Funerals at St. Paul’s
Care in a time of loss. Hope in Jesus Christ.
When someone you love has died, we are here to help you honor their life, plan a service, and find support in your grief.
A place to begin
When someone has died
You do not have to make every decision at once. We will work through the arrangements with you, beginning with your family’s needs and any wishes the person has left.
Please notify the Cathedral office when a funeral is needed. The office will contact clergy, the Altar Guild, and others who help with the service. Arrangements are made with the Dean and/or other clergy.
If a funeral home is involved, let us know who is helping with the arrangements so we can coordinate the church service.
Share their story
Tell us about the person who has died, what mattered to them, and any wishes they recorded.
Talk through the arrangements
Agree on a date and the kind of service before finalizing other arrangements. We can explain the options and answer practical questions.
Prepare the service together
Choose readings, prayers, and music with clergy and the music staff. We will explain the order of service and how family and friends might take part.
The Episcopal funeral service
Remembering a life.
Entrusting someone to God.
The Christian Burial service in the Book of Common Prayer is the primary resource for funerals at St. Paul’s. An Episcopal funeral is Christian worship shaped by the resurrection of Jesus. We give thanks for the person who has died, entrust them to God’s care, and pray for those who mourn.
Christian hope makes room for sorrow. You do not have to set aside your grief or find the right words. Scripture, prayer, and the presence of others can help carry us when words are difficult.
- Scripture and prayer speak of God’s mercy and the hope of resurrection.
- Music gives voice to grief, thanksgiving, and hope.
- Holy Communion may be part of the service, celebrating our life together in Christ.
“Give rest, O Christ, to your servant with your saints, where sorrow and pain are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting.”Book of Common Prayer, p. 499
A gift to those you love
Planning ahead
Writing down your funeral wishes can spare those you love from having to guess what you would want. A few notes are a useful beginning; you do not need a finished plan.
Consider what you would like your family and clergy to know:
- Scripture readings or hymns that are meaningful to you.
- Your wishes for a funeral or memorial service.
- Any arrangements you have already made.
- Who should know where your plans are kept.
Share your wishes with your family and clergy, keep them somewhere accessible, and update them as circumstances change.
Practical questions
Questions about funerals
What if we are not members of St. Paul’s?
Funeral services at the Cathedral are available to members of St. Paul’s and members of other parishes in the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa. Services for others require special approval from the Dean or Bishop. Please contact the Cathedral office to discuss your circumstances and the next steps.
How can we choose readings, music, and family participation?
The Book of Common Prayer offers suggested Scripture readings. Bring meaningful readings or hymns to discuss with clergy and the music staff. If family or friends would like to read or offer a remembrance, clergy will help find an appropriate place in the service.
What about cremation or a memorial service?
Clergy can help plan a service with the body or cremated remains present, or a memorial service when neither is present, and coordinate it with burial arrangements.
What about St. Paul’s columbarium?
The columbarium provides niches for cremated remains for people with a meaningful connection to the Cathedral or Diocese of Iowa. Ask the office about eligibility, availability, costs, and committal arrangements.
What fees apply?
Facility use for funerals and related gatherings is free for members in good standing of St. Paul’s or parishes within the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa. Honoraria or other fees for staff or the Altar Guild may apply. For these funerals, the reservation fee is waived and Cathedral staff complete the facility-use paperwork. Ask the office about costs for your arrangements.
Can we arrange a reception?
For active members, the Altar Guild hosts a simple reception with coffee and cookies. Families arrange catering for luncheons or more formal receptions, in coordination with the Altar Guild.
Can we plan ahead or speak with clergy before a death?
Yes. Clergy offer support during illness and at the end of life, and can discuss funeral wishes in advance. Ask the office for Funeral Services at The Cathedral Church of Saint Paul, our guide to planning a service.
Talk with us
We are here to help.
Call the cathedral office for funeral arrangements or pastoral support. For planning ahead and other questions, you can also send an inquiry.
For time-sensitive arrangements, please call rather than using the inquiry form.815 High Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50309