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The
Words of a Funeral Service From the Book of Common Prayer |
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I 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 firstfruits 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 firstfruits; 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, 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. 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. 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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