THE ORDER FOR
THE BURIAL OF THE DEAD
which may be used at the entrance to the churchyard, as the coffin is taken either into the church, or towards the grave.
The minister says
I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. John 11: 25,26
I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he
shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: I myself shall see him with my
own eyes. Job 19: 25,27a
We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. 1 Timothy 6: 7; Job 1: 21
Other sentences from page 490 may be used as required.
Psalm 39 Dixi, custodiam
1 I
said, I will take heed to my ways:
that I offend not in my tongue.
2 I
will keep my mouth as it were with a bridle:
while the ungodly is in my sight.
3 I
held my tongue, and spake nothing:
I kept silence, yea, even from good words;
but it was pain and grief to me.
4 My
heart was hot within me,
and while I was thus musing the fire kindled:
and at the last I spake with my tongue.
5 Lord,
let me know mine end, and the number of my days:
that I may be certified how long I have to live.
6 Behold,
thou hast made my days as it were a span long;
and mine age is even as nothing in respect of thee:
and verily every man living is altogether vanity.
7 For
man walketh in a vain shadow, and disquieteth himself in vain:
he heapeth up riches, and cannot tell who shall gather them.
8 And
now, Lord, what is my hope:
truly my hope is even in thee.
9 Deliver
me from all mine offences:
and make me not a rebuke unto the foolish.
10 I
became dumb, and opened not my mouth:
for it was thy doing.
11 Take
thy plague away from me:
I am even consumed by the means of thy heavy hand.
12 When
thou with rebukes dost chasten man for sin,
thou makest his beauty to consume away,
like as it were a moth fretting a garment:
every man therefore is but vanity.
13 Hear
my prayer, O Lord, and with thine ears consider my calling:
hold not thy peace at my tears.
14 For
I am a stranger with thee:
and a sojourner, as all my fathers were.
15 O
spare me a little, that I may recover my strength:
before I go hence, and be no more seen.
Glory
be to the Father,
and to the Son: and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen
or
Psalm 90 Domine, refugium
1 Lord,
thou hast been our refuge:
from one generation to another.
2 Before
the mountains were brought forth,
or ever the earth and the world were made:
thou art God from everlasting; and world without end.
3 Thou
turnest man to destruction:
again thou sayest, Come again, ye children of men.
4 For
a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday:
seeing that is past as a watch in the night.
5 As
soon as thou scatterest them they are even as a sleep:
and fade away suddenly like the grass.
6 In
the morning it is green, and groweth up:
but in the evening it is cut down, dried up, and withered.
7 For
we consume away in thy displeasure:
and are afraid at thy wrathful indignation.
8 Thou
hast set our misdeeds before thee:
and our secret sins in the light of thy countenance.
9 For
when thou art angry all our days are gone:
we bring our years to an end, as it were a tale that is told.
10 The
days of our age are threescore years and ten:
and though men be so strong that they come to fourscore years:
yet is their strength then but labour and sorrow;
so soon passeth it away, and we are gone.
11 But
who regardeth the power of thy wrath:
or feareth aright thy indignation?
12 So
teach us to number our days:
that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
13 Turn
thee again, O Lord, at the last:
and be gracious unto thy servants.
14 O
satisfy us with thy mercy, and that soon:
so shall we rejoice and be glad all the days of our life.
15 Comfort
us again now after the time that thou hast plagued us:
and for the years wherein we have suffered adversity.
16 Shew
thy servants thy work:
and their children thy glory.
17 And
the glorious majesty of the Lord our God be upon us:
prosper thou the work of our hands upon us,
O prosper thou our handywork.
Glory be to the Father ...
or
Psalm 23 Dominus regit me
1 The
Lord is my shepherd:
therefore can I lack nothing.
2 He
shall feed me in a green pasture:
and lead me forth beside the waters of comfort.
3 He
shall convert my soul:
and bring me forth in the paths of righteousness,
for his Name's sake.
4 Yea,
though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil:
for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff comfort me.
5 Thou
shalt prepare a table before me against them that trouble me:
thou hast anointed my head with oil, and my cup shall be full.
6 But
thy loving-kindness and mercy
shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Glory be to the Father ...
or
Psalm 103 Benedic, anima mea
1 Praise
the Lord, O my soul:
and all that is within me praise his holy Name.
2 Praise
the Lord, O my soul:
and forget not all his benefits;
3 Who
forgiveth all thy sin:
and healeth all thine infirmities
4 Who
saveth thy life from destruction:
and crowneth thee with mercy and loving-kindness;
5 Who
satisfieth thy mouth with good things:
making thee young and lusty as an eagle.
