| Before the Funeral | |||
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¶
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At Home before the Funeral | ||
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Note
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| This service may be adapted for use | |||
| ¶ on hearing the news of a death; | |||
| ¶ as part of the minister's visit to the family before the Funeral. | |||
| Hymns may be sung at appropriate points. | |||
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Preparation
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| At this time of sorrow the Lord is in our midst and consoles us with his word: Blessed are the sorrowful; they shall be comforted. Blessed be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation. He comforts us in all our afflictions and thus enables us to comfort those who grieve with the same consolation we have received from him. |
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| We shall not all die | |||
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All
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but we shall be changed. | ||
| The trumpet shall sound and the dead will rise immortal | |||
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All
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and we shall be changed. | ||
| The perishable must be clothed with the imperishable | |||
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All
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and the mortal must be clothed with immortality. | ||
| We shall not all die | |||
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All
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but we shall be changed. | ||
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Readings
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| These or other appropriate readings may be used | |||
| We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died. For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will by no means precede those who have died. | |||
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1 Thessalonians 4.13-15
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1
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I lift up my eyes to the
hills; • from where is my help to come? |
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2
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My help comes from the Lord,
• the maker of heaven and earth. |
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3
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He will not suffer your foot to
stumble; • he who watches over you will not sleep. |
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4
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Behold, he who keeps watch over
Israel • shall neither slumber nor sleep. |
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5
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The Lord himself watches over
you; • the Lord is your shade at your right hand, |
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6
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So that the sun shall not strike
you by day, • neither the moon by night. |
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7
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The Lord shall keep you from all
evil; • it is he who shall keep your soul. |
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8
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The Lord shall keep watch over
your going out and your coming in, • from this time forth for evermore. |
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Psalm 121
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| Martha said to Jesus, 'Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him.' Jesus said to her, 'Your brother will rise again.' Martha said to him, 'I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.' | |||
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John 11.21-24
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Prayers
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| Memories of the departed may be shared, ending with the following prayer | |||
| O God, who brought us to
birth, and in whose arms we die, in our grief and shock contain and comfort us; embrace us with your love, give us hope in our confusion and grace to let go into new life; through Jesus Christ. |
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All
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Amen. | ||
| These or other prayers may follow | |||
| Lord, we come into your presence
to remember N and to seek your comfort, for we know that nothing can separate us from your love and that you support us in our sorrow. We are sure that the souls of the righteous are with you and that nothing can harm them. Although they have died they are in peace. Give us your strength to rejoice that you have taken N to be with yourself where he/she shall no more be in need. May we find life and peace and perfect joy with him/her in your presence; through Jesus Christ our Lord. |
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All
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Amen. | ||
| God of all consolation, in your unending love and mercy you turn the darkness of death into the dawn of new life. Your Son, by dying for us, conquered death and, by rising again, restored to us eternal life. May we then go forward eagerly to meet our redeemer and, after our life on earth, be reunited with all our brothers and sisters in that place where every tear is wiped away and all things are made new; through Jesus Christ our Saviour. |
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All
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Amen. | ||
| Lord, be with us as we open the
door. Come in with us, go out with us. Do not sleep when we sleep, but watch over us, protect us and keep us safe, our only helper and maker. |
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All
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Amen. | ||
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cf Psalm 121
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Conclusion
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| And now to him who is able to
keep us from falling, and lift us from the dark valley of despair to the bright mountain of hope, from the midnight of desperation to the daybreak of joy; to him be power and authority, for ever and ever. |
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| All | Amen. | ||
| ¶ | For those Unable to be
Present at the Funeral |
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| Note | |||
| This service may be adapted to suit particular circumstances. It may be led by a friend or family member or by a minister. | |||
| It is deliberately based on the Funeral Service itself. | |||
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The Gathering
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| We meet in the name of Jesus
Christ, who died and was raised to the glory of God the Father. We join with those in (place) in remembering before God our brother/sister N; to give thanks for his/her life; to commend him/her to God our merciful redeemer and judge; to commit his/her body to be buried/cremated, and to comfort one another in our grief. |
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| God of all consolation, your Son Jesus Christ was moved to tears at the grave of Lazarus his friend. Look with compassion on your children in their loss; give to troubled hearts the light of hope and strengthen in us the gift of faith, in Jesus Christ our Lord. |
