MEMORIAL SERVICE COORDINATOR (MSC) – February 2025

Position Overview
The Memorial Service Coordinator’s primary responsibility is coordinating memorial services and reception
details for Members and Friends of UUCC, which are not the minister’s or other officiant’s responsibilities. The
Memorial Service Coordinator will be a member of the Caring Committee.
DUTIES OF THE MINISTER AND THE MSC
Minister or Officiant
The Minister or other officiant performs the following duties:

• Meets with the family of the deceased to plan the service
• Leads the service
• Coordinates music with the musicians
• Select readings or poems with assistance from the family
• Works with any other speakers
• Requests pictures, slide shows, etc., for the service
• Coordinates with tech staff for streaming, sound, mics, etc.
• Plans the OOS and provides it to the Administrator for printing
• Instructs the MSC concerning special requests from the family

Memorial Service Coordinator
The following members and staff work with the MSC to coordinate memorial services:

o Minister or Officiant (see above)

o Administrator
▪ Consults the UUCC calendar for available service dates with the Officiant, MSC and
family
▪ Explains rental policy and collects rental fees
▪ Explains Memorial Garden inurnment procedures to the family
▪ Collects and processes all fees
▪ Advises Caring Committee of the date and time of the service
▪ Advises the Kitchen Committee Chair of the date the kitchen will be in use for the
reception
▪ Advises the Sexton of the service date

o Sexton
▪ Sets up the Social Hall for the reception
▪ Assists Tech with moving equipment and podium if necessary

o Membership Committee(greeters or ushers)
▪ MSC discusses plans with ushers to align with the family’s wishes for special seating,
receiving and dismissing attendees

o

o Tech Committee
▪ MSC collaborates with the officiant and the Chair of the Tech Committee to ensure all
details are addressed, such as sound, projector, screen, and podium placement.

o Committee Chairs involved or impacted by the service or reception
▪ MSC coordinates with any committee as needed

o Volunteers
o MSC recruits volunteers on a per-service basis from willing members or friends of the
congregation to assist with kitchen duties, food service, and clean up after reception.

2
MISCELLANEOUS DUTIES OF THE MSC
Expected Attendance and Desired Reception
• Anticipate the number of attendees at the service
• Understand the type of reception the family desires, advising them on what is typically provided. (UUCC
does not cover the expense for alcoholic beverages.)
• Coordinate with the Caring and Hospitality Committee to organize and host the memorial service
reception

The Family Room
• Arrange with the Administrator for a private room for the family of the deceased
Flowers
• Be available for discussions with the family regarding flower arrangements and display
• If a florist is involved, coordinate arrangements for their access to the building.
• Inquire about the family’s plans for flowers after the service (donate to UUCC?)

Guest Book and Memorabilia
• Inquire if the family requires a guest book, ensuring it is in place before the service.
• Decide where the guest book will be positioned.
• Discuss the family’s wishes regarding the display of pictures or memorabilia in the Social Hall.

Ushers and Seating
• Reach out to the Membership Chair to organize ushers or greeters.
• Ensure reserved seating for the family.
• Coordinate ushering plans with ushers to align with the family’s preferences for greeting and dismissing
attendees.

Social Hall Set-up
• Arrange for the Social Hall table setup with the Sexton as soon as the service date is available
• Create a diagram for Social Hall table placement to be shared with the Sexton
• Cover tables with white cloths and clear plastic covers per the family’s agreement (refer to the Rental
Agreement for tablecloth use).
• Prepare a diagram for food placement on the tables.

Recommended by the LDC Committee and approved by the Board, February 28, 2025