FUNERALS

The Funeral Service emphasizes our faith in Jesus' victory over death and our hope in resurrection, even as we mourn our temporary separation from a loved one.

We believe that death is not the end, but the beginning of a perfect, permanent life with Christ in heaven. Through the many ceremonies and symbols that are part of our faith, we find hope in the midst of our tears.

One tradition often held is that it is correct and proper for the family to follow the coffin into the church.
This has come about by the fact that the funeral service in the Book of Common Prayer has to be held around the grave.
In those times the family and friends would gather at the church gate (lych-gate) and then follow the priest to the grave prepared for that deceased person – remembering that there could easily be more than one at a time, so following meant you went to the right place!
When services started to develop in church this procedure was so established that the family still followed the coffin into church – even when knowing where they were going.
This tradition of following is not so strong when attending a Crematorium Service – but it still happens and we do right when we acknowledge this tradition for those who feel strongly about it – it is their way of showing their respect to the deceased.

In some traditions the body of the deceased is received into the church the night before the funeral – or at some time before the service at a time that has been agreed with the church authority – and then the following items can be placed upon the coffin.

(see Common Worship – Pastoral Services p. 242 ff)

Water may be sprinkled over the coffin to recall the deceased’s baptism into Christ.

A Pall may be placed on the coffin – to symbolise the veil that is over our minds in this world which will be removed by Christ in the next world.

A Bible may be placed on the coffin to remind us of the imperishable word of God and the promises it contains of new life in Christ Jesus.

A Cross may be placed on the coffin to remind us of the sacrifice Jesus made for the forgiveness of our sins, and our dependence upon his love for us in this life and in the resurrection.