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Reception of the Body into Church

Pastoral Note

In death the Christian comes home to the household of faith. The assembly gathers to greet one of their own in prayer and worship.

This service reminds us that we return to Christ into whose death we are baptized. It reminds us that we return to Christ who in bread and wine feeds us with his body and blood.

It may be appropriate to bring the body into church on the evening before the funeral. The coffin may stand either by the place of baptism or by the holy table. The first is a reminder of our birth by water and the Spirit; the second is a sign that those who received Christ there in bread and wine are now received by Christ into the eternal presence of God.

More Christian traditions are discovering the value of this practice. We commend the service as a means of reminding the congregation that the death of a Christian is the gateway to God’s eternal presence. In marking death in this way, we recall a member’s place in the congregation of God’s people in heaven and earth. At the same time we remind ourselves that Christian worship week by week is a sharing in the worship of ‘angels and archangels and all the company of heaven’.

This rite adapts the early Christian practice of a funeral procession. In this way the journey of faith is recalled and the goal of Christian pilgrimage reaffirmed.

Where there is a procession, the coffin may be taken to the place of baptism before it is brought to the Lord’s Table or other focal point.

Symbols of Christian salvation and faith may be placed on, round or near the coffin:

 the Paschal Candle or other candle;

 a Bible;

 a simple cross.

At the end of the service, the congregation may be encouraged to enter into silence, once the Blessing and Dismissal have been pronounced. A visual aid to devotion (such as a candle, a cross, or a banner) may enable those unused to silence to focus their thoughts.

Shape of the Rite

 Gathering

 Readings and Reflection

 Prayers

 Blessing and Dismissal

Gathering

The minister greets the family and the coffin as they arrive at the church. Someone bearing a lighted candle may precede the minister at the head of the procession.

Do not be afraid [says the Lord]; I am the first and the last, and the living one. I was dead, and see, I am alive forever and ever.

I have set before you an open door, which no one is able to shut.

Revelation 1.17b–18a; 3.8

The procession may move to the place of baptism, where one of the following may be said.

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.

Romans 6.3–5

[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. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.’

Mark 10.14–15

Here is the place of safety;

here are the waters of hope.

Christ died and was raised to life for us,

so that our death and our life might be hidden in his.

The coffin is placed in the sight of all.

Members of the congregation known to the family may then escort them to their seats and sit with them.

Here we receive Christ, the Word of God,

Christ, the Light of the World.

Here Christ receives us;

here Christ welcomes us home.

A hymn may be sung.

Readings and Reflection

At least one passage of Scripture is read. Those below or other appropriate texts may be used.

Where shall I go from your spirit:

or where shall I flee from your presence?

If I ascend into heaven you are there:

if I make my bed in the grave you are there also.

If I spread out my wings towards the morning:

or dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

even there your hand shall lead me:

and your right hand shall hold me.

If I say ‘Surely the darkness will cover me:

and the night will enclose me’,

the darkness is no darkness with you,

but the night is as clear as the day:

the darkness and the light are both alike.

Psalm 139.7–116

The darkness is not dark to you, Lord,

the night shines as bright as the day:

Precious in your sight

is the death of your saints.

Jesus said, ‘Set your troubled hearts at rest. Trust in God always; trust also in me. There are many dwelling-places in my Father’s house; if it were not so I should have told you; for I am going to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I shall come again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also.’

John 14.1–3 Revised English Bible

I will come again and take you to myself:

Precious in your sight

is the death of your saints.

A brief reflection will normally follow, offering an explanation of the rite and its reference to the deceased. It ought not to pre-empt what may be said at the funeral service.

Prayers

The prayers that follow place the one who has died into the protection of God, and commend those who mourn to the comfort of the Holy Spirit. This may be done by a series of short prayers or by the litany offered below. These prayers conclude with the Lord’s Prayer.

Let us pray to the Lord our God

and make known our heart’s desire for N.

[In baptism]

You call us to follow in the way of Christ – even to death.

By the death of Jesus bring N through her death

to the place where Christ has gone before.

Lord, have mercy:

Christ, have mercy.

You have promised

your salvation to all who trust in you.

Bring N, with all your saints,

to your eternal presence.

Lord, have mercy:

Christ, have mercy.

You call us to the place of judgement –

the living and the dead.

Examine us with love,

and show N your mercy,

for without it none of us may stand.

Lord, have mercy:

Christ, have mercy.

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, have mercy:

Christ, have mercy.

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, have mercy:

Christ, have mercy.

Blessing and Dismissal

May God,

from whose love not even death can separate us,

grant light in the darkness

and resurrection from the dead.

May the love and peace of God

keep us safe from fear

and lead us with N and all the saints

to rejoice in the company of God for ever.

Go in peace, dear friends,

for God is with you in this darkness.

The Lord is your light and salvation,

God’s word is a lamp to your feet

and light on your path.

Those present are invited to stay for as long as they wish.