With two beautiful, well-appointed auditoriums and a number of compassionate and well-qualified ministers and lay ministers, First Unitarian Society is able to assist members and non-members alike in planning and scheduling end of life celebrations in the facility. We make it a practice to honor outside requests for funerals and memorial services when space and adequate staffing are available. An initial conversation with one of the ministerial staff is required before space will be reserved for such an event, and normally it is expected that either they or a minister they designate will collaborate in its planning.

Because the Society’s auditoriums and large gathering spaces are heavily used, it isn’t always possible to arrange for a memorial service or funeral on short notice. Thus, we seldom can accommodate families who wish to hold such ceremonies within days of a loved one’s death. Quite often suitable spaces will not be available for two to four weeks after a request is made.

Memorial Services can only be scheduled at the Society on weekends (before or after regular worship services) and after 4:30 on weekday afternoons. Daytime services during the work week are not permitted because of a severe shortage of on-site parking spaces.

Although contributing members of First Unitarian Society pay only a modest administrative fee for using the facility ($100.00), typical space-use fees do normally apply to non-members ($950.00 for either of the two Auditoriums, which includes clergy fees) with an additional charge for reception space. First Unitarian Society’s professional music staff is often willing to offer their services, or they can suggest other performers for memorial services. Typical honorarium for a pianist or organist is $150.00. The Society does not provide catering but will recommend private caterers for a modest post-service reception