This section summarizes instructions on Church meetings. It describes
(1) meetings that include a full congregation, (2) leader****p meetings
primarily for stake presidencies and bishoprics, and (3) funerals.
Meetings that include leaders of more than one organization are
described on pages 315-19 in Book 2.
Meetings that are specific to an organization, such as quorum, Relief
Society, Young Men, Young Women, Primary, Sunday School, and stake
mission meetings, are described in that organization's section of Book
2.
In addition to the meetings outlined in the handbooks, presiding
authorities occasionally may call other meetings and define their
composition and purpose.
Doctrines Relating to Church Meetings
The Savior has commanded His people to meet together often (see Mosiah
18:25; 3 Nephi 18:22). He promised, "Where two or three are gathered
together in my name, there am I in the midst of them" (Matthew
18:20).
Church meetings are held to wor****p, pray, renew covenants, perform
ordinances, teach and exhort, sing, conduct business, and strengthen
associations as brothers and sisters in the gospel.
One of the most im****tant meetings is sacrament meeting (see D&C
59:9). The scriptures also speak of conferences and other public
meetings (see D&C 20:61; 46:3). Regular Sunday meetings and
conferences of the Church are open to members and nonmembers (see 3
Nephi 18:22; D&C 46:3-5).
General Guidelines
Leaders plan and conduct meetings "as they are led by the Holy Ghost,
according to the commandments and revelations of God" (D&C 20:45; see
also D&C 46:2; Moroni 6:9). They should use an agenda to help them
focus on the meeting's purposes and use time effectively, but they
should remain open to promptings of the Holy Ghost and comments of
those in attendance. Meetings should not be longer than needed.
General guidelines for planning and conducting meetings are provided
on pages 314-15 in Book 2.
Principles of Effective Church Council and Committee Meetings
When councils or committees meet, the presiding officer outlines the
matters being discussed, then invites ideas and suggestions from
others. He helps others participate fully in the discussions,
decisions, and plans. He considers their suggestions carefully in
making plans and giving assignments.
Council and committee meetings should focus on accompli****ng the
mission of the Church and planning how to strengthen individuals and
families. Time spent on calendaring and other administrative business
should be minimal.
General Meetings
General Conference
General conferences are held in April and October to refresh and renew
the faith of members, to instruct and edify, and to conduct Church
business.
General Relief Society Meeting
General Young Women Meeting
A general Relief Society meeting is held each year for Relief Society
sisters. A general Young Women meeting is held each year for young
women ages 12 through 17, their mothers, and their leaders.
Area Meetings
Area Council Meeting
Area Presidencies may hold area council meetings periodically to
instruct Area Authority Seventies and others as invited. These
meetings are also used to correlate, plan, and resolve matters
affecting an area. Agenda items include discussions on missionary
work, spiritual and tem****al welfare, and temple and family history
work.
Regional Welfare Committee Meeting
Area Presidencies organize a regional welfare committee for each
welfare region. Each committee consists of all stake presidents, all
chairmen of stake bishops' welfare councils, and all stake Relief
Society presidents in the welfare region. The Area Presidency appoints
one stake president to be chairman of the committee.
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This committee meets at least twice each year to teach and inspire
leaders in their welfare responsibilities and to implement
instructions from the Area Presidency. Committee members also
coordinate welfare activities, such as balancing donated labor
assignments among stakes and planning responses to emergencies. Other
matters to discuss may include fostering self-reliance, caring for the
needy, and encouraging fast-offering donations. Committee members also
re****t on local welfare projects and review the services of Church
welfare operations (where they exist).
Where travel is difficult or long, the Area Presidency may ask fewer
stake bishops' welfare council chairmen and stake Relief Society
presidents to attend this meeting.
The Area Presidency appoints a regional welfare agent for each
regional welfare committee. He should hold the Melchizedek Priesthood
and have welfare experience (see page 259 in Book 2). He is the
executive secretary of the committee and re****ts to the stake
president who is chairman.
Regional Conference
Regional conferences of stakes in an area are held periodically to
refresh the faith of members and to instruct and edify. These
conferences include stakes selected by the Office of the Quorum of the
Twelve. General Authorities preside over and conduct these
conferences.
Stake Meetings
The stake president oversees stake meetings. He presides at these
meetings unless a General Authority or Area Authority Seventy attends.
His counselors may conduct stake meetings and may preside if he is
absent. Stake meetings should not conflict with Sunday ward meetings.
