The Home-Going Service Tradition in Dallas County

For African American Christian families in Dallas County, the funeral is not simply a service of mourning — it is a "home-going" service, a celebration of the deceased's safe arrival home with the Lord. This profound theological framework shapes the tone, the music, the duration, and the entire experience of the funeral. For families coordinating a home-going service for the first time, or for friends and colleagues attending one, this guide explains what to expect.

Vargas-London coordinates home-going services across Dallas County with full understanding of the tradition's cultural, theological, and liturgical depth. We have working relationships with the major African American congregations in Dallas including Friendship-West Baptist, The Potter's House, Concord Church, Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship, Saint John Missionary Baptist, and Saint Paul AME, among many others.

The theological foundation: Going home to be with the Lord

The "home-going" framework comes from the Christian Scripture's repeated description of the believer's death as a return home to be with God. Hebrews 11:13-16 speaks of the patriarchs who "confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth" and "desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city." 2 Corinthians 5:8 says, "to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord." Philippians 1:21 says, "to die is gain."

For African American Christians, this scriptural framework shapes the funeral fundamentally. The deceased is not "lost" — the deceased has gone home. The family and community are not gathered to mourn loss but to celebrate the journey home and to encourage one another in faith. This does not erase grief — African American home-going services have profound moments of weeping and lamentation — but it places the grief within a framework of triumph and celebration.

The result is a funeral that may simultaneously include heart-rending tears, soaring gospel music, dancing in the aisles, "shouts" of praise, extended testimonials about the deceased's faith and witness, and quiet moments of solemn reverence — all within the same service.

Major Dallas County congregations and the home-going tradition

The major African American congregations in Dallas County where the home-going tradition is most actively practiced:

• Friendship-West Baptist Church — 2020 W Wheatland Rd, Dallas, TX 75232. Pastor Frederick D. Haynes III. One of the largest African American congregations in Texas; a national center for Black religious life. Home-going services here are notable for full pulpit ministry, full choir, and extensive community participation.
• The Potter's House of Dallas — 6777 W Kiest Blvd, Dallas, TX 75236. Bishop T.D. Jakes, founding pastor. Major spiritual center; home-going services here can have hundreds or even thousands of attendees, particularly for prominent members.
• Concord Church — 6808 Pastor Bailey Dr, Dallas, TX 75237. Continuing the legacy of E. K. Bailey. Strong home-going tradition with full music ministry.
• Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship — 1808 W Camp Wisdom Rd, Dallas, TX 75232. Pastor Tony Evans. Home-going services here often emphasize the deceased's biblical legacy and Kingdom vision.
• Saint John Missionary Baptist Church — 2600 S Marsalis Ave, Dallas, TX 75216. Historic South Dallas congregation with deep AME-style home-going tradition.
• Saint Paul AME Church — 1816 Routh St, Dallas, TX 75201. Historic Dallas AME congregation; AME funeral tradition in its full liturgical form.
• Free Methodist Conference congregations and others: home-going tradition is also present at smaller AME, COGIC, Pentecostal, and Baptist congregations throughout Dallas County.

The structure of a home-going service

While each congregation has its own style, a typical home-going service includes:

• Processional: family processes in to organ or choral accompaniment. This is a moment of high emotion; congregation members may stand, hold their hands up in prayer, or weep openly.
• Opening Hymn: traditional hymns ("Amazing Grace," "Precious Lord, Take My Hand," "I'll Fly Away") or gospel standards. Sung by the choir, with congregational participation.
• Scripture and Prayer: extensive prayer led by the senior pastor or a designated deacon/minister. The prayer may include praise, lament, encouragement, and intercession for the family.
• Reading of the Obituary: read aloud, often by a family member or a member of the church staff. The obituary itself is a substantial document — multiple pages with photographs, accomplishments, and family relationships.
• Reading of Resolutions: formal resolutions of condolence from organizations the deceased belonged to (church, fraternity/sorority, professional organizations, civic groups). Each is read aloud by a representative.
• Reflections / Tributes: family members and friends speak. This portion can run 30-60 minutes for a beloved person, with multiple speakers.
• Selections by the choir: gospel selections, often with featured soloists. This is a centerpiece of the service.
• The Eulogy: extended pulpit reflection by the pastor, frequently lasting 30-45 minutes. Not a brief homily — a substantial treatment of the deceased's life, faith journey, and witness.
• Final Viewing: family and congregation members process past the casket for a final viewing. Music continues during this period.
• Recessional: family processes out, often to a triumphant gospel selection.

Total service time typically: 90 minutes to 3 hours, depending on the congregation, the deceased's prominence, and the family's wishes.

