Help with planning a funeral

This page is to assist if you are planning a furneral. There are many great sites where you can access information on things such as suitable readings and music, but you need to know the structure of the service and where those and when things happen. Hopefully this will answer your questions.

Service begins with a gathering and hymn such as: ·         Priest: The grace and peace of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you. ·         All: And also with you. ·         We have come together to thank God for the life of ......, to mourn and honour him, to lay to rest his mortal body, and to support one another in grief.  We face the certainty of our own death and judgement. Yet Christians believe that those who die in Christ share eternal life with him.  Therefore in faith and hope we turn to God, who created and sustains us all.Entrance Hymn:  eg.... Amazing Grace/ Abide with me / Be thou my Vision/ Be not afraid Service continues with an acclaimation and sentence such as: ·         “I am the resurrection and the life,” says the Lord.  “Those who believe in me, even though they die, yet will they live.” ·         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.  Let us pray...Prayer follows :   Eulogy:  One or more members of the family or friends may speak about the person who has died.  Alternatively, a written eulogy may be prepared and read on behalf of the family by the Minister. Hymn:  How great thou are/ Jesus, Remember Me etc.. OR you may like to sing the psalm such as "The Lord is my Shepherd" (Psalm 23) ·         READINGS:  ·         The Psalm:  various psalms are suitable: ·         23, 90, 121, 46, 71, 130, 139:1-11 ·         You can read these psalms by going to clicking on each and then click the back arrow at the top left hand side of your screen to return.  The readings are found at www.biblegateway.com Ministry of the WORD:   Suitable readings include: ·         Romans 6:3-9  (Baptized in Christ will live with Christ) ·         1 Corinthians 15:50-58 (Jesus has conquered death) ·         John 14:1-6 (Jesus prepares a place for us) ·         Romans 8:31-38 (Nothing can separate us from God’s love) ·         1 Corinthians 13 (The greatest is love) ·         1 Corinthians 15 (We hope because we believe in the resurrection) ·         2 corinthians4:16-5:10  (continue in faith) ·         Philippians 3:10-16, 20-21 (God’s purposes for us) ·         1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (looking to the saviour coming) ·         Revelation21:1-7 (the new heaven and the new earth) ·         Matthew 5:1-12 (blessed are those who mourn) ·         John 6:35 (Jesus who raises us up) ·         John 11: 17-27 (The resurrection and the life) ·         John 20:11-18 (an encounter with Jesus) The Sermon PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVING AND COMFORT    The Lord’s Prayer 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 forever and ever. Amen. The Farewell The Blessing Final Hymn:  Galilee Song /When I survey the wondrous Cross/ How great thou Art / Amazing Grace / Jesus Lover of my soul / Jesus, Remember Me

How does it all come together? Please contact your Parish Priest as they will answer your many questions.  Booklets are printed for the service.  Often these are photocopied by the Parish and your Parish rector can let you know the details.