Stake Conference
Each stake holds two stake conferences during the year as scheduled by
the President of the Quorum of the Twelve. In most parts of the world,
the stake president presides at one stake conference and an assigned
General Authority or Area Authority Seventy presides at the other. In
years when a stake attends a regional conference, that conference
takes the place of the stake conference at which a General Authority
or Area Authority Seventy would have presided.
The primary purpose of stake conference is to help the Saints build
faith and testimony. All talks and music should be planned with this
purpose in mind.
Another purpose is to conduct stake business. During the first stake
conference each year, a member of the stake presidency presents
general, area, and stake officers to be sustained, using the Officers
Sustained (Stake) form. He also presents the names of stake officers
who have been released so the congregation can give an expression of
thanks for their service.
Stake officers who are called or released after the first stake
conference should be presented for a sustaining vote or an expression
of thanks in the second stake conference unless this has been done in
ward sacrament meetings as outlined on page 39. Brethren who have been
recommended for ordination to the offices of elder and high priest are
presented for a sustaining vote in either stake conference. For
instructions, see pages 31 and 38-39.
Each stake conference normally includes the following meetings:
1. A meeting of the General Authority or Area Authority Seventy (if
assigned), stake presidency, stake executive secretary, and stake
clerk.
2. A priesthood leader****p meeting, including the General Authority or
Area Authority Seventy (if assigned); stake presidency; high council;
stake executive secretary; stake clerk (and assistant clerks as
needed); stake mission presidency; stake Young Men presidency (and
secretary as needed); bishoprics; ward executive secretaries; ward
clerks (and assistant clerks as needed); high priests group leaders,
assistants, and secretaries; elders quorum presidencies and
secretaries; ward mission leaders; and ward Young Men presidencies
(and secretaries and assistant advisers as needed).
3. A combined stake and ward council leader****p training meeting. This
meeting normally is held on Saturday evening. Depending on local
cir***stances, it may be held on Sunday if approved by the presiding
authority.
All members of stake and ward councils should attend this meeting.
Assistants in high priests groups, counselors in elders quorum
presidencies, and counselors in stake and ward auxiliary presidencies
may also be invited to attend.
This is a leader****p training meeting, not a council meeting.
Instruction is under the direction of the presiding authority. When a
General Authority or
Area Authority Seventy will preside, the stake president normally may
suggest topics to him. When the stake president will preside, he and
his counselors select topics.
4. A general session held on Sunday for all members and interested
nonmembers. Temple presidents, stake patriarchs, and full-time mission
presidents or their representatives who attend should sit on the
stand. More than one Sunday general session may be held if facilities
are not adequate to seat everyone in the same session. Primary
children attend this session with their families, not in a separate
meeting.
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Planning and Conducting Stake Conference
The presiding officer directs all conference planning He approves all
conference participants and all musical selections well before the
conference weekend.
The stake president conducts the Sunday general session. His
counselors may conduct other conference meetings.
The stake president speaks in the Sunday general session of the
conference. His counselors speak in conference sessions as determined
by the presiding authority.
Planning includes making arrangements for adequate seating, ushering,
and parking. Stake leaders may assign priesthood quorums and groups,
including prospective elders, to provide these services.
Music for Stake Conference
See pages 289-91 in Book 2.
Stake General Priesthood Meeting
The stake presidency convenes a stake general priesthood meeting twice
a year, once in each half. All Aaronic and Melchizedek Priesthood
holders in the stake are to attend.
The stake presidency uses these meetings to instruct and inspire
priesthood holders. The presidency prayerfully selects the themes for
these meetings to meet the needs of those who attend.
In these meetings the stake presidency also conducts stake priesthood
business, such as:
1. Presenting to be sustained the names of brethren who have been
recommended for ordination to the offices of elder and high priest
(see page 31).
2. Presenting to be sustained the names of newly called stake officers
(see the Chart of Callings, pages 40-42, for guidelines about who is
to be presented for this vote).
Stake Priesthood Leader****p Meeting
See page 315 in Book 2.
Stake High Priests Quorum Meeting
See page 167 in Book 2.
Stake Presidency Meeting
The stake presidency meets weekly. The stake executive secretary and
stake clerk attend; the clerk records minutes. The stake president may
invite others to attend as needed.
During this meeting, members of the stake presidency consider all
matters affecting the stake. They also plan how to strengthen
individuals and families. They evaluate wards, high priests groups,
elders quorums, the stake mission, auxiliaries, programs, and
activities. They also make plans to implement instructions from the
scriptures, Church leaders, and handbooks.
