Burial of the Dead Planning
Part II

Burial of the Dead
Plan the Service

The following form is designed to help you plan the order of service. You will find the liturgy that is used, and when prompted you may make selections for Scriptures, as well as hymns/songs. Fill out as much as you can, and if you have any questions please feel free to connect with your pastor.



Opening Hymn

The service begins with an opening hymn or other Christian song. Input your preference in the box below.



Anthem of Hope & Prayers for the Family

After the opening hymn, the service continues with the Anthem of Hope and prayers for the family.
I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord.
Whoever believes in me,
though he die, yet shall he live,
and everyone who lives and believes in me
shall never die.  

For I know that my Redeemer lives,
and at the last he will stand upon the earth.
And after my skin has been thus destroyed,
yet in my flesh I shall see God,
whom I shall see for myself,
and my eyes shall behold, and not another.

For none of us lives to himself,
and none of us dies to himself.
For if we live, we live to the Lord,
and if we die, we die to the Lord.
So then, whether we live or whether we die,
we are the Lord’s.

For we brought nothing into the world,
and it is certain we carry nothing out.
The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away;
blessed be the name of the Lord.

Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord;
Even so, says the Spirit,
for they rest from their labors.

The Officiant then says
The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Officiant Let us pray.

AT THE BURIAL OF AN ADULT
O God, who by the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light: Grant that your servant N., being raised with Christ, may know the strength of his presence and rejoice in his eternal glory; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
For the following prayer, names of family members may be inserted. If you prefer to have names of family members named, list all names in the box below. If you prefer not to have family members named, simply leave the box blank.
Most merciful God, whose wisdom is beyond our understanding: deal graciously with those who mourn [especially _________]. Surround them with your love, that they may not be overwhelmed by their loss, but have confidence in your goodness, and strength to meet the days to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.



The Lessons

The burial service customarily has a reading from the Old Testament, a Psalm, the New Testament, and from the Gospels. It is also customary for family members to read the first three readings. A member of the clergy always reads the Gospel.





The Gospel Hymn

There is customarily a hymn or song that precedes the gospel reading. Input your preference below.



The Homily

The Officiant gives a short sermon



The Apostles' Creed
& The Lord's Prayer

The Officiant invites the people to stand and says
Let us confess the Faith in the words of the Apostles’ Creed:

Officiant and People
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
Officiant 
And now as our Savior Christ has taught us,
we are bold to pray:

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, and the power,
and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.



The Prayers of the People

The Deacon or other person appointed says the following or other appropriate prayers.

Let us pray, saying, “Hear our prayer.”

Almighty God, you knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship, in the mystical body of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord: Grant, we pray, to your whole Church in heaven and on earth, your light and peace.
Reader Lord, in your mercy:
People Hear our prayer.

Grant that all who have been baptized into Christ’s death and resurrection may die to sin and rise to newness of life, that through the grave and gate of death we may pass with him to our joyful resurrection.
Reader Lord, in your mercy:
People Hear our prayer.

Grant to us who are still in our pilgrimage, and who walk as yet by faith, that your Holy Spirit may lead us in holiness and righteousness all our days.
Reader Lord, in your mercy:
People Hear our prayer.

Grant to your faithful people pardon and peace, that we may be cleansed from all our sins, and serve you in faithful obedience.
Reader Lord, in your mercy:
People Hear our prayer.

Grant to all who mourn a sure confidence in your fatherly care, that, casting their grief on you, they may know the consolation of your love.
Reader Lord, in your mercy:
People Hear our prayer.

Help us, we pray, in the midst of things we cannot understand, to believe and trust in the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, and the resurrection to life everlasting.
Reader Lord, in your mercy:
People Hear our prayer.

Grant us grace to entrust Name. to your never-failing love; receive him into the arms of your mercy, and remember him according to the favor which you show to all your people.
Reader Lord, in your mercy:
People Hear our prayer.

Grant that, increasing in knowledge and love of you, he may go from strength to strength in the life of perfect service in your heavenly kingdom.
Reader Lord, in your mercy:
People Hear our prayer.

The Officiant concludes with the following or some other prayer
Almighty God, grant us, with all who have died in the hope of the resurrection, the fullness of life in your eternal and ever-lasting glory, and, with all your saints, to receive the crown of life promised to all who share in the victory of your Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.



The Commendation

The Officiant and other ministers take their places at the body.

Officiant Give rest, O Christ, to your servant with your saints,
All Where sorrow and pain are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting.

Officiant You only are immortal, the creator and maker of mankind; and we are mortal, formed of the earth, and to earth shall we return. For so did you decree, saying, “You are dust, and to dust you shall return.” All of us go down to the dust; yet even at the grave we make our song:
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
All Give rest, O Christ, to your servant with your saints, where sorrow and pain are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting.

The Officiant, facing the body, says
Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant Name Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive him into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.



Closing Hymn



The Committal

The following liturgy is used when committing the remains at a cemetary, or at the Prince of Peace memorial garden
The Officiant opens with a Scripture reading, anthem, or prayer. 
Then, when earth is cast upon the coffin (or the remains are committed to the ground) the Officiant says these words

In sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ, we commend to Almighty God our brother Name, and we commit his body to the ground [or the deep or its resting place]; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust. The Lord bless him and keep him, the Lord make his face to shine upon him and be gracious unto him, the Lord lift up his countenance upon him and give him peace. Amen.

Officiant
And now as our Savior Christ has taught us,
we are bold to pray:

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, and the power,
and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Officiant
Almighty God, with whom do live the spirits of those who depart in the Lord, and with whom the souls of the faithful are in joy and felicity: We praise and magnify your holy Name for all your servants who have finished their course and kept the faith; and committing our brother Name. to your gracious keeping, we pray that, together with him and with all those who are departed in the true faith of your holy Name, we may have our perfect consummation and bliss, both in body and soul, in your eternal and everlasting glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 Rest eternal grant to him, O Lord; and may his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. And may light perpetual shine upon them.

A Priest may bless the people saying
The God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, the great Shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.
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