About these Guidelines:
These guidelines are prepared
to help people understand Church Traditions in relation to funerals
and answer questions you may have as to how funerals are conducted
within our parish. Copies of these guidelines have been made available
throughout the community. If you are presently experiencing the
loss of a loved one, please accept our sympathy and promise to do
all we can to help you. We draw near in the love and spirit of our
Lord Jesus Christ.
THE MINISTRY OF THE
RECTOR AND THE PARISH
The rector's ministry is to lead the bereaved in and through
the rites of the church where the voice of the Gospel can be heard
with healing power and clarity. As a people of faith and hope, we
know that the pain and loss of death must not be minimized or ignored.
Our goal as a caring congregation is help you hold your grief and
faith in balance. We will stand by you and do all we can to help
you face and accept the loss of the one you love. Our Church promises
to do our best to support you - not only at the time of the funeral,
but also as you and your loved ones return to the duties of your
lives.
LOCATION OF WORSHIP
SERVICE
The Christian funeral is a service of worship and should
involve all those present. The funeral serves a support function
with the goal that the religious, social, and emotional needs of
mourners are met. In the Diocese of Central Newfoundland
all funerals conducted by clergy are to be in the parish
church . Our clergy are not permitted to conduct funeral services
in funeral homes, etc. without the permission of the Bishop.
Our Clergy must preside at the interment of any body in our cemeteries.
WORSHIP SERVICE FORMAT
Our funerals are held in the parish churches, the place
where practicing Christians have centred their lives of worship.
In our parish we offer families the choice of funeral service from
the Book of Alternative Services or The Book of Common
Prayer . In this setting, congregational singing
and participation in the prayers is encouraged.
HOW SHOULD MOURNERS
WORSHIP IN OUR TRADITION?
A Christian Funeral is a time when we pause before the
mystery of death and life . Funerals are an expression of faith
in our salvation, resurrection and eternal life. As such, we come
to worship God and rejoice in the new life he has given us beyond
death. We also gather to thank God for the gift given to us in the
person of the deceased. Funerals also express the community support
that is shown at a time of death as we pray, sing, laugh and cry
together. For these reason families should know that in
the Anglican tradition there is an expectation that those who mourn
will stand for the hymns, prayers, and the Creed as an expression
of our combined and living faith .
HOLY COMMUNION AT
THE FUNERAL
Holy Communion is encouraged at funerals, especially if
the deceased was a regular communicant. By God's grace, Holy Communion
brings peace through silence and spiritual fellowship . Holy Communion
joins our earthly praise with the praise of the hosts of heaven,
and this certainly has particular relevance to a funeral.
At a funeral, under no circumstances will the bread and wine be
received by the family of the deceased to the exclusion of the congregation.
The sacrament is for all whom have gathered.
EULOGIES AND TRIBUTES
AND THE READING OF MESSAGES
1. Eulogies and Tributes : Eulogies have
never been part of Anglican worship tradition. It is hoped that
expressions of tribute , praise and love have been given to a person
before they have died. Christian Funerals are not
to be an expression of praise of the deceased, but of how
God has worked in and through the person who has died.
2. The Reading of Messages : The reading of messages
in Church are often a limited expression of concern. A message is
no more important than any sympathy card or other expression of
concern that the bereaved may receive. To read messages at the funeral
service is to state that these are the most important. This belittles
all other expressions of sympathy
The Guidelines
Of Our Diocese State : Messages of sympathy, story
telling, secular readings and songs, being an important aspect in
the expression of grief, it is appropriate they be shared at the
funeral home or in a social setting following the service.
These are also the Guidelines of our Parish.
FRATERNAL GROUPS
Such groups, upon the consent of the rector and following
the guidelines outlined by our Diocese are welcome to take their
place in the celebration of the life of the deceased person: The
services of lodges and other organizations will not be confused
or combined with the burial office and committal. Such rites will
take place before or after the service in the church. This is done
only after consultation with the rector of the Parish.
CHANGES IN THE WORSHIP
SERVICE FORMAT
We ask people to understand that guidelines for funerals
are common throughout our diocese. What one parish does, affects
the environment of other parishes.For that reason we must staywithin
the guidelines of our Church. We will sincerely work with you to
personalise the service Because of the emotional stress involved,
the occasion of a funeral is not the time to press
for changes in accepted parish practices.
CREMATION
Cremation is becoming more common today. The ashes are the body
of the deceased in a changed form. We honour them as we honour the
body.
- - A funeral can be held
with the body present before cremation or with the cremated remains
in an urn on a table near the chancel steps. (Never on the Altar)
- - They should be reverently
buried in consecrated ground, as soon after cremation as possible.
- - The scattering of ashes
is NOT an option in our liturgies, and if a family decides not
to bury cremated remains in consecrated ground the priest
is not required or expected to be present.