During this meeting, members of the stake presidency identify members
to call to Church positions (see pages 37-38). They also review
bishops' recommendations of members to serve missions and of brethren
to be ordained elders or high priests.
Other agenda items for this meeting could include re****ting on
assignments, planning meetings, reviewing the stake calendar, and
reviewing the stake budget.
Stake Priesthood Executive Committee Meeting
See page 315 in Book 2.
Stake Council Meeting
See page 315 in Book 2.
Stake Welfare Committee Meeting
See pages 315-16 in Book 2.
Stake Melchizedek Priesthood Committee Meeting
See page 316 in Book 2.
Stake Aaronic Priesthood Committee Meeting
See page 316 in Book 2.
Stake Aaronic Priesthood-Young Women Committee Meeting
See page 316 in Book 2.
Page 53
Meeting with Bishoprics
The stake presidency meets regularly with bishoprics to instruct them
and to review directions and policies. The stake presidency, all
bishoprics, the stake executive secretary, and the stake clerk attend
this meeting. If desired, the stake president may limit the meeting to
bishops only.
Stake Bishops' Welfare Council Meeting
The stake bishops' welfare council is composed of all bishops in the
stake. The stake president appoints one bishop to be chairman of the
council. In consultation with the stake president, the chairman
arranges meetings, prepares agendas, leads discussions, and arranges
for instruction. The stake president attends council meetings
occasionally to give instruction. The stake bishops' welfare council
does not make policy. Rather, it refers policy matters to the stake
president.
The council meets at least quarterly. During these meetings, council
members receive instruction in welfare matters. They also exchange
ideas and experiences relating to their welfare responsibilities.
Matters for discussion could include trends in fast-offering
contributions, welfare needs, and welfare assistance. Council members
could also identify work op****tunities for members who receive welfare
assistance. In addition, they could discuss ways for priesthood
quorums and the Relief Society to help meet welfare needs in the
stake. They also could identify agencies and services in the community
that could be used to assist members.
In areas where there are Church welfare operations, such as Deseret
Industries or commodity production projects, the stake bishops'
welfare council evaluates the services and management of the
operations.
If the stake president has assigned one bishop to oversee assistance
to transients, council members could discuss how to coordinate this
assistance.
Stake Committee for Single Members Meeting
See page 316 in Book 2.
Stake Public Affairs Council Meeting
See page 317 in Book 2.
Ward Meetings
The bishop oversees ward meetings. He presides at these meetings
unless a member of the stake presidency, a General Authority, or an
Area Authority Seventy attends. His counselors may conduct ward
meetings and may preside if he is absent. Presiding authorities should
be invited to sit on the stand.
Schedule for Sunday Meetings
Sunday meetings provide vitally im****tant time for members to partake
of the sacrament, wor****p, learn the gospel, learn their duties, and
give service. Wards are to hold the following Sunday meetings in one
three-hour period (for meeting schedule options, see the "Sunday
Meeting Schedules" chart on page 64):
1. Sacrament meeting (for all members and interested nonmembers)
2. Priesthood meeting (for all priesthood holders, prospective elders,
and unordained young men of Aaronic Priesthood age; see page 56)
3. Relief Society (for all women ages 18 and older and for younger
women who are married)
4. Young Women (for young women ages 12 through 17)
5. Primary (for children ages 3 through 11; also for children ages 18
months through 2 years if a nursery is organized and parents want
their children to attend)
6. Sunday School (for those ages 12 and older)
Sacrament Meeting
Purposes of Sacrament Meeting
Each sacrament meeting should be a spiritual experience in which
members of the Church renew their baptismal covenants by partaking of
the sacrament. Other purposes of sacrament meeting are to wor****p,
receive gospel instruction, perform ordinances, conduct ward business,
and strengthen members spiritually.
Planning and Conducting Sacrament Meeting
Members of the bishopric plan sacrament meetings and conduct them in a
reverent and dignified manner. They oversee the administration of the
sacrament, select topics for talks and music, select and orient
participants, and invite members to give opening and closing prayers.
