08/26/2026
Showing Up on the Worst Day: St. Stephen Funeral Ministry
Behind the scenes at St. Stephen is a dedicated group of mostly women and a few men who provide a vital “labor of love” for our parish. The Funeral Lunch Ministry is a source of consolation for families during times of great sorrow.
Led by Beverly Eberle for the past 16 years, the funeral ministry provides lunch to family and friends after a Funeral Mass.
Whether they are preparing sandwiches, soups, salads, arranging tables settings with flowers, or simply providing drinks when the lunch is catered— a growing trend for funeral lunches— their goal is to be there for families on the toughest of days.
“We just want to be of service to people during such an awful period of time in their lives,” Beverly said. “A lot of healing happens over food; lunch after the funeral is one of the first instances where that can take place.”
For Rosanna Shelton, who coordinates desserts for the luncheons, the ministry is something she has been a part of for the past six decades.
“Because you don’t always have words, but you can do something,” said Roseanna Shelton, whose role within the ministry is to coordinate desserts for the luncheons.
Rosanna remembers the early days of washing dishes in a closet sink at the old church on Grand Avenue.
“That’s where we got into doing sandwiches more because we didn’t have all those dishes to wash … and we didn’t have a proper place to wash them,” she said with a laugh.
The next generation of helpers is ready to lend a hand, too. Eleven-year-old Eva, granddaughter of Kathy Lancaster, loves setting the tables for the church’s senior dinners as well funeral lunches.
“It’s a privilege to support our neighbors in their time of need,” Kathy said. “You feel like you’ve done something good for someone.”
The group even has its own traditions. Angela Hancock explained that when they’re preparing lunch in the kitchen, they always have a bag of chips on hand.
“We get hungry!” she laughs. “It’s the only time most of eat chips and it’s our tradition.”
Over the years, the ministry has been a source of friendship and community for the members. Their easy banter and light-hearted interactions, including plenty of compliments about Roseanna’s hot pink top, testify to their closeness.
“We’re a tight-knit group, but we are always looking to welcome others to join us,” said Roseanna.
Beverly’s team of volunteers includes Kathy Lancaster, Roseanna Shelton, Natalie Zancanella, Eva Zancanella, Angela Hancock, Sharon Bosco, Bonnie Embry, Kathryn Nelson, Barb Kelly, Joe and Phyllis Snoddy, Don and Diane Deford, and Ron and Teresa Fuller.
For generations, the Funeral Lunch Ministry has offered consolation—one at a time— in the form of generous hospitality to those experiencing one of the worst days of their lives.