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All
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Amen. | ||
| Almighty God, you judge us with infinite mercy and justice and love everything you have made. In your mercy turn the darkness of death into the dawn of new life, and the sorrow of parting into the joy of heaven; through our Saviour, Jesus Christ. |
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All
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Amen. | ||
| Those present may be encouraged to share briefly their memories of the one who has died. | |||
| Prayers of Penitence and the Collect may be used from the Funeral Service. | |||
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Reading
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| An appropriate reading from the selection is read. | |||
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Prayers
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| The prayers from the Funeral Service, or less formal prayer, may follow as appropriate to the circumstances. | |||
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Commendation and Farewell
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| The prayers in this section of the Funeral Service may be adapted with the addition of a phrase such as 'With those in (place)' before the words 'We entrust…' or 'We commend…'. | |||
| This may be followed by a time of silence, the Lord's Prayer and a form of dismissal. | |||
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¶
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Receiving the Coffin at
Church before the Funeral |
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| Note | |||
| The coffin may be received into the church at the beginning of the Funeral Service, or earlier in the day, or on the day before the Funeral. A candle may stand beside the coffin and may be carried in front of the coffin when it is brought into the church. | |||
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Receiving the Coffin
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| The minister meets the coffin at the door of the church and says | |||
| We receive the body of our
brother/sister N with confidence in God, the giver of life, who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead. |
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| The coffin may be sprinkled with water, and these words may be used | |||
| With this water we call to mind
N 's baptism. As Christ went through the deep waters of death for us, so may he bring us to the fullness of resurrection life with N and all the redeemed. |
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| (or) | |||
| Grant, Lord, that we who are baptized into the death of your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ may continually put to death our evil desires and be buried with him; and that through the grave and gate of death we may pass to our joyful resurrection; through his merits, who died and was buried and rose again for us, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. |
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All
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Amen. | ||
| These or other suitable sentences of Scripture may be used. The minister may add 'Alleluia' to any of these sentences. | |||
| 'I am the resurrection and the life,' says the Lord. 'Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.' | |||
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John 11.25,26
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| I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. | |||
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Romans 8.38,39
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| Since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died. So we will be with the Lord for ever. Therefore encourage one another with these words. | |||
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1 Thessalonians 4.14,17b,18
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| We brought nothing into the
world, and we take nothing out. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. |
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1 Timothy 6.7; Job 1.21b
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| The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is his faithfulness. | |||
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Lamentations 3.22,23
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| Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. | |||
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Matthew 5.4
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| God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. | |||
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John 3.16
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| When the coffin is in place, the minister prays using these or other suitable words | |||
| God our Father, by raising Christ your Son you destroyed the power of death and opened for us the way to eternal life. As we remember before you our brother/sister N , we ask your help for all who shall gather in his/her memory. Grant us the assurance of your presence and grace, by the Spirit you have given us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. |
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All
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Amen. | ||
| A pall may be placed over the coffin by family, friends or other members of the congregation and these words may be said | |||
| We are already God's
children, but what we shall be has not yet been revealed. Yet we know that when Christ appears we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. |
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| (or) | |||
| On Mount Zion the Lord will
remove the pall of sorrow hanging over all nations. He will destroy death for ever. He will wipe away the tears from every face. |
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| A Bible may be placed on the coffin, with these words | |||
| Lord Jesus Christ, your living and imperishable word brings us to new birth. Your eternal promises to us and to N are proclaimed in the Bible. |
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| A cross may be placed on the coffin, with these words | |||
| Lord Jesus Christ, for love of N and each one of us you bore our sins on the cross. |
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| Other suitable symbols of the life and faith of the departed person may be placed on or near the coffin, with the minister's permission. Those present may be encouraged to share briefly their memories of the one who has died. | |||
| Silence is kept. | |||
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Readings and Prayers
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| Heavenly Father, you have not
made us for darkness and death, but for life with you for ever. Without you we have nothing to hope for; with you we have nothing to fear. Speak to us now your words of eternal life. Lift us from anxiety and guilt to the light and peace of your presence, and set the glory of your love before us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. |
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All
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Amen. | ||
| John 14.1-6 or other appropriate readings may be read, with psalms and prayers and silence. | |||
| Almighty God, you love everything you have made and judge us with infinite mercy and justice. We rejoice in your promises of pardon, joy and peace to all those who love you. In your mercy turn the darkness of death into the dawn of new life and the sorrow of parting into the joy of heaven; through our Saviour Jesus Christ, who died, who rose again, and lives for evermore. |