Page 54
A sample sacrament meeting agenda follows:
1. Prelude music
2. Greeting and welcome
3. Acknowledgment of presiding authorities or visiting high councilors
who are attending
4. Announcements (if possible, most announcements should be printed so
they do not take time in sacrament meeting; the bishopric may give
essential announcements briefly before the opening hymn)
5. Opening hymn and prayer
6. Ward business, such as:
a. Sustaining and releasing ward officers and teachers (see pages
38-39)
b. Recognizing children who advance from Primary (see page 231 in Book
2)
c. Presenting names of brethren to receive or advance in the Aaronic
Priesthood (see page 32)
d. Presenting the Duty to God Recognition and the Young Womanhood
Recognition (see pages 190 and 227 in Book 2)
e. Presenting names of new ward members (see page 127)
7. Naming and blessing children (fast and testimony meeting) and
performing confirmations
8. Sacrament hymn and administration of the sacrament
9. Gospel messages, congregational singing, and special musical
selections
10. Closing hymn and prayer
11. Postlude music
The bishopric ensures that sacrament meetings begin and end on time
and are not overprogrammed. The bishopric and the speakers should be
in their seats at least five minutes before the meeting begins.
The bishopric encourages families to arrive on time and sit together.
Members should be reverent before and during sacrament meeting.
Blessing and Passing the Sacrament
The bishopric ensures that the sacrament is blessed and passed in a
reverent and orderly manner. The sacrament table should be prepared
before the meeting begins. Instructions for preparing, blessing, and
passing the sacrament are on pages 29-30.
Selecting Topics for Talks and Music
The bishopric selects topics for talks and music in sacrament
meetings. Talks and music should focus on gospel subjects that ward
members most need to build faith and testimony.
Selecting and Orienting Participants
Selecting Participants. The bishopric selects members to participate
in sacrament meetings. Most op****tunities to participate should be
given to ward members. If the bishopric invites members from outside
the ward to speak, the guidelines on page 151 should be followed.
Members of the bishopric regularly invite youth ages 12 through 17 to
speak in sacrament meeting. Youth should speak briefly (five minutes
each) on assigned gospel subjects. They should prepare their own
talks, though the bishopric may encourage parents to help. In
addition, the bishopric may call a speech specialist to help youth
learn to prepare talks and speak in public. The speech specialist is a
member of the activities committee.
Missionaries are normally invited to speak in a sacrament meeting just
before they depart and when they return (see pages 84 and 87-88). The
bishopric plans these meetings.
The bishopric schedules high councilors to speak as assigned by the
stake president (usually once each month, though the stake president
may adjust the frequency of such assignments according to the needs of
the ward).
The bishopric schedules one sacrament meeting each year for the
Primary children to take part in a Primary program (see page 237 in
Book 2).
Occasionally the bishopric may invite the full-time missionaries who
are serving in the area to speak.
Bishoprics may not turn sacrament meetings over to auxiliaries or
outside musical groups' However auxiliaries may be invited to
participate in the meeting under the bishopric's direction.
Orienting Participants. Members of the bishopric orient sacrament
meeting participants. They review the purposes of sacrament meeting
and explain that all talks and music should be in harmony with the
sacred nature of the sacrament.
When inviting members to speak, a member of the bishopric explains
clearly the topic and the length of time the person should speak. He
counsels speakers to teach the doctrines of the gospel, relate faith-
promoting experiences, bear witness of divinely revealed truths, and
use the scriptures (see D&C 42:12; 52:9). Speakers should teach in a
spirit of love after prayerful preparation. They should not speak on
subjects that are speculative, controversial, or out of harmony with
Church doctrine.
Page 55
Members who participate in sacrament meeting should stay until the
meeting ends.
Music
The bishopric selects or approves music for sacrament meetings. Music
and musical texts are to be sacred, dignified, and otherwise suitable
for sacrament meeting. Guidelines for determining whether music is
appropriate are provided on pages 289-90 in Book 2.
Audiovisual Materials
Audiovisual materials such as prerecorded music, videocassettes,
filmstrips. and slides should not be used in sacrament meeting. An
exception may be made to use appropriate recorded accompaniment if a
piano, organ, or accompanist is not available.
Sacrament Service in Unusual Situations
Every member needs the spiritual blessings that come from partaking of
the sacrament. Occasionally members may be unable to attend sacrament
meeting because they are confined to a home, nursing home, or
hospital. The bishop may assign priesthood holders to prepare, bless,
and pass the sacrament to these members.
Occasionally members may be unable to attend sacrament meeting because
of distance to the meetinghouse. Under unusual cir***stances, the
bishop may give authorization for a sacrament service to be held away
from the meetinghouse. The priesthood holder whom the bishop
authorizes to conduct the service must be a priest in the Aaronic
Priesthood or hold the Melchizedek Priesthood. He also must be worthy
to bless and pass the sacrament. The bishop's authorization is also
required if the service will be attended by members of more than one
family. The priesthood holder who directs the service re****ts to the
bishop when the service has been held.
When members are traveling or tem****arily residing away from their
home wards, they should make a sincere effort to attend sacrament
meeting and other Sunday meetings in a ward or branch of the Church.
Sacrament services should not be held in conjunction with family
reunions or other outings.
Fast and Testimony Meeting
One Sunday a month, usually the first Sunday, sacrament meeting is a
fast and testimony meeting. Under the bishop's direction, children may
be named and blessed and confirmations may be performed before the
sacrament is blessed and passed.
After the sacrament, the bishopric member who is conducting bears a
brief testimony. He then invites members to bear brief, heartfelt
testimonies and to relate faith-promoting experiences.
Priesthood Meeting Opening Exercises
All priesthood holders attend brief opening exercises together before
separating for their quorum or group meetings. A member of the
bishopric conducts. Opening exercises should include an opening hymn
and prayer. They also may include priesthood business, instruction,
brief announcements, introduction of new members, additional hymns,
and special musical selections.
The elders quorum president and high priests group leader sit with the
bishopric during opening exercises.
Priesthood Quorum and Group Meetings
After opening exercises, priesthood quorums and groups meet to conduct
business, learn priesthood duties, and study the gospel. Bishopric
members normally attend Aaronic Priesthood quorum meetings, though
occasionally they attend Young Women cl*****. Sometimes they may
combine the elders quorum and high priests group, Aaronic Priesthood
quorums, or all priesthood holders for instruction during this time.
For more information about these meetings, see pages 167-68 and 184-85
in Book 2.
Young Men Meetings
See pages 183-84 in Book 2.
Relief Society Meetings
See pages 200-202 in Book 2.
Young Women Meetings
See pages 219-21 in Book 2.
Primary Meetings
See pages 233-35 in Book 2.
Sunday School Meetings
See page 243 in Book 2.
Page 56
Ward Conference
The stake presidency schedules and directs a ward conference once a
year in each ward. Members of the stake presidency, high council, and
stake auxiliaries take part in ward conference sessions as the stake
president directs. The purposes of ward conference are to refresh the
faith of ward members, provide instruction, conduct business, and
evaluate activity.
The main session of ward conference is held during sacrament meeting.
Normally the agenda for this sacrament meeting is similar to that of
others. The stake president presides, and the stake presidency usually
plans the meeting. A member of the bishopric usually conducts. Before
the sacrament, a member of the stake presidency or a designated
priesthood officer uses the Officers Sustained form (prepared by a
ward clerk) to present the names of Church officers to ward members
for their sustaining vote. After the sacrament, speakers normally
include the bishop and stake president.
The ward usually holds regular priesthood and auxiliary meetings as
part of ward conference. Stake leaders may give instruction and
assistance during these meetings.
In connection with ward conference, the stake presidency meets with
the bishopric to review the status of individuals and organizations in
the ward and to plan for improvement. This meeting need not be held on
ward conference Sunday.
Bishopric Meeting
The bishopric usually meets at least weekly. The ward executive
secretary and ward clerk attend; the clerk records minutes. The bishop
may invite others to attend as needed.
During this meeting, members of the bishopric consider all matters
affecting the ward. They also plan how to strengthen individuals and
families, especially young men and young women, the needy and the
aged, unordained brethren, single parents, and children. They evaluate
quorums, auxiliaries, programs, and activities. They also make plans
to implement instructions from the scriptures, Church leaders, and
handbooks.
During this meeting, members of the bishopric identify members to call
to serve in the ward. They also identify which members are coming of
age to be eligible for ordinances, including priesthood ordinations.
In addition, they identify whom to recommend to the stake president to
be ordained elders and high priests and to serve as missionaries.
Other agenda items for this meeting could include re****ting on
assignments, discussing how to improve gospel teaching and learning,
planning meetings, reviewing the ward calendar, and reviewing the ward
budget.
Ward Priesthood Executive Committee Meeting
See page 317 in Book 2.
Ward Council Meeting
See pages 317-18 in Book 2.
Ward Welfare Committee Meeting
See page 318 in Book 2.
Ward Aaronic Priesthood Committee Meeting
See page 318 in Book 2.
Bishopric Youth Committee Meeting
See pages 318-19 in Book 2.
Ward Committee for Single Members Meeting
See page 319 in Book 2.