- - Cremated remains may be
buried in an existing grave with the consent of the family concerned
and in accordance with the guidelines of our cemetery committees.
MUSIC SELECTIONS FOR
THE SERVICE
Music selected for use at a funeral should embody high standards
of quality, and in general reflect the spirit of Christian confidence,
trust, and hope in the resurrection. The hymns should reflect such
themes as the invocation of the Holy Spirit, the communion of saints,
hope in the resurrection. All Music selected for use at a funeral
must be approved by the rector.
1. SOLOS: One solo at the
funeral service is welcomed if the family desires.
2. CHOIR ANTHEM : One Anthem by the Choir is welcomed if the family
desires.
A Combination of these is
also welcomed if the family desires.
PRIOR TO THE SERVICE
The altar candles and paschal
candle may be lighted before the people arrive and extinguished
after they have left. When there is a choir, members will assemble
in their places quietly before the service begins. The choir does
not participate in the processions.
OTHER NOTES CONCERNING THE SERVICE
The minister, vested in alb
or surplice and white stole, will meet the coffin, the pallbearers,
and the bereaved at the entrance of the church. (The bereaved may
arrive and go to their seats prior to the beginning of the service.)
The coffin remains closed throughout the service.
The coffin is to be placed
in the position with the feet toward the altar. The position reflects
the accustomed role of the deceased in the church -- facing the
altar as part of the congregation. The paschal candle is placed
on its stand at the head of the coffin.
THE SERMON
The sermon will include recognition of the life of the
deceased, but its purpose is not eulogy, but a proclamation of hope
and comfort in Christ.
THE COMMENDATION
The Commendation is a prayer which asks God to receive the deceased
with mercy. The prayer is a concluding statement of our hope and
trust in God. It is a prayer of consolation, as we declare "all
is well because our departed loved one is now fully in His Hands."
THE
COMMITTAL
When the body of the deceased is to be transported
to a distant interment site, when it has been donated for medical
use, or has been lost at sea , the commendation alone is done in Church.
The coffin is lowered into the grave. Urns are placed in their resting
place.
Earth is cast on the coffin by the priest or one appointed by the
priest as the body is committed to its resting place. The final blessing
and dismissal is said by the minister.
VISITING
CLERGY
The Rector is responsible for the administration and
therefore is in charge of the service. If the family wishes to invite
other Anglican Clergy or clergy of other denominations, they should
first inform the rector. The role of all invited clergy at the service
is assigned by the rector.
Clergy who have been asked to participate in a funeral will be asked
to read an appointed reading chosen by the rector in consultation
with the family.
These readings
should be read without any extra commentary or introduction by the
reader.
PASTORAL
SERVICES TO MEMBERS OF ANOTHER CONGREGATION
Sometimes our clergy are asked to be involved at the
funerals of people from other churches. We affirm that the responsibility
and authority for pastoral acts or services rests with the minister
of the congregation where the deceased held membership. If our rector
(or associate clergy) is asked to provide pastoral services for members
of other congregations, the rector will contact the clergy of the
church in which the person held membership before providing the service.
Our goal is to aid other Churches in their ministry without interfering.
It is hoped that this sign of respect would be returned to us from
other clergy and Churches.
If the request for pastoral service involves an individual who has
had conflicts with his/her pastor or congregation, the immediate family
will be urged to resolve the difficulty prior to receiving pastoral
service.
FLOWERS
After the funeral, flowers may be left at the church, buried
at the grave site, or taken by family members.
BULLETINS
Bulletins outlining the service and containing information
about the deceased will be made available . This is only done upon
request by the family, provided they give the clergy ample time
to prepare.
MEMORIALS - A Powerful
Christian Testimony
Your Church does not pressure you to make memorial gifts
at the time of the death of a loved one.Often the life experiences
you have shared during illness and death will bring your family
close to the hospital, Cancer Society, Diabetes foundation etc.
Obviously, your choice of memorial should be important to you.
It is very appropriate to
donate memorials to the Church. Asking people to donate to the Church
makes a powerful statement about your life and Christian witness.
Your Church will welcome any memorials that you choose to give in
honour of your loved one with gratitude, and our rector will be
glad to meet with you at any time to discuss your needs.
PLANNED GIVING
"Remember that when you leave this
Earth, you can take with you nothing that you have received - only
what you have been given: a full heart enriched by honest service,
love, sacrifice, and courage."
St. Francis of Assisi
PREPARING YOUR OWN FUNERAL IN ADVANCE
You are encouraged to think about your own funeral.
With respect for the Church's teaching outlined in this brochure,
and in dialogue with your family, you may want to leave directions
as to how you wish your funeral to be celebrated.
Your parish and diocese have the resources and is prepared to offer
help in this area.
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