Memorial Services

Following the death of a loved one, University Unitarian Church is here to provide care and support to family and friends, and to lessen their burdens by assisting with the details of services in memory.  Memorial services are for church members and their families only.

Where To Start

The first step is to call the church office at (206) 525-8400 to inform the church of the death of a loved one.  You will be connected with a minister who will contact you to offer emotional support through this difficult time and begin the process of planning the service.  A member of our staff can check to see if the deceased has any memorial directions on file.

Elements of the Service

The minister will help you plan the content of the service. The service usually consists of opening words, favorite music, hymns and readings, a prayer, tributes by family or friends and a eulogy by the minister. Unitarian memorials allow for flexibility, so discuss your preferences with the minister so that the service is as meaningful as possible.

The church can also live-stream the service so friends and family that cannot attend in person may still participate.  A church staff member will provide the family with the link to the stream, which they can then pass on to friends and family.

The Memorial Reception

The Nathan Johnson Social Hall and kitchen are available for a reception following the memorial service. The Minister will contact the chair of the UUC’s Memorial Reception Committee who will then contact you to arrange details.  The Committee members will help you plan the reception. Receptions are usually informal rather than seated events, but chairs are placed for use around the hall.  Families typically set up displays of photographs or mementos of their loved ones. The church provides tables and table easels for this purpose.

The members of the Committee provide and serve coffee and cookies. If other finger food or catering is desired, the family or friends must provide it (as well as the clean-up), in coordination with the Memorial Committee.  Please contact the church office at (206) 525-8400 to arrange a time for caterers to view the facility before the reception.

Fees

The fee for a memorial service at UUC is $1,200.  The resources that are available to you for this fee include the following:

• the use of the sanctuary and social hall as well as a family room for up to four (4) hours
• the services of a UUC minister or community minister
• the services of the church pianist for music and hymns
• a technician for sound and media support
• the support of the Memorial Reception Committee

The Peter S. Raible Memorial Garden

The beautiful Peter S. Raible Memorial Garden, which was constructed in 2005, is a place for contemplation and remembering. The use of the interment services in the Memorial Garden is limited to congregation members of UUC or their immediate family members.  If you would like to honor your loved one in the Memorial Garden, you may have a 4” x 9” bronze plaque made and mounted permanently on the wall. In addition, you may inter their cremated ashes in the Garden’s communal receptacle. The cost for the plaque and interment is $500.

Be sure to discuss the use of the Memorial Garden with the Minister when planning the service, as the interment may take place directly after the service or at a different time, either privately or publicly, and the plaque will require at least six weeks to be completed.