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,
