Dear godfather
What you showed me will stay with me for a lifetime.
Do you have any questions?
Are you asking a personal question?
The portal bestatter.ch answers all your questions about funerals and funeral provisions.
Priest / funeral orator
There is no requirement to have a minister or funeral speaker. However, it is advisable for a funeral service, a burial or a burial in the ground to have someone who creates a dignified setting, ensures the process and commemorates with words.
Someone in the family may want to do it, but the rule is that a minister or funeral speaker will do it.
Depending on the church affiliation, the pastor of the place of residence is responsible and happy to discuss and conduct the farewell with the relatives. A non-religious send-off may be conducted with a neutral funeral speaker.
A funeral home will inform them and usually take care of the coordination as well as the organization.
Find the right funeral director
The Swiss funeral portal.
Left the church – may we hold the funeral service in a church?
This question cannot be answered unambiguously and universally for the whole of Switzerland. Some churches allow it but require payment for it and other church would rather not. Here the corresponding church, resp. their representatives are addressed.
In some churches it is also possible for another religion to conduct a funeral service in it. Here, too, it is important to ask and to inquire about the possibilities and possible costs.
Does a pastor cost?
If someone is a member of a national church, then, as a rule, the accompaniment of a pastor is free of charge.
Pastor
Often the assistance and accompaniment of a pastor is desired. A pastor is there for a family and for relatives and accompanies them. During a funeral service and/or during a burial or interment, the minister will offer a prayer service.
Depending on the church affiliation, the pastor of the place of residence is responsible and happy to discuss and conduct the farewell with the relatives. A non-religious send-off may be conducted with a neutral funeral speaker.
Can a family member also give a devotion?
Of course, everyone is allowed to speak and lead through the farewell. Very often, a funeral service includes speeches given by relatives, by colleagues at work, by members of associations, etc.
It is also conceivable that a family member will arrange the entire funeral service and deliver the prayer service.
It should be remembered that relatives are struggling with emotions and therefore are not able to give a devotion. However, experience has shown that individuals are aware of this and can make a conscious decision whether or not to take on these tasks.
Funeral speaker or funeral orator: what is it?
If someone has left the church or if someone does not want a pastor for the funeral or memorial service for a specific reason, then other people may be called in. There are funeral orators and funeral speakers. These individuals perform a funeral and/or memorial service on behalf of the next of kin.
The usual procedure is for the relatives to sit down with the funeral or eulogist. The procedure is discussed in the interview. It is discussed whether musical accompaniment, rituals, photos or a picture presentation are desired.
The deceased person has left the church – what now?
If someone has left a member of a national church, then, as a rule, the accompaniment of a pastor is no longer free. The argument is that this has saved church taxes and would be justified to pay for the accompaniment of a pastor. How it behaves in the concrete case, is to be discussed necessarily with a church representative, because depending on the situation the circumstances are differently evaluated.
Accompaniment by a pastor: is it obligatory?
There is no obligation to conduct the farewell with a pastor. There is probably a reason why someone is a member of a church or faith community, and therefore it is desirable to have a pastor accompany them on their final journey.
Is a funeral speaker expensive?
The cost varies depending on the person and the time spent. Relatives may inquire about costs. It is usually the case that a funeral speaker charges by the hour. In some cases, standard rates are also available.
Are there rules about who can give a devotion?
Those who wish to be accompanied by a religiously neutral person choose a funeral speaker. However, it is also conceivable that someone else will take care of the process and be there for the deceased person and for the relatives with a eulogy during the farewell.
There is no requirement to have a minister or funeral speaker. However, it is advisable for a funeral service, a burial or a burial in the ground to have someone who creates a dignified setting, ensures the process and commemorates with words.
Someone in the family may want to do it, but the rule is that a minister or funeral speaker will do it.
A funeral home will inform them and usually take care of the coordination as well as the organization.