Funeral Planning

If you would like to inquire about funeral or memorial services at St. Matthew’s, please contact the church office (office@stmattsaustin.org or 512-345-8314) to arrange an appointment with our Rector, The Rev. Katie Leuba. The clergy of St. Matthew’s will officiate services in the church, in the Memorial Garden, at funeral homes, or at the graveside, however services in the church Sanctuary or Memorial Garden are preferred and recommended. (Read below for more instructions and details.)

“The liturgy for the dead is an Easter liturgy. It finds all its meaning in the resurrection. Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we, too, shall be raised.”

(Book of Common Prayer, p. 507)

In preparation for your meeting with Mother Katie, please review the Funeral Planning Form and complete it to the best of your ability. The form is available in 3 formats for your convenience: 

  1. Adobe Fillable PDF Form (best option for desktop or laptop users)
  2. Online JotForm (best option for phone or tablet users)
  3. Microsoft Word Document Format (if needed)

If while working on the form you are uncertain about a detail, please make your best guess (we can always change it). For the PDF or Word form versions, when done please save the file to your computer with your edits and then email it to Mother Katie (katie@stmattsaustin.org) and copy the Operations Manager, Lise Harding (lharding@stmattsaustin.org). For the online JotForm version, please simply press the “submit” button. Note, please also bring a printed copy of your completed form to your meeting with Mother Katie. 

When designing a funeral service, key considerations include:

  • Will the language be the modern Burial Rite II (BCP 491) or the Elizabethan era Burial Rite I (BCP 469)?
  • Will Holy Communion be offered?
  • Which readings, psalm, and hymns were favorites of the deceased or feel appropriate to celebrate their life?
  • A full service with communion typically includes:
    • an Old Testament reading
    • a Psalm reading
    • a New Testament reading
    • a Gospel reading, and
    • four hymns (opening, at the Gospel, at Communion, closing).
      (If there is no communion, fewer readings and hymns may be appropriate.)

Fee & Honorarium Guidance:

  • Clergy: No fee. If you wish to give an honorarium, customary amounts range from $100 to $500.
  • Organist: Fees range from $200 to $300. Once the exact organist is known, the fee will be set.
  • Cantor: Fees range from $100 to $250. Once the exact cantor is known, the fee will be set.
Checks for the above should be payable to the person by name and given on the day of the service.
  • Church Fees: For fees for Reception ($150), Flowers ($100), or AV Guild ($50) please make check out to “St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church” and bring/send to the church no later than the day of the service. If these fees create a hardship for the family, please consult with the clergy during your meeting.

Helpful Links