Dying, Death and Grief

About the job

Dying, Death and Grief

Support in Grief - You have lost someone close to you. Saying goodbye is very painful. Grief and the new turning towards life need time – it is important to take this time.

The responsible pastor of your church community accompanies you during your time of grief and helps you organise the farewell ceremony.

The responsible pastor of your church community accompanies you during your time of grief and helps you organise the farewell ceremony.

What do I need to do?

When a close person has died, it means a difficult situation for the next of kin. You feel grief and pain, yet many things must be dealt with quickly. The first point of contact in Stäfa is the Funeral Department of the Municipality of Stäfa, in Hombrechtikon the Funeral Office Hombrechtikon.

» Assistance from the political municipality of Stäfa regarding deaths

» Assistance from the political municipality of Hombrechtikon regarding deaths

» Assistance from the political municipality of Stäfa regarding deaths

» Assistance from the political municipality of Hombrechtikon regarding deaths

Which pastor is responsible?

First contact the funeral office of your place of residence. There you will be informed in detail about the possible forms of burial and farewell. The funeral office also knows which pastor is "on duty" and responsible for the burial. They will gladly advise you on the next steps.

Grief conversation and day of the burial

You discuss the design of the funeral service with the responsible pastor. Usually, the life story of the deceased is read out or otherwise included in the service. Other personal elements that were important to the deceased can be incorporated.

Discuss your wishes and ideas with the pastor so that the funeral service corresponds to you and the deceased and helps you to say goodbye.

Saying goodbye – on the day of the burial

A painful walk - but not alone, rather in the community of God

Burials at the cemetery without a subsequent funeral service take place at 11:00.

If a service is held in the church, the burial takes place at 13:30.

This begins after the burial at 14:00 in the church. The front pews are reserved for relatives. In the funeral service, we want to remember the deceased with the life story.

In prayers, songs and the sermon, we want to share our hope: "I am absolutely certain that nothing can separate us from the love of God." (Romans 8:38)

Discuss your wishes and ideas with the pastor so that the funeral service corresponds to you and the deceased and helps you to say goodbye.

Saying goodbye – on the day of the burial

A painful walk - but not alone, rather in the community of God

Burials at the cemetery without a subsequent funeral service take place at 11:00.

If a service is held in the church, the burial takes place at 13:30.

This begins after the burial at 14:00 in the church. The front pews are reserved for relatives. In the funeral service, we want to remember the deceased with the life story.

In prayers, songs and the sermon, we want to share our hope: "I am absolutely certain that nothing can separate us from the love of God." (Romans 8:38)

Preparations for the event of death

It is not easy to think about one’s own death. It is also not simple to make concrete considerations about it.

For the bereaved, however, it is a great organisational help if practical matters are already fixed during the time of grief.

A written arrangement during one’s lifetime creates space for grief and farewell.

A detailed brochure from the regional church with assistance on this is available at our » secretariat.

Experience shows that it can be a great relief if we also make external arrangements in good time. Above all, the next of kin are very grateful if they know such wishes of a person close to them. These concern wishes that do not belong in a will, if a will has been made at all.

For the bereaved, however, it is a great organisational help if practical matters are already fixed during the time of grief.

A written arrangement during one’s lifetime creates space for grief and farewell.

A detailed brochure from the regional church with assistance on this is available at our » secretariat.

Experience shows that it can be a great relief if we also make external arrangements in good time. Above all, the next of kin are very grateful if they know such wishes of a person close to them. These concern wishes that do not belong in a will, if a will has been made at all.

And if the deceased has left the church?

We also accompany people who are not (or no longer) members of the Reformed Church on their last journey. This incurs costs for the church community, which are normally covered by church membership.

For non-members, a solidarity contribution usually applies, which benefits a social commitment of our church community:

If you cannot afford this amount, please contact us – together we will find a solution.

If the next of kin are members of the Reformed Church, the solidarity contribution can be waived.

For non-members, a solidarity contribution usually applies, which benefits a social commitment of our church community:

• Funeral service with burial and service (incl. room rental, work of pastor, sexton and organist): CHF 3000
• Burial at the grave (without subsequent service): CHF 1500

If you cannot afford this amount, please contact us – together we will find a solution.

If the next of kin are members of the Reformed Church, the solidarity contribution can be waived.