AN ORDER OF SERVICE FOR THE BURIAL OF THE DEAD
OUR CONTINUING LIFE
Nowhere are the blessings of Spirit Communion more evident than in the bringing of comfort and help to the bereaved; indeed, the only possible message of comfort for those who are mourning the loss of their loved ones is the truth of the continuity of life and the certainty of the unbroken link with those on Earth.
The gloom which, in the past, has been associated with death has been due to ignorance concerning the After-Life. We know that the earth-life is but one of countless stages of experience, and though the flesh may separate us in these present conditions there is no separation of Spirit. We live in hope, joyfully anticipating the future. We believe that death is but a gateway leading into a freer and happier life, and that Spirit Return is God's great Gift by which all spheres of life are linked in service together.
We cannot in our limited human conditions escape the sadness which bereavement brings; but as we raise our thoughts to the greatness of the Heavenly Life so the Veil grows thinner and the truth of the co-operation and companionship of dear ones in the Spirit World with those in the physical body is more clearly seen and felt.
It will be understood that this Service can be modified as individual inspiration directs.
If it is desired to have a short service in the home before leaving for the Church, a suggestion for this will be found further on.
**It is important that before an interment the Minister should receive a certificate of death from the undertaker
THE PROCESSION
**The Minister, meeting the coffin at the entrance to the Church or Chapel, and going before it, may use one or more of the following sentences:
The Lord is my Light and my Salvation; whom then shall I fear; the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom then shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27: 1
I
am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord; he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die.
St. John 11: 25-26
I
heard a great voice out of heaven saying: Behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people; and God Himself shall be with them and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away.
Revelation 21: 3-4
And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun, for the Lord God giveth them light; and they shall reign for ever and ever. Blessed are they that do His commandments; that they may have the right to the tree of Life, and may enter in through the gates into the City.
Revelation 22: 5, 14
I
will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh even from the Lord, Who hath made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved, and He that keepeth will not sleep. Behold, He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord Himself is thy keeper, the Lord is thy defence upon thy right hand; so that the sun shall not burn me by day; neither the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil; yea, it is even He that shall keep thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out, and thy coming in, from this time forth for evermore. Amen.
Psalm 121
**The words in italics must be used according as each occasion requires.
**For cremation it is preferred that there be no words of committal. Tension is relieved by the coffin being removed in the middle of the Service. It is suggested that this should take place during the singing of a hymn or psalm, or, more preferably, while the Lord's Prayer is being said, when the eyes and mind are taken off visible things.
**When the mourners are assembled in their place in the Church the Minister will say:
Dear friends, during this short Service let us remember that this life is but a training for the Life to come, and when each has accomplished his work on Earth he is called to continue that work in a higher sphere of life.
We are gathered together to ask God's blessing for our beloved. We give thanks for the knowledge of that continuing life, where there is neither death, nor pain, nor crying. As you think how blessed is your loved one who has gone from pain and weariness into the Better Land, it will help you to overcome your natural sorrow to remember the Love of God, and God's Home is never closed to those who have passed on.
So we ask you to lift up your hearts and, by faith, to look beyond the shadows of the Earth life, when you will be able to see a little of the beauty which awaits you also.
Jesus said: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, if a man keep My saying, he shall never see death."
St. John 8: 51
HYMN
**(A favourite hymn of the departed should be used if possible)
SCRIPTURE READING
St. John 14: 1-7
Let not your heart be troubled, ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's House are many mansions, if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.
Thomas saith unto Him, Lord, we know not whither Thou goest; and how can we know the way?
Jesus saith unto him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me. If ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also; and from henceforth ye know Him, and have seen Him.
**Then may be said or sung:
PSALM XXIII
The Lord is my shepherd, therefore can I lack nothing.
He shall feed me in a green pasture; and lead me forth beside the waters of comfort.
He shall convert my soul; and bring me forth in the paths of righteousness, for His Name's sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for Thou art with me; Thy rod and staff comfort me.
Thou shalt prepare a table before me against them that trouble me; Thou hast anointed my head with oil, and my cup shall be full.
But Thy loving-kindness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Amen.
Minister:
LET US JOIN TOGETHER IN PRAYER
OUR FATHER, Who art in Heaven, all 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. When in temptation Thy love sustains us, and deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory. For ever and for ever. Amen.
A PRAYER FOR THE DEPARTED
**(In the case of a little child "A Prayer for a Child" is in the Supplementary Prayers further on)
O GOD, our Father, Who holdeth all good things in Thy safe keeping, we pray for our brother/sister who has completed his/her earthly span. Bless him/her and guide him/her, and help him/her to learn quickly the way of spiritual progress, so that he/she may indeed be one of Thy devoted servants. Amen.
