Alternative Funeral Service - Yr Eglwys yng Nghymru

7. THE DISPOSAL OF MORTAL REMAINS
The mortal remains of Christians should be buried in consecrated ground, except where burial
is at sea. It is appropriate that, as in baptism we were buried with Christ, so burial reminds
us of the resurrection we share with Him. Burial of mortal remains ensures that the body is
disposed of with reverence; and, placed in a Christian context with appropriate prayers, such
explicit disposal provides pastoral support to a family and a place for prayer and memories
in the ongoing bereavement process.
8. THE FUNERAL SERVICE WITHIN THE HOLY EUCHARIST
The Notes to the Order for the Holy Eucharist, as well as the Notes to the Funeral Service,
apply equally to this service. Texts are suggested at different points, but other suitable texts
may be used. In the Liturgy of the Word, there should be a Gospel reading, preceded by either
one or two other readings from the Bible.
II. A SERVICE AT HOME BEFORE THE FUNERAL
PREPARATION
At this time of sorrow the Lord is in our midst and consoles us with his word :
Blessed are the sorrowful; they shall be comforted.
These or other appropriate readings may be used:
I Corinthians 15.51-53, II Corinthians 1.3-4, I Thessalonians 4.13-15, Psalm 121,
John 11.21-25.
PRAYERS
O God, who brought us to birth, and in whose arms we die, in our grief and shock hold and
comfort us : embrace us with your love, give us hope in our confusion and grace to let go into
new life; through Jesus Christ. Amen.
These or other prayers may follow:
Funeral Services
God of grace and glory, we remember before you our brother/sister N. Give us faith to see in
death the gate of eternal life, so that in quiet confidence we may continue our course on earth,
until we are reunited with those who have died in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Heavenly Father, you are our refuge and strength. Help and comfort us today : increase our
faith, dispel our fears, revive our hope. May the Holy Spirit lift us from the darkness of our grief
to the light of your presence; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
God of all consolation, in your unending love and mercy you turn the darkness of death into
the dawn of new life. Your Son, by dying for us, conquered death and, by rising again, restored
to us eternal life. May we then go forward eagerly to meet our redeemer and, after our life on
earth, be reunited with all our brothers and sisters in that place where every tear is wiped
away and all things are made new; through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
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