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All
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Amen. | ||
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Ending
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| The minister uses one or more of these prayers. The service may end with a time of silence. As they leave, the mourners may come near and touch the coffin, or gather round it and pray. | |||
| N has fallen asleep in
the peace of Christ. As we leave his/her body here, we entrust him/her, with faith and hope in everlasting life, to the love and mercy of our Father and surround him/her with our love and prayer. [In baptism, he/she was made by adoption a child of God. At the eucharist he/she was sustained and fed. God now welcomes him/her to his table in heaven to share in eternal life with all the saints.] |
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| God of all consolation, your Son Jesus Christ was moved to tears at the grave of Lazarus his friend. Look with compassion on your children in their loss; give to troubled hearts the light of hope and strengthen in us the gift of faith, in Jesus Christ our Lord. |
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All
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Amen. | ||
| The Lord God almighty is our Father: | |||
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All
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he loves us and tenderly cares for us. | ||
| The Lord Jesus Christ is our Saviour: | |||
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All
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he has redeemed us and will defend us to the end. | ||
| The Lord, the Holy Spirit is among us: | |||
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All
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he will lead us in God's holy way. | ||
| To God almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, | |||
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All
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be praise and glory today and for ever. Amen. | ||
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¶
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A Funeral Vigil | ||
| Note | |||
| The vigil may take place as part of a service at church before the Funeral, or it may be a separate service. It may take place in church, at home or in another suitable place, such as a hospital chapel. The Gathering and the Ending may be omitted if the vigil is part of another service. | |||
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The Gathering
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| O Lord, open our lips | |||
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All
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and our mouth shall proclaim your praise. | ||
| Blessed are you, God of
compassion and mercy, shepherd and protector of your grieving people, their beginning and their ending. Lead us to a place of peace and refreshment; guide us to springs of life-giving water; wipe away the tears from our eyes and bring us to heaven where there is no more death, no more grief or crying or pain in your presence, Father, Son and Holy Spirit: |
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All
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blessed be God for ever. | ||
| Christ yesterday and
today, the beginning and the end, Alpha and Omega; all time belongs to him, and all ages; to him be glory and power, through every age and for ever. |
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All
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Amen. | ||
| If candles are to be lit | |||
| May the light of Christ, rising
in glory, banish all darkness from our hearts and minds. |
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| One of these themes, or a selection from them, may be chosen. | |||
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Assurance and Comfort
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| Old Testament: Isaiah 61.1-3 | |||
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To comfort all who mourn
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| Psalm: 139 | |||
| Psalm Prayer | |||
| Lord, you created and fashioned us, you know us and search us out, you abide with us through light and dark: help us to know your presence in this life and, in the life to come, still to be with you; where you are alive and reign, God, for ever and ever. |
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All
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Amen. | ||
| New Testament: 1 Peter 1.3-9 | |||
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We have been born anew to
a living hope |
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| Canticle: A Song of God's Children | |||
| Gospel: John 14.1-6 | |||
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In my Father's house are many rooms
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| Prayer | |||
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The Faithfulness of God
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| Old Testament: Isaiah 53.1-10 | |||
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The suffering servant
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| Psalm: 116.1-8[9-17] | |||
| Psalm Prayer | |||
| Lord of life, we walk through eternity in your presence. Lord of death, we call to you in grief and sorrow: you hear us and rescue us. Watch over us as we mourn the death of your servant, precious in your sight, and keep us faithful to our vows to you. |
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All
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Amen. | ||
| New Testament: Romans 8.31-end | |||
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Nothing can separate us
from the love of Christ |
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| Revelation 21.1-7 | |||
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Behold I make all things new
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| Canticle: A Song of the Justified | |||
| Gospel: John 6.35-40[53-58] | |||
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All that the Father gives me will
come to me |
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| Prayer | |||
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The Hope of Heaven
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| Apocrypha: Wisdom 3.1-5,9 | |||
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The souls of the righteous are
in the hand of God |
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| Psalm: 25.1-9 | |||
| Psalm Prayer | |||
| God of our salvation, in our sorrow we lift our hearts to you and put our faith in you. Have compassion on us, forgive us, and love us to eternity, as you guide us and teach us in the way that lies ahead in Jesus Christ our Lord. |
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All
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Amen. | ||
| New Testament: Romans 8.18-25[26-30] | |||
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The future glory
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| Revelation 21.22-end; 22.3b-5 | |||
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The Lord God will be their light
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| Canticle: A Song of Faith | |||
| Gospel: John 14.1-6 | |||
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In my Father's house are many rooms
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| Prayer | |||
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Easter
