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.
Prayers and Readings before a Funeral
Pastoral Note
Families and friends often help one another in all the preparations for the funeral. In the evening before or on the day itself, as people gather, feelings of apprehension and sorrow may sharpen. The prayers and readings that follow are provided for use at such a time, when we seek courage to face what must be and faith to pass through death to newness of life.
These prayers and readings are not intended to form a service of worship. By the time these prayers are used, the funeral will have been prepared. They are provided for the ministry of pastoral support and spiritual preparation in the hours or moments before the nearest mourners move to the funeral.
Shape of the Rite
Prayers
Readings
On Leaving the House
Prayers
These or similar prayers may be used as seems appropriate.
EVENING PRAYERS
In peace, we will lie down and sleep;
for you alone, Lord, make us dwell in safety.
Abide with us, Lord Jesus,
for the night is at hand and the day is now past.
As the night-watch looks for the morning,
so do we look for you, O Christ.
Celebrating Common Prayer
Save us, O Lord, while waking,
and guard us sleeping,
that awake we may watch with Christ,
and asleep we may rest in peace.
The darkness comes, Lord God, and the night falls;
go before us, lighting our way.
Watch over our hearts and minds this night,
and in the silence or the turmoil of our sleep,
be our strong deliverer;
through Jesus Christ our risen Lord.
Amen.
A PRAYER AT THE HOUSE ON THE DAY
The hour has come and now is,
when we must go where we would rather not.
Go before us, go beside us,
go behind us, go within us,
lead us to your eternal house
and make your dwelling with us;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
ADDITIONAL PRAYER
O Lord of hosts, God of the living and the dead,
touch us in our grief,
stand with us in our sorrow,
and heal our hurt.
Strengthen us with peace,
and steady us with hope.
Help us where faith falls short,
and speak to us the word of life
that is yours alone.
These things we ask
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who once was dead,
but lives with you now for ever and ever.
Amen.
Readings
[Jesus said,] ‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’
Matthew 11.28–30
[Jesus said,] ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also.’
John 14.1–3
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
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