Description of Duties

St. Simon Society volunteers serve in pairs (He sent us out in twos). They are identifiable to others by magnetic ID badges that say “Cathedral of the Incarnation.” Volunteer opportunities are set up to take from 1 to 3 hours. Detail needs are communicated for each event.

Visitation
When a family Visitation is held in the Fleming Center four to six people take shifts to handle set up and the last doing clean up.

The Set Up shift starts 30-45 minutes before the visitation. Typically we make the room look nice by putting tablecloths and flowers (from funeral home) on tables and set up a table for serving water.

During Visitation we keep the water table supplied, pick up used items, check with the family to see what other needs they may have.

The Clean Up shift takes 30 minutes after visitation ends. Typically we reverse the setup process: strip tablecloths off tables, put away supplies, and pick up the room.

Funeral Liturgy
Funeral Greeters are asked to arrive 1 hour before the start of the Funeral or Visitation in the church. Volunteers are very welcome to attend the service and take communion. One Shift of volunteers stay until the funeral starts. Another shift of volunteers stays 30 minutes after the service ends for light cleanup. Two to six people are needed as greeters.

Funeral Greeters typically work with the parish and funeral home staff to prepare the church for the service, direct people to the service and building facilities, disperse programs, open and close doors, and straighten the church after the service.

Food Event
A meal after the Funeral or Committal is prepared when a family expresses the need. Sixteen to thirty volunteers are needed to prepare and serve the food.

The Food: Eight to twenty food dishes are needed depending on the family’s need. Typically dishes include vegetables, starches or fruit side dishes, and desserts. The Cathedral provides the meat (if not otherwise provided). Food dishes can be dropped off anytime before the funeral.

Food Event Setup involves spreading tablecloths, preparing serving tables, and placing food on/in serving dishes or otherwise preparing for service. Four to six volunteers are needed

Food Service involves setting the food out, helping the family as needed, keeping the food tables replenished, and packaging leftover food for dispersal. Six to eight volunteers are needed.

Food Event Cleanup involves dispersing leftover food, washing and storing serving dishes and unused supplies, stripping tablecloths off tables for laundering, and facility cleanup (trash out, kitchen surfaces wiped off, kitchen floors swept/mopped). Four to six volunteers are needed.