The Burial of the Dead:
Rite One
All stand while one or more of the following anthems are sung or said.
A hymn, psalm, or some other suitable anthem may be sung instead.
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.
I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth; and though this body be destroyed, yet shall I see God; whom I shall see for myself and mine eyes shall behold, and not as a stranger.
For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. For if we live, we live unto the Lord; and if we die, we die unto the Lord. Whether we live, therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.
Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord; even so saith the Spirit, for they rest from their labors.
The Celebrant says one of the following Collects, first saying
The Lord be with you.
PeopleAnd with thy spirit.
CelebrantLet us pray.
At the Burial of an Adult
O God, whose mercies cannot be numbered: Accept our prayers on behalf of thy servant N., and grant him an entrance into the land of light and joy, in the fellowship of thy saints; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
At the Burial of a Child
O God, whose beloved Son did take little children into his arms and bless them: Give us grace, we beseech thee, to entrust this child N. to thy never-failing care and love, and bring us all to thy heavenly kingdom; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The people sit.
One or more of the following passages from Holy Scripture is read. If there is to be a Communion, a passage from the Gospel always concludes the Readings.
From the Old Testament
Isaiah 25:6-9
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From the Old Testament
Isaiah 61:1-3
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From the Old Testament
Lamentations 3:22-26, 31-33
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From the Old Testament
Wisdom 3:1-5, 9
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From the Old Testament
Job 19:21-27a
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After the Old Testament Lesson, a suitable canticle or one of the following Psalms may be sung or said
42
QuemadmodumBCP p. 4711Like as the hart desireth the water-brooks, *so longeth my soul after thee, O God.
2My soul is athirst for God, yea, even for the living God; *when shall I come to appear before the presence of God?
3My tears have been my meat day and night, *while they daily say unto me, Where is now thy God?
4Now when I think thereupon, I pour out my heart by myself; *for I went with the multitude, and brought them forth into the house of God
5In the voice of praise and thanksgiving, *among such as keep holy-day.
6Why art thou so full of heaviness, O my soul? *and why art thou so disquieted within me?
7O put thy trust in God; *for I will yet thank him, which is the help of my countenance, and my God.
46
Deus noster refugiumBCP p. 4711God is our hope and strength, *a very present help in trouble.
2Therefore will we not fear, though the earth be moved, *and though the hills be carried into the midst of the sea;
3Though the waters thereof rage and swell, *and though the mountains shake at the tempest of the same.
4There is a river, the streams whereof make glad the city of God, *the holy place of the tabernacle of the Most Highest.
5God is in the midst of her, therefore shall she not be removed; *God shall help her, and that right early.
6Be still then, and know that I am God; *I will be exalted among the nations, and I will be exalted in the earth.
7The Lord of hosts is with us; *the God of Jacob is our refuge.
90
Domine, refugiumBCP p. 4721Lord, thou hast been our refuge, *from one generation to another.
2Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever the earth and the world were made, *thou art God from everlasting, and world without end.
3Thou turnest man to destruction; *again thou sayest, Come again, ye children of men.
4For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, *and as a watch in the night.
5As soon as thou scatterest them they are even as a sleep, *and fade away suddenly like the grass.