Funerals

In death, the body ceases to function. Nevertheless, the Christian faith asserts that life goes beyond what we observe. We do not consider death as an end because of our belief that Jesus Christ overcame death to live again. We are promised in the Bible that through the resurrection of Jesus we may anticipate life after death for ourselves and others.

Society avoids talk about dying and death, and we are often ill-prepared for the ultimate stage in living. However, our Christian experience teaches us the power of faith, hope and love. After death, life continues for both the deceased and the survivors — although in a separate and different way for each. This separation results in grief — experienced by anticipation before the death, and realized most fully afterwards. Grief is a loss, a wound, an amputation which is deeply felt in a very physical way. It is natural, acceptable and very human. The grieving process can't be avoided; one can only delay it. Survivors, often without realizing, are "out of balance" for long periods of time.

A trusted "outside" person can be of immense value:

• to listen with patience
• to reflect feelings
• to help keep life in perspective

Clergy and laity will find themselves called to this role again and again.

The Bible repeatedly illustrates the appropriateness of working out emotions. Crying is okay. Tears, laughter, and the safe venting of anger are to be encouraged and accepted as a divine gift in the healing of grief. Our Lord himself wept when he received word that his friend Lazarus had died. 

A funeral service is a rite offered by the Church to:

• Mark the passing of those who have died
• To give thanks for their life
• To comfort those who mourn.

The format for the service is from the Anglican Church of Canada’s Book of Alternative Services

• This is a contemporary service which expresses the confidence and hope of our faith in the Risen Christ. This format provides opportunity for involvement by family and friends of the deceased if they so choose. 

The purpose of the rites and customs of a funeral service is to help mourners face death and move through grief to healing. All too often a family will decide to “do nothing,” rather than have either a full funeral service or even a graveside burial. This denies the family an opportunity to both honour the life of the deceased as well as to take healthy steps on the journey of grief. 

In this post-covid era there are frequently three different and possible locations for a funeral service. 

            the church

            the funeral home

            the graveside

The church or funeral home service provides opportunity for those present to:

• Give thanks for the life of the deceased family member
• Express the joy of the resurrection, even in the face of tragedy
• Explore the meaning of life, death and internal life
• Express sympathy, grief and forgiveness
• Affirm faith — in God the Father who gives life, in Jesus Christ his Lord and Saviour, and in the Holy Spirit as guide and sustainer.

Service structure, readings, music, readers, lay leaders are all arranged with the priest. Families may wish to celebrate Communion at the time of the funeral in the church as a means of affirming faith in a God who identifies with humanity in both life and death. In recognition of the equality of all in death, the coffin is covered with a "pall" or a large white cloth.

We place our emphasis on the love and mercy of God and on the ultimate joy of the resurrection of Jesus. The priest will be pleased to discuss the service arrangements with you.

Following the funeral service we move to the cemetery for the committal.

The Committal of the body to burial or to ashes at the graveside has a two-fold significance.

• The commending of a person into the hands of God
• The committing of the body to the elements.

The parish priest is always willing to accompany the family and friends if the ashes are to be interred at a later date. Following the committal, the family, now separated physically from the deceased, joins with friends for comfort and support. Telling stories about the person who has died, whether as a eulogy or over a cup of tea, is an important aspect of the funeral and proclaims the continuity of life in the face of death. Our church often provides a funeral reception for you following the service in our parish hall. 

Other rites may include:

• visits to the gravesite
• disposal of ashes
• in some cases, the establishment of suitable memorials.

• The Graveside Service

  In recent years, many families have chosen to do the entire funeral at the graveside.  This is a much shorter service, often with one scripture passage, a psalm and the appropriate prayers giving thanks for the life of the deceased, honouring the grief of those gathered, trusting in the promise of the resurrection. These prayers are followed by the commendation and committal prayers.  

At the time of death the parish priest acts on behalf of the Christian community in expressing faith and compassion. The priest should be called immediately by the family when a death occurs. She will be able to offer consolation, pastoral support and practical help in making funeral arrangements. By means of this ministry, those bereaved are helped to:

• Express feelings of grief
• To affirm Christian faith and love
• To renew hope in the light in the resurrection.

The funeral director should be called after the priest has been notified. The family can then draw upon the professional services offered. We recommend that the parish priest be called upon to support the bereaved in the proper ordering of these affairs.