Evangelical Funeral as Immediate Family

Local variation

Evangelical and non-denominational funeral services vary by congregation. The specifics on this page describe what is common across Southern Baptist, non-denominational, and Pentecostal practice; the pastor at the church is the right source for the local custom.

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Evangelical funeral services are typically a single service that may be called a funeral, a memorial service, a celebration of life, or (particularly in African-American Pentecostal and Baptist traditions) a homegoing service. The naming varies; the content is similar.

The pastor at the church can confirm:

The available date and time for the service
The form and naming of the service (funeral, memorial, celebration of life, homegoing)
The participation of family members and friends as speakers
The music and the form of the gospel reflection
For Pentecostal congregations: the longer service format; the prominence of music and family witness

01 The first steps after the death

An evangelical or non-denominational funeral in US practice normally comes together within four to seven days of the death. The first calls are to the funeral home and (where the deceased has a home church) to the pastor. The funeral home handles the body and the logistical arrangements; the pastor handles the service.

Where the deceased did not have a home church, the funeral home commonly recommends a pastor available for the funeral; the family may also contact a church directly.

02 The form of the service

Evangelical funeral services may be called a funeral, a memorial service, a celebration of life, or (particularly in African-American Pentecostal and Baptist traditions) a homegoing service. The naming varies; the content overlaps. A typical evangelical funeral includes: an opening prayer or welcome by the pastor, music (hymns, contemporary worship songs, sometimes traditional gospel music in African-American traditions), scripture readings (commonly Psalm 23, John 14:1-6, 1 Corinthians 15, Revelation 21), eulogies from family members and friends, a gospel reflection or sermon by the pastor, and a closing prayer.

Pentecostal funerals are often longer and more music-driven, with extended congregational singing, an open-mic time for testimonies, prayer for the family by the pastor or the congregation, and a more sermon-driven service overall.

03 Planning the service

The family typically meets with the pastor a day or two before the funeral. The principal decisions: the order of service, the choice of scripture and music, the speakers and the order in which they will speak, the form of the gospel reflection, and any photographs or media to be shown. Custom-written tributes from family and friends are typical.

Many evangelical and Pentecostal pastors close the service with a brief gospel invitation; the family is normally consulted on this in advance.

04 Cremation and burial

Cremation is permitted across virtually all evangelical, Southern Baptist, non-denominational, and Pentecostal congregations. The body or the cremated remains may be present at the service. There is no specific theological objection to cremation in this tradition family. The cemetery or columbarium arrangements are handled by the funeral home.

05 Common questions

Is cremation permitted?

Yes. Cremation is permitted across virtually all evangelical, Southern Baptist, non-denominational, and Pentecostal congregations. The body or the cremated remains may be present at the service. There is no specific theological objection to cremation in this tradition family.

What is a homegoing service?

A homegoing service is a funeral or memorial service framed around the believer's transition to be with Christ in heaven. The term is particularly common in African-American Pentecostal and Baptist traditions and reflects a theological emphasis on the resurrection and on the dominant note of hope. The service includes the elements of a funeral (scripture, prayer, eulogy, gospel reflection) often with extended music and family witness; the framing emphasizes the going home rather than only the loss.

What is the difference between a funeral, a memorial service, and a celebration of life?

In evangelical and non-denominational practice the three terms are often used interchangeably; the content depends on the congregation and the family. A funeral typically has the body present; a memorial service often does not (used after a cremation or where the body has been buried separately); a celebration of life is sometimes more informal and emphasizes the life of the deceased. The form is set by the family and the pastor.

Does the service include the Lord’s Supper?

Most evangelical funerals do not include the Lord's Supper. Where the family requests it, the pastor may incorporate it; this is uncommon. The pastor is the source.

Will the pastor give a gospel invitation?

In many evangelical and Pentecostal funerals, the pastor closes the service with a brief invitation for those present to consider their own relationship with Christ. This is part of the content of an evangelical funeral; the family normally expects it. The form varies by pastor and tradition; the conversation with the pastor in advance is the source.

06 Pastoral and grief support

When to reach out

This site is informational. It is not pastoral care. The work of grieving and the work of arranging a funeral both involve conversations a website cannot have for you.

If you are arranging a funeral, the first conversation is with the pastor at the church or with the funeral home.

For ongoing grief support that does not reach crisis level, the pastor, the church community, and external grief support organizations can help. GriefShare and the National Alliance for Grieving Children operate widely available programs in the US. Most hospice organizations offer grief support to family members regardless of where the death occurred.

If grief becomes overwhelming, if you find yourself unable to sleep, eat, or function for an extended period, or if you have thoughts of harming yourself, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day in the United States. Call or text 988.

Before you finalize anything

Evangelical funeral arrangements normally come together within four to seven days. The pastor at the church is the first conversation; the funeral home is the second.

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The typical evangelical funeral arc:

Within hours of the death: contact the funeral home; contact the pastor at the church
Within a day or two: schedule the service; coordinate with the funeral home
A few days out: meet with the pastor to plan the service (order of service, scripture readings, music, speakers, the form of the gospel reflection)
The day of the service: the funeral or memorial at the church or funeral home; the burial or interment at the cemetery
The weeks and months after: ongoing pastoral support from the church community

Last reviewed against primary sources: May 17, 2026