6 The
Lord executeth righteousness and judgement:
for all them that are oppressed with wrong
7 He
shewed his ways unto Moses:
his works unto the children of Israel.
8 The
Lord is full of compassion and mercy:
long-suffering and of great goodness
9 He
will not alway be chiding:
neither keepeth he his anger for ever.
10 He
hath not dealt with us after our sins:
nor rewarded us according to our wickednesses.
11 For
look how high the heaven is in comparison of the earth:
so great is his mercy also toward them that fear him.
12 Look
how wide also the east is from the west:
so far hath he set our sins from us.
13 Yea,
like as a father pitieth his own children:
even so is the Lord merciful unto them that fear him.
14 For
he knoweth whereof we are made:
he remembereth that we are but dust.
15 The
days of man are but as grass:
for he flourisheth as a flower of the field
16 For
as soon as the wind goeth over it, it is gone:
and the place thereof shall know it no more.
17 But
the merciful goodness of the Lord
endureth for ever and ever upon them that fear him:
and his righteousness upon children's children;
18 Even
upon such as keep his covenant:
and think upon his commandments to do them.
19 The
Lord hath prepared his seat in heaven:
and his kingdom ruleth over all.
20 O
praise the Lord ye angels of his, ye that excel in strength:
ye that fulfil his commandment,
and hearken unto the voice of his words.
21 O
praise the Lord, all ye his hosts:
ye servants of his that do his pleasure.
22 O
speak good of the Lord, all ye works of his,
in all places of his dominion:
praise thou the Lord, O my soul.
Glory be to the Father ...
Versions of the above psalms in the Church Hymnal may be used.
1
Corinthians 15: 20-58
Now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first-fruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the first-fruits; afterward they that are Christ's, at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
[For, He hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, All things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they then baptized for the dead? and why stand we in jeopardy every hour? I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die. Be not deceived: Evil communications corrupt good manners. Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.]
But someone may say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? How foolish! That which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die: and that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain; but God giveth it a body, as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. [All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differeth from another star in glory.]
So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: it is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. [And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.]
Behold, I show you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law: but thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
Verses enclosed by square brackets [ ] may be omitted.
or
1
Thessalonians 4: 13-18
I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Other readings from the list on page 484 may be preferred.
If there is a Sermon it is preached here.
Grant, O Lord, that as we are baptized into the death of thy blessed Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, so by continual mortifying our corrupt affections we may be buried with him; and that through the grave, and gate of death, we may pass to our joyful resurrection; for his merits, who died, and was buried, and rose again for us, thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Grant, O Lord, to all who are bereaved, the spirit of faith and courage, that they may have strength to meet the days to come with steadfastness and patience, not sorrowing as those without hope, but in thankful remembrance of thy great goodness in past years, and in the sure expectation of a joyful reunion in the heavenly places; and this we ask in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The minister goes before the coffin as it is carried to the grave.
Man that is born of a woman hath but a short time to live, and is full of misery. He cometh up, and is cut down, like a flower; he fleeth as it were a shadow, and never continueth in one stay.
In the midst of life we are in death: of whom may we seek for succour, but of thee, O Lord, who for our sins art justly displeased?
Yet, O Lord God most holy, O Lord most mighty, O holy and most merciful Saviour, deliver us not into the bitter pains of eternal death.
Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts; shut not thy merciful ears to our prayers; but spare us, Lord most holy, O God most mighty, O holy and merciful Saviour, thou most worthy Judge eternal, suffer us not, at our last hour, for any pains of death, to fall from thee.
While the earth is cast upon the body by some standing by, the minister says,
Forasmuch as it hath pleased Almighty God to take unto himself the soul of our dear brother .... , here departed: we therefore commit his body to the ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life, through our Lord Jesus Christ; who shall change our mortal body, that it may be like unto his glorious body, according to the mighty working, whereby he is able to subdue all things to himself.
