Continue Reading for Additional Funeral Ceremonies
I am going to present this service in the general format of a ceremony for strangers to the family and a setting in a funeral chapel not a church. The wording may be read aloud.
GENERAL SERVICE
Opening Scripture:
(Isaiah 43:1-3)
INVOCATION
O Lord, God of life and death, our ever-present help when we mourn, the eternal one who never does impose pain and death upon us willingly, give us the ability in this time of sorrow to bow before you in worship as our divine protector and source of love. Comfort those who are burdened with sorrow. Heal those who are filled with regrets. Speak to each of us through your holy Word that we may know Jesus Christ as the door to eternal life, In whose name we pray.
Amen.
The Lord's Prayer
(May be read by the minister or recited by the those attending)
(Psalms 23:1-4)
Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.
Thomas said to him, Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?
Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
(John 14:1-6)
CLOSING PRAYER:
Almighty and everlasting God, the comforter of those who mourn, the strength of those who are weak, lift us up upon the wings of your eternal promise in Christ as we reflect upon the words we have heard and as we contemplate our own relationship with you Spirit. Where there is doubt, put faith. Where there is misunderstanding provide wisdom. Where there is guilt, pour out your forgiveness. Where there is fear, instill you peace.
We thank you for the good memories of the life we honor.
BENEDICTION:
May the God of peace equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever.
Amen.
The funeral planning information would be much more useful in a downloadable / printable format. I've created this document and attached it. Please use the following wording with a hypertext link to the document:
