Funeral Information

The staff of Divine Redeemer Lutheran Church & School are here for you in this time of mourning. As such, we will be responsible for creating and arranging the remainder of the service. Services will be finalized 3 business days before the funeral service. If requested information is not provided to Divine Redeemer by this time, the Divine Redeemer Pastor will choose readings and hymns on behalf of the family in order to print bulletins and notify appropriate participants for the sake of an orderly and respectful worship service. Although suggestions are welcomed in the service, a Divine Redeemer Pastor will ultimately be responsible for the content of the service.

Worship services at Divine Redeemer are entirely focused on Christ’s work. Each reading, hymn, and prayer is pointed toward the Jesus who worked to save this world as a whole and the decedent individually. He worked to ensure that baptism is a Gospel comfort. He worked to deliver forgiveness of sins daily to the person struggling through life. As such His work is solely highlighted during a worship service. “Eulogy” literally means “good words” – particularly about the person who has passed away. When a family or visitor worships at Divine Redeemer there can be no confusion where our focus should be: on Jesus, the Author of the faith which delivers believers from the power of death; as such, no eulogies occur during worship services at Divine Redeemer.

However, eulogies are a great opportunity as the family grieves together in their home. Additionally, the eulogy has a far more impactful use as the family meets together for meals before or after the services. Using a eulogy in this way allows the family to process the grief in an unhurried and natural way. But take heart, even though we grieve, we grieve with the hope of the resurrection firmly promised as St. Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14: But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.

1. Funerals will be added to the church calendar upon consultation with one of the pastors.
2. Families of Divine Redeemer have the freedom to choose the pastor they wish to conduct their funeral. If there is not a specific request, the assignment will be made by the Senior Pastor in consultation with the pastoral staff.
3. Clergy of other Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod churches may participate in funerals at Divine Redeemer with the approval of the pastor(s).
4. Non-member funerals will not be performed at Divine Redeemer unless approved by the Committee of Lay Eldership.
5. As a general rule, our church facilities will not be available for funerals not conducted by our pastors.

1. All music for any funeral service is to be approved by the Director of Music. Music which is consistent with Christian teachings may be used. If the music requested for the service does not meet the church’s standards, alternative selections are to be made.
2. The Director of Music from Divine Redeemer Lutheran Church, Heidi Graf, shall be the organist for all funerals unless she is unavailable or if there is a significant reason why any other organist should play. Approval by Heidi Graf is necessary before a guest musician may be used
3. It is the responsibility of the family to contact our Director of Music, Heidi Graf, at church at 262-367-8400, ext. 101 or on her cell at 414-380-1886 to establish a meeting time with her to discuss music for the service.