Music in the home-going service

Music is central to the home-going service. Traditional gospel and hymn selections often include:

• Hymns: "Amazing Grace," "Precious Lord, Take My Hand," "It Is Well With My Soul," "Be Still My Soul," "How Great Thou Art," "What a Friend We Have in Jesus"
• Gospel standards: "I'll Fly Away," "When We All Get to Heaven," "Soon and Very Soon," "Going Up Yonder," "I Won't Complain"
• Contemporary gospel: selections from artists like Mahalia Jackson, Albertina Walker, Yolanda Adams, Kirk Franklin, Donnie McClurkin, depending on the family's preferences and the congregation's style
• Instrumental and choral: organ, piano, full choir, and often featured soloists with strong voices that "carry" the service

The choir at major Dallas County congregations — Friendship-West, Concord, Potter's House — is highly trained and skilled. The congregational sing-along during certain selections is part of the experience. Hand-clapping, foot-tapping, and "shouts" of approval ("Amen!" "Yes Lord!" "Thank you Jesus!") are normal congregational responses.

The repast and fellowship hall coordination

After the home-going service, the family and close friends gather for the repast — a meal in the fellowship hall of the church or, for larger services, at a separate venue. The repast is essential to the home-going tradition. It is:

• A continuation of the fellowship and remembrance
• A time for the immediate family to receive blessing and consolation from extended family and friends
• A moment of laughter, shared memory, and love that balances the more solemn elements of the service
• Traditionally extensive: large quantities of food, abundant hospitality, and a relaxed timeframe (1-3 hours)

Most major Dallas County African American congregations have substantial fellowship halls that accommodate 150-500+ guests. The church's hospitality ministry typically organizes the meal, often through volunteer cooks from the congregation. Vargas-London coordinates the timing between the funeral, the procession to the cemetery, and the repast so that the family does not have to handle logistics on the day.

For families whose home congregation does not have a fellowship hall, alternative venues include rented community centers, hotel ballrooms, or family member homes. We can suggest options through our DFW vendor directory.

Cemetery and burial in the home-going tradition

After the service, the procession moves to the cemetery for the graveside service and committal. Cemeteries commonly used by African American families in Dallas County:

• Laurel Land Memorial Park, 6300 S R L Thornton Fwy, Dallas, TX 75232. Large non-denominational cemetery; the traditional resting place for many South Dallas families.
• Oakland Cemetery, 3900 Malcolm X Blvd, Dallas, TX 75215. Historic South Dallas cemetery with deep African American roots.
• Restland Memorial Park, 13005 Greenville Ave, Dallas, TX 75243. Non-denominational; many families across Dallas.
• Sparkman/Hillcrest Memorial Park, 7405 W Northwest Hwy, Dallas, TX 75225. Established non-denominational.
• DFW National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Pkwy, Dallas, TX 75211. For veterans — no cost for plot, opening, headstone for eligible veterans.

The graveside service is typically brief — 15-25 minutes — with prayer, scripture, the committal, and a final blessing. The family typically returns to the church for the repast.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is a home-going service different from a 'funeral'?

Theologically, the difference is profound. A funeral is a service of mourning. A home-going is a celebration of triumph — the deceased has gone home to the Lord. The two are not exclusive: home-going services include grief and lament, but the central frame is celebration of the deceased's safe arrival in heaven. Practically, the home-going service is typically longer, includes more extensive music and testimony, and has a more participatory congregational style than a typical mainstream Protestant or Catholic funeral.

Why do home-going services last so long?

The length reflects the importance of the gathered community honoring the deceased fully. Reading of resolutions, multiple family and friend tributes, the substantive eulogy, full music ministry — each is meaningful and not abridged. For a beloved community member or church leader, the service can run 2.5-3 hours. The family's preference and the congregation's tradition determine the length.

Can a non-African American attend a home-going service?

Absolutely. Friends, colleagues, and community members of any background are warmly welcomed. The service is participatory but not exclusive — visitors can simply observe, participate as comfortable, and stand or sit with the congregation. Standard funeral dress is expected (dark colors, formal wear).

Do home-going services always have an open casket?

Most do, but not all. Open-casket viewing during the visitation (typically the night before the service) and at the conclusion of the service is traditional. Some families opt for closed casket throughout, particularly when the deceased's appearance was significantly affected by illness. Vargas-London accommodates either preference.

How much does a home-going service cost?

The funeral home portion is the same as our published packages: $895 direct cremation through $5,495+ traditional funeral with burial. Church coordination (pastor honorarium, music, fellowship hall use) varies by congregation; for a member family, fellowship hall use is typically free. Pastor honorariums are typically $300–$1,000. Choir/music fees: $200–$800 depending on whether full choir or single soloist. Repast catering: $400–$2,500 for 50–200 guests. Total home-going service typical: $7,500–$15,000 including cemetery.

Can my family hold a home-going service even if we're not church members?

Yes, often. Most major Dallas County African American congregations welcome non-member families for home-going services, particularly if the deceased had any connection to the congregation (attended occasionally, family members are members, etc.). The pastor and church staff can discuss with the family. Vargas-London facilitates this conversation.

Watch — Home-Going Tradition

The home-going service.

Mortician Kenya Robbins walks through the history and traditions of the African-American home-going service — including the role of the pastor, hymns, and fellowship hall.

Source: Mack Eppinger & Sons Funeral Service · embedded for educational use.