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| Old Testament: Job 19.23-27 | |||
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I know that my Redeemer lives
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| Psalm: 32 | |||
| Psalm Prayer | |||
| Lord, our hiding place in times
of trouble, you bring our guilt to mind. Your hand seems heavy; our tongues dry up and we openly confess our guilt. Embrace us with your mercy. Teach us to trust you, and bring us at the last to rejoice in your presence for ever and ever. |
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| All | Amen. | ||
| New Testament: 2 Timothy 2.8-13 | |||
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If we have died with him,
we shall also live with him |
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| Canticle: A Song of the Redeemed | |||
| Gospel: John 11.17-27 | |||
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I am the resurrection and the life
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| Prayer | |||
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Advent
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| Old Testament: Daniel 12.1-3[5-9] | |||
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Everyone whose name shall
be found written in the book |
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| Psalm: 27 | |||
| Psalm Prayer | |||
| O God our defender, give us the light of truth and wisdom, that all our hope may be fixed on you and on your Son, Jesus the Christ. |
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All
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Amen. | ||
| New Testament: 1 Thessalonians 4.13-18 | |||
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So we shall always be
with the Lord |
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| Canticle: The Song of Manasseh | |||
| Gospel: Matthew 25.31-end | |||
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The final judgement
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| Prayer | |||
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An Unexpected Death
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| Apocrypha: Wisdom 4.8-11,13-15 | |||
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Age is not length of time
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| Psalm: 6 | |||
| Psalm Prayer | |||
| Our eyes, Lord, are wasted with
grief; you know we are weary with groaning. As we remember our death in the dark emptiness of the night, have mercy on us and heal us; forgive us and take away our fear through the dying and rising of Jesus your Son. |
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All
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Amen. | ||
| New Testament: 2 Corinthians 4.7-15 | |||
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We carry in our mortal
bodies the death of Jesus |
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| Canticle: Nunc dimittis (The Song of Simeon) | |||
| Gospel: Luke 12.35-40 | |||
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The coming of the Son of Man
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| Prayer | |||
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A Child
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| Old Testament: 2 Samuel 12.16-23 | |||
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David's son dies
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| Psalm: 38.9-end | |||
| Psalm Prayer | |||
| Lord, have mercy on those who go about in mourning all the day long, who feel numb and crushed and are filled with the pain of grief, whose strength has given up and whose friends and neighbours are distant. You know all our sighing and longings: be near to us and teach us to fix our hope on you alone; through Jesus Christ our Lord. |
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All
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Amen. | ||
| Apocrypha: Wisdom 4.8-11,13-15 | |||
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Age is not length of time
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| Canticle: A Song of St Anselm | |||
| Gospel: Luke 12.35-40 | |||
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The coming of the Son of Man
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| Prayer | |||
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Ending
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| The Lord's Prayer is said. | |||
| The minister says this or another suitable ending | |||
| The Lord God almighty is our Father: | |||
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All
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he loves us and tenderly cares for us. | ||
| The Lord Jesus Christ is our Saviour: | |||
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All
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he has redeemed us and will defend us to the end. | ||
| The Lord, the Holy Spirit is among us: | |||
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All
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he will lead us in God's holy way. | ||
| To God almighty, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, | |||
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All
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be praise and glory today and for ever. Amen. | ||
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¶
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On the Morning of the Funeral | ||
| Note | |||
| This brief form of service is intended to provide a short time of recollection some time before going to the Funeral. It may be led by a friend, family member or the minister. | |||
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Preparation
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| As we set out on our journey
today, we pray for the presence of Christ, who has gone this way before us. Lord Jesus, you have shown us the way to the Father: Lord, have mercy. |
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All
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Lord, have mercy. | ||
| Lord Jesus, your word is a light
to our path: Christ, have mercy. |
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All
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Christ, have mercy. | ||
| Lord Jesus, you are the good
shepherd, leading us into everlasting life: Lord, have mercy. |
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All
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Lord, have mercy. | ||
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The Word
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| The steadfast love of the Lord
never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, 'therefore I will hope in him.' The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord. For the Lord will not reject for ever. Although he causes grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love; for he does not willingly afflict or grieve anyone. |
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Lamentations 3.22-26,31-33
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Prayer
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| Heavenly Father, you have not made us for darkness and death, but for life with you for ever. Without you we have nothing to hope for; with you we have nothing to fear. Speak to us now your words of eternal life. Lift us from anxiety and guilt to the light and peace of your presence, and set the glory of your love before us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. |
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All
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Amen. | ||