SARON LUTHERAN CHURCH

NON-MEMBER WEDDING AND FUNERAL POLICY & GUIDELINES

(Passed by Saron Church Council April 23, 2006 / Amended Nov. 18, 2009 / Amended March 19, 2014)

FOR ALL WEDDINGS AND FUNERALS:

Music:
All music selections must be cleared with the pastor well ahead of the ceremony or rehearsal.

Order of Service:
The approved order of service for marriage/funeral of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America as found in
the Evangelical Lutheran Worship shall ordinarily be used at all weddings/funerals.

Clergy:
Any clergy participating in the non-member wedding/funeral should consider themselves guests of Saron
Lutheran church and abide by the supervision of this congregations pastor.

Church Furnishings:
There is to be no moving or tampering with church furniture in the sanctuary such as altar, lectern, etc. The
liturgical color of the altar cloths is not changed for weddings/funerals.

Organist:
You are responsible for securing an organist. The pastor has names and telephone numbers. If you use an
organist other than one of our church organists, we ask that you have the individual contact one of our regular
organists so that they may receive orientation in the use of our organ. Suggested fee for organist is listed below.

Janitors:
Janitors at Saron Lutheran Church are volunteers. They will come before the wedding/funeral at a mutually
convenient time to open the church and assist as they are able. The janitors will clean the church prior to and
following the ceremony. If the church is left a mess or there is excessive garbage, all or part of the damage
deposit may be kept to offset the additional time spent on cleaning.

Fees: (due in advance to the event)

$200 for Sanctuary
$100 for Pastor when he/she is to be involved in the wedding ceremony.
$100 damage deposit to be returned to renter after everything is determined satisfactory

Funerals :
A funeral director is required to coordinate and be present for any member or non-member funeral/memorial
service held at Saron Lutheran Church.

Cemetery Plot: $500 (These funds will be placed into the perpetual fund.)
Perpetual Cemetery Fee: $500 (Non-members, already having a plot reserved for them in the cemetery, will
still pay a $500 perpetual cemetery fee at the time of burial.)

The following are suggested fees. Please work out the details with the individuals. Funeral homes will also
assist in providing guidelines for fees.
$75 for organist
$75 for soloist

Rental availability, fees for the kitchen and Fellowship Hall, and fees for serving a lunch/meal at a funeral will be
determined by the WELCA. Please contact them for current rates.
WEDDINGS:
Pre-Marital Sessions:
Couples will be asked to meet with the pastor for pre-marital counseling.

Miscellaneous:
Throwing of rice is not allowed. You must use birdseed if you choose to follow this custom. Please do not give it
to your guests until after the ceremony, when it is going to be used outside. There should not be any inside the
church.

Alcoholic beverages are not to be used anywhere on the church premises, either outside or inside the
building; nor should members of the wedding party have been drinking prior to the wedding.

If candelabra are to be used, plastic sheets must be placed on the carpet to protect from dripping wax. You must
provide your own candles and remove them after the ceremony.

INACTIVE MEMBERS:
Inactive members of Saron Lutheran Church will pay of the current fees for use of the church and for
cemetery plots. ($100 for the use of the sanctuary, $250 for a plot and $250 perpetual cemetery fee.) Active
Members are defined as having communed at or made a donation to Saron Lutheran Church within
the last three years.