Funeral...Did you know?
The liturgy (worship service) for the dead is an Easter liturgy. It finds all its meaning in the resurrection. Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we, too, shall be raised. The liturgy, therefore, is characterized by joy, in the certainty that "neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, 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."
This joy, however, does not make human grief unchristian. The very love we have for each other in Christ brings deep sorrow when we are parted by death. Jesus himself wept at the grave of his friend Lazarus. So, while we rejoice that one we love has entered into the nearer presence of our Lord, we sorrow in sympathy with those who mourn.
The death of a member of the Church should be reported as soon as possible to the priest so that he can respond pastorally. Also check with the priest regarding the time and date for a funeral prior to making a selection. Note that only members in good standing are buried from the Church. It's inappropriate to have a formal Church service for a person who didn’t belong to the Church, or who never attended due to apathy; it’s one of the privileges of membership. The Rector will be happy to officiate the burial of a non-member at the funeral home.
Coffins are always closed prior to the service, and remain closed thereafter. The casket is covered with a liturgical pall to provide dignity and honor for the body.
For Christians, it is especially appropriate to celebrate the burial of the dead within the context of Holy Communion, as this sacrament is the common union of all God's Holy Ones (the Communon of Saints), living and dead. All Christians are alive in Christ Jesus, even in death. All participate in worshiping Jesus wherever he is glorified. That is, wherever Jesus is, so are they. The altar, not the cemetery, is where we are closest to our departed loved ones, who now live a fuller life in Jesus. The angels and archangels, and all the company of heaven surround us as a great cloud of witnesses, supporting, encouraging, and worshiping alongside of us at every celebration of the Holy Eucharist.
This joy, however, does not make human grief unchristian. The very love we have for each other in Christ brings deep sorrow when we are parted by death. Jesus himself wept at the grave of his friend Lazarus. So, while we rejoice that one we love has entered into the nearer presence of our Lord, we sorrow in sympathy with those who mourn.
The death of a member of the Church should be reported as soon as possible to the priest so that he can respond pastorally. Also check with the priest regarding the time and date for a funeral prior to making a selection. Note that only members in good standing are buried from the Church. It's inappropriate to have a formal Church service for a person who didn’t belong to the Church, or who never attended due to apathy; it’s one of the privileges of membership. The Rector will be happy to officiate the burial of a non-member at the funeral home.
Coffins are always closed prior to the service, and remain closed thereafter. The casket is covered with a liturgical pall to provide dignity and honor for the body.
For Christians, it is especially appropriate to celebrate the burial of the dead within the context of Holy Communion, as this sacrament is the common union of all God's Holy Ones (the Communon of Saints), living and dead. All Christians are alive in Christ Jesus, even in death. All participate in worshiping Jesus wherever he is glorified. That is, wherever Jesus is, so are they. The altar, not the cemetery, is where we are closest to our departed loved ones, who now live a fuller life in Jesus. The angels and archangels, and all the company of heaven surround us as a great cloud of witnesses, supporting, encouraging, and worshiping alongside of us at every celebration of the Holy Eucharist.
