may be done in-house by the Communications Office or done by an outside source. Fees for a program provided by the Church office:

For the first 100 – $75
For each additional 100 – $25
Fee for a recording of the service – $10

HONORARIA

The Minister
Honorarium for an officiant on The Memorial Church staff – $500
Make check payable directly to the clergy person, by name.

The Organist
Fee for a University Organist – $300
Additional fee per rehearsal with instrumentalist or singer – $25
Make check payable directly to the Organist, by name.

The Sexton
Fee for the Sexton – $300
Make check payable to Richard Campbell.

Others
Fees for soloists and instrumentalists are arranged on an individual basis by the couple. The same is true of honoraria for clergy not on the staff of The Memorial Church.

Thank-Offerings and Contributions

Persons wishing to make thank-offerings and contributions to The Memorial Church, in addition to the fees and honoraria, are welcome to do so. Contributions are tax deductible.

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Receptions
The Memorial Church has no facilities for receptions or receiving lines.

Parking for Guests
The Memorial Church has no provision for guest parking. Those planning the service must arrange in advance for parking through the Harvard University Parking Office. All matters regarding parking are negotiated solely between the Parking Office and the service planners. Arrangements for guest parking must be made in writing at least one week before the service. Please direct all questions and correspondence to:

Harvard University Parking Office
46 Blackstone Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
617-495-3772 (Monday through Friday)
Fax: 617-495-9119

Harvard Yard Access and Parking
Vehicular access to Harvard Yard is strictly limited. The Memorial Church ensures access for four cars to the Yard for the service only. Access to the Yard is through a guard posted at the Johnston Gate or the Widener Library Gate on Massachusetts Avenue, depending on the day of the week and the time of day. All parking and access arrangements should be made with the Sexton at 617-496-3195.

Wheelchair Access
There is a wheelchair-accessible entrance on the north side of the Church, facing Canaday Hall. An elevator is available. Please inform the Sexton in advance if special arrangements are necessary.

Deliveries
Deliveries requiring vehicular access should be confirmed with Harvard Yard Operations at 617-496-5375. All deliveries are made through the Johnston Gate or the Widener Library Gate on Massachusetts Avenue, depending on the day of the week and the time of day.

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Directory

The Memorial Church	617-495-5508
Harvard University	Fax: 617-496-9166
Cambridge, MA 02138
Richard Campbell	617-496-3195
Sexton in The Memorial Church
Office Hours: Wednesday – Saturday
Carson P. Cooman	617-496-9425
Research Associate in Music
For initial contact about music
Harvard Chaplains	617-495-5529
Parking
Harvard University Parking Office	Weekdays: 617-495-3772
46 Blackstone Street	Fax: 617-495-9119
Cambridge, MA 02138
Police
Harvard University Police	617-495-1212
1033 Massachusetts Avenue	Fax: 617-495-7782
Cambridge, MA 02138
Suggestions for Receptions/Catering
Harvard Faculty Club	617-495-5758
20 Quincy Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
Loeb House	617-495-3326
Marie Forbes, Functions Manager
17 Quincy Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
Peasant Stock Catering	617-628-5707
Gerald Pierce
58 Sycamore Street
Somerville, MA 02145
Suggestions for Florists
Brattle Square Florist	617-876-9839
31 Brattle Street
Cambridge, MA 02138
The Celebrated Flower	617-661-0400
11 Miller Street
Somerville, MA 02140
Petali Fresh Flowers	617-492-3600
1350 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02138
Winston Flowers	617-541-1100
1331 Newbury Street
Boston, MA 02116

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