Then shall be said or sung
Scripture says: I, John, heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, Write this, From henceforth blessed are the dead which die in the Lord; even so, saith the Spirit, for they rest from their labours. Revelation 14: 13
The minister says
Lord, have mercy upon us
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed
be thy name,
thy
kingdom come,
thy will
be done,
on earth
as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses
as we
forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Almighty God, with whom do live the spirits of them that depart hence in the Lord, and with whom the souls of the faithful, after they are delivered from the burden of the flesh, are in joy and felicity; We bless thy holy Name for all thy servants departed this life in thy faith and fear; beseeching thee that it may please thee, of thy gracious goodness, shortly to accomplish the number of thine elect, and to hasten thy kingdom; that we, with all those that are departed in the true faith of thy holy Name, may have our perfect consummation and bliss, both in body and soul, in thy eternal and everlasting glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O merciful God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the resurrection and the life; in whom whosoever believeth shall live, though he die; and whosoever liveth, and believeth in him, shall not die eternally; who also hath taught us, by his holy Apostle Saint Paul, not to be sorry, as men without hope, for them that sleep in him; We meekly beseech thee, O Father, to raise us from the death of sin unto the life of righteousness; that, when we shall depart this life, we may rest in him, as our hope is this our brother doth; and that, at the general resurrection in the last day, we may be found acceptable in thy sight; and receive that blessing, which thy well-beloved Son shall then pronounce to all that love and fear thee: Grant this, we beseech thee, O merciful Father, through Jesus Christ our Mediator and Redeemer. Amen.
The Prayers after the Committal (above) may be said in the church before the coffin leaves.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,
be with us all evermore. Amen.
When they come to the grave, if the burial ground is not consecrated, the minister shall say
O Lord Jesus Christ, who by thy burial didst sanctify an earthly sepulchre: Vouchsafe, we beseech thee, to bless and hallow this grave; that it may be a peaceful resting-place for the body of thy servant; through thy mercy, O Blessed Saviour, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.
Hymns may be sung at appropriate places in this order of service.
AN ORDER FOR
THE BURIAL OF CHILDREN
As pages 466.
Psalm 23 Dominus regit me
1 The
Lord is my shepherd:
therefore can I lack nothing.
2 He
shall feed me in a green pasture:
and lead me forth beside the waters of comfort.
3 He
shall convert my soul:
and bring me forth in the paths of righteousness,
for his Name's sake.
4 Yea,
though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil:
for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff comfort me.
5 Thou
shalt prepare a table before me against them that trouble me:
thou hast anointed my head with oil, and my cup shall be full.
6 But
thy loving-kindness and mercy
shall follow me all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Glory
be to the Father,
and to the Son: and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be, world without end.
Amen
1
Thessalonians 4: 13-18
I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
or
Revelation
21: 3-7
I heard a great voice out of heaven, saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
Other readings from the list on page 506 may be preferred.
If there is a Sermon it is preached here.
Grant, O Lord, to all who are bereaved, the spirit of faith and courage, that they may have strength to meet the days to come with steadfastness and patience, not sorrowing as those without hope, but in thankful remembrance of thy great goodness in past years, and in the sure expectation of a joyful reunion in the heavenly places; and this we ask in the Name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Appropriate prayers adapted from those on pages 510-513 may be added.
The minister goes before the coffin as it is carried to the grave.
Man that is born of a woman hath but a short time to live, and is full of misery. He cometh up, and is cut down, like a flower; he fleeth as it were a shadow, and never continueth in one stay.
In the midst of life we are in death: of whom may we seek for succour, but of thee, O Lord, who for our sins art justly displeased?
Yet, O Lord God most holy, O Lord most mighty, O holy and most merciful Saviour, deliver us not into the bitter pains of eternal death.
Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts; shut not thy merciful ears to our prayers; but spare us, Lord most holy, O God most mighty, O holy and merciful Saviour, thou most worthy Judge eternal, suffer us not, at our last hour, for any pains of death, to fall from thee.
While the earth is cast upon the body by some standing by, the minister says
Forasmuch as it hath pleased Almighty God to take unto himself the soul of this dear child .... here departed: we therefore commit his body to the ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life, through our Lord Jesus Christ; who shall change our mortal body, that it may be like unto his glorious body, according to the mighty working, whereby he is able to subdue all things to himself
Then shall be said or sung
Scripture says: These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God. Revelation 14: 4,5
The minister says
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed
be thy name,
thy
kingdom come,
thy will
be done,
on earth
as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses
as we
forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.
O Lord Jesus Christ, who didst take little children into thine arms and bless them; Open thou our eyes, we beseech thee, that we may perceive that thou hast taken this child into the arms of thy love, and blessed him with the blessings of thy gracious favour; who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.
O God, the fountain of life, whose ways are hidden and whose work is wonderful; who makest nothing in vain, and lovest that which thou hast made; Comfort the souls of thy servants, who by the death of this child are sore stricken and bereaved; and grant that they may so love and serve thee in this present life, that they, with him, may in the end obtain the fulness of thy promises, and be clothed with the perfection of glory in thy eternal kingdom; through the merits of thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
The Prayers after the Committal (above) may be said in the church before the coffin leaves.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit,
be with us all evermore. Amen.