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ОглавлениеA Funeral Service in Church
Pastoral Note
Christian funeral rites are distinctive: beyond the solemn farewell that any person’s death evokes, they enable us to relate human death and bereavement to God.
In the funeral rite we begin with the one who has died. We confront death itself, and we rejoice in the resurrection promised and known in Christ.
In our pastoral care (of which the funeral service is a part) we confront the reality of death with the hope of the resurrection. For the deceased death is the gateway to judgement and to life. For the bereaved the journey through grief will not lead ‘back to normal’, to a past that cannot be recaptured.
In our funeral rites we point to a new experience of God beyond death. For the deceased there is the hope of deliverance and of glory, for the bereaved there is opportunity for the past to be remembered with forgiveness and for the future to be embraced with freedom.
To accomplish all this (and more!) in a rite is not impossible. However, we need to remember that it is the task of the funeral service to map the journey that lies ahead, not to travel it in its entirety. A funeral at a church or chapel may include all the elements suggested here.
If we remember that the dead from whom we part were made in the image of God, and that the death of Jesus touches their death, we will be strengthened in our ministry. ‘Truly, I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers (my sisters), you did it to me.’
The Shape of the Rite
Gathering
Greeting
Opening Sentences
Opening Prayer
[Tribute]
Bible Readings
Sermon
Prayers
The Lord’s Prayer
[Holy Communion]
[Prayer of Farewell]
[Final Scripture]
[Words of Departure]
The Word of Resurrection
Concluding Prayer
Blessing
Gathering
The minister leads the coffin into the church or chapel and greets the congregation.
Greeting
We meet in the presence of God,
who holds the keys of life and death.
We meet to remember the life of N, who has died,
to give thanks, to forgive,
and to look forward.
We meet to commit N and ourselves to God
whose Son Jesus has passed through death before us.
Hear now words of faith and hope.
Opening Sentences
These or other appropriate sentences may be used.
This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.
Genesis 28.17
Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11.28
The hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.
John 5.25
FOR USE AT THE FUNERAL OF A CHILD
[Jesus said,] ‘Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs . . .’ And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.
Mark 10.14,16
A hymn may be sung.
Opening Prayer
One of these prayers is used.
Eternal God,
maker of all that is,
we come before you in our need.
On this day of parting
do not abandon N whom we love
do not desert us in our grief.
Give us courage and strength for today
and hope and peace for tomorrow.
This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
God of forgiveness and love,
even when our faith is shaken,
your faithfulness is sure.
Give light to our footsteps,
heal our wounds,
and lead us to your truth;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
If only, Lord God,
if only we had taken time,
if only we had said more,
if only we had said less.
We confess to you our regrets,
we acknowledge what is past.
In this moment give us grace to receive
and to offer forgiveness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
[Tribute]
When a tribute is to be offered, it may be given here. The proclamation of the Christian hope then takes its rightful place at the heart of the rite in the reading of Scripture and a sermon.
Bible Readings
Suggested passages are listed in Appendix 1 (see pages 28–41).
After the reading of Scripture the following words may be used.
Your word is a lamp to our feet:
A light to our path.
Sermon
Prayers
The litany below is normally said. Additional or alternative prayers are to be found in Appendix 2 (see pages 42–48).
LITANY
Let us pray to the Lord our God
making known our heart’s desire for N.
God of our journey,
you have called us to follow in the way of Christ,
even to death.
By the victory of the cross
lead N through death to resurrection
where Christ has gone before.
Lord, in your mercy:
Hear our prayer.
Righteous God,
you call us to judgement –
the living and the dead,
to the place where right and truth prevail.
Examine us with love,
and show N your mercy,
for without it none of us may stand.
Lord, in your mercy:
Hear our prayer.
Saving God,
you have promised your salvation
to all who trust in you.
Bring N with all your saints
to your eternal presence.
Lord, in your mercy:
Hear our prayer.
Ever-living God,
you have promised new life
to all who are found in Christ.
Clothe N with the life of your Son,
whom not even death could hold.
Lord, in your mercy:
Hear our prayer.
Eternal God,
all our days depend on you,
for you are the giver of all good gifts.
Grant N
the life of your eternal joy and peace.
Lord, in your mercy:
Hear our prayer.
The following may be said after the litany or any other prayers.
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Eternal God,
we pray for ourselves as we pray for N.
We stand where earth and heaven meet,
where life is brought to death,
and death is made the gate to glory.
Deliver us from fear and doubt,
from despair and unbelief,
and bring us to the light of your presence.
Grant us that peace which the world cannot give,
so that we with N may trust in you
and find our life in you.
We make our prayer through Jesus Christ,
our Saviour in life and death,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those
who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
