The Words of a Funeral Service
From the Book of Common Prayer
We have given the words that could be used at a crematorium. This
particular service was followed by a memorial service later in the day so there
is no sermon or tribute, etc. (though these were not part of older services
anyway)
As we come in: Music or silence or the Minister reads verses from
scripture
Opening Sentence:
Jesus said, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though
he were dead, yet shall he live; And whosoever liveth and believeth in
me shall never die.
Welcome
Do be seated for the opening prayer.
Almighty and everlasting God, who dost govern all things in heaven and earth;
Mercifully hear the cries of thy people, and grant us thy peace this day, and
all the days of our life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Verses from the 39th Psalm:
LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that
I may know how frail I am. Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth;
and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is
altogether vanity. Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they
are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather
them. And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee. Deliver
me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish. I
was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it. Remove thy stroke away
from me; I am consumed by the blow of thine hand. When thou with
rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away
like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give
ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears; for I am a stranger with
thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were. O spare me, that I may
recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.
And a reading taken from St Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians, chapter
15.
But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that
slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection
of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made
alive. But every man in his own order; Christ the first fruits;
afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. Then cometh the end, when
he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he
shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last
enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
Prayers
We remain seated to pray. In a few moments, we will say the Lord's prayer
which you can find on page ........of the Service book.
Let us pray.
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will
be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and
forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And
lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the
kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Merciful Father, we thank you for the life of your son/daughter, N, for the
love and mercy s/he received from you and showed amongst us. We rejoice
in your promise to all your servants, living and departed, that we shall rise
again at the coming of Christ. And we ask that in due time we may share
with our brother/sister N that clearer vision when we shall see your face in
the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
In quiet, we bring our own thoughts and prayers to God. ………………………………..
Hear Lord the prayers of thy people, as we remember before thee our brother/sister
N. According to thy promises grant to him and to all who rest in Christ,
refreshment, light and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O Father of all, we pray to thee for those whom we love but see no longer. Grant
them thy peace; let light perpetual shine upon them; and in they loving wisdom
and almighty power work in them the good purpose of thy perfect will, through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty God, Father of all mercies and giver of all comfort, deal graciously
we pray with those who mourn, may they know the consolation of your love and
learn to cast their cares on you, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O Lord, support us all the day long of this troublous life, until the shades
lengthen and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, the fever of life
is over, and our work is done. Then Lord, in your mercy, grant us safe
lodging, a holy rest, and peace at the last; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Merciful Father, hear our prayers and comfort us; renew our trust in your Son,
whom you raised from the dead; strengthen our faith that all who have died in
the love of Christ will share in his resurrection; who lives and reigns with
you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Man that is born of a woman hath but a short time to live, and is full of misery.
He cometh up, and is cut down, like a flower; he fleeth as it were a shadow,
and never continueth in one stay. In the midst of life we are in death:
of whom may we seek for succour, but of thee, O Lord, who for our sins art justly
displeased? Yet, O Lord God most holy, O Lord most mighty, O holy
and most merciful Saviour, thou most worthy Judge eternal, suffer us not at
our last hour, for any pains of death, to fall from thee.
And now we stand.
Start curtains
Forasmuch as it hath pleased Almighty God of his great mercy to take unto himself
the soul of our dear brother/sister here departed, we therefore commit his body
to be cremated; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in sure
and certain hope of the Resurrection to eternal life, through our Lord Jesus
Christ; who shall change the body of our low estate that it may be like unto
his glorious body, according to the mighty working whereby he is able to subdue
all things unto himself.
And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, From henceforth blessed
are the dead which die in the Lord.
Even so saith the Spirit, for they rest from their labours; and their works
do follow them. Now may the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of
God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you and remain with you today
and always. Amen.
The Ministers depart. A piece of music may be played. The mourners sit and then depart when they are ready.
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