Teacher Improvement Meeting
See page 319 in Book 2.
Funerals
Preparation
When a Church member dies, the bishop visits the family to comfort
them and offer assistance from the ward. He may ask his counselors to
accompany him. The bishop offers help in notifying relatives, friends,
and associates of the death. He also offers help in planning the
funeral service, preparing a suitable obituary, and notifying
newspapers of the death. In addition, he may offer to help make
mortuary and cemetery arrangements according to local laws and
customs. As needed, he may offer help from the ward in providing local
trans****tation for the family and for the body of the deceased.
Page 57
The bishop notifies the Melchizedek Priesthood leader who is
responsible for the family so he and other brethren (including home
teachers) can assist the bereaved family. Such assistance could
include dressing the body of a deceased male for burial, safeguarding
the home during the funeral, and providing other sup****t.
The bishop also notifies the Relief Society president so she and other
sisters (including visiting teachers) can assist the family. Such
assistance could include dressing the body of a deceased female for
burial, helping with flowers, tending small children, safeguarding the
home during the funeral, and preparing meals (see pages 207-8 in Book
2).
Temple Burial Clothing
See page 70.
Preparation of the Meetinghouse
Priesthood leaders are responsible for seeing that the meetinghouse is
prepared for funerals. It should be open and available to funeral
directors at least one hour before the scheduled times for the viewing
and funeral. The meetinghouse needs to be clean and brought to
appropriate temperature and light levels. The sound system should be
activated and tested. Overflow chairs may need to be set up and
arranged. At a time when feelings are very sensitive, a well prepared
meetinghouse may be a source of comfort and consolation to family
members.
Funeral Services for Members
If a funeral for a member is held in a Church building, the bishop
conducts it. If it is held in a home, at a mortuary, or at the
graveside, the family may ask the bishop to conduct it. A funeral
conducted by the bishop, whether in a meetinghouse or in another
location, is a Church meeting and a religious service. It should be a
spiritual occasion in addition to a family gathering. The bishop
should urge members to maintain a spirit of reverence, dignity, and
solemnity during a funeral service and at gatherings connected with
funerals.
When a bishop conducts a funeral, he or one of his counselors oversees
the planning of the funeral. He considers the wishes of the family as
he works with them to plan the services. He ensures that the services
are simple and dignified, with music and brief addresses and sermons
centered on the gospel. Videocassettes and slides should not be used
as part of the service. For suggestions about music in funeral
services, see page 290 in Book 2.
If a viewing is held immediately before the funeral service, the
bishop should conclude it at least 20 minutes before the service
begins. The obituary should include the times when the viewing will
begin and end.
After the viewing, a family prayer may be offered if the family
desires. This prayer should conclude before the funeral is scheduled
to begin so it does not impose on the time of the congregation
assembled in the chapel. The casket should be closed before it is
moved to the chapel for the funeral service.
Funerals should start on time and, as a matter of courtesy to those
who attend, should not be too long. Funerals that last more than one
and one-half hours place an undue burden on those attending and
participating.
Funeral addresses and music should balance tributes with teaching the
gospel. Members of the family are not required to speak at funerals.
A member of the stake presidency, a General Authority, or an Area
Authority Seventy presides at funeral services he attends. The person
conducting should consult him in advance and recognize him during the
service. The presiding officer should be extended the op****tunity of
offering closing remarks if he desires.
Funeral services are not normally held on a Sunday.
If the bishop is not able to attend, he may assign one of his
counselors to conduct the funeral and graveside services.
Burial
At least one member of the bishopric should accompany the cortege to
the cemetery. If the grave is to be dedicated, the bishopric member,
after consulting with the family, asks a Melchizedek Priesthood holder
to do so according to instructions on page 34. If the family prefers,
a graveside prayer rather than a dedicatory prayer may be offered,
preferably by a Melchizedek Priesthood holder.
Financial Policies
Church members who conduct or take part in funeral services should not
accept fees or contributions, whether the service is for a member or a
nonmember.
In some cases, bishops can arrange with morticians to provide
respectable burial services at cost
when expenses are paid from Church fast-offering funds.
Page 58
Funeral Services for Nonmembers
Bishops may offer the use of Church meetinghouses for the funeral
services of nonmembers. Such services generally may be held in the
manner prescribed by the deceased person's church. However, rituals of
other churches or of outside organizations may not be performed in a
Church meetinghouse. If the family desires, the service may be
conducted by a clergyman of the person's church, provided it is
dignified and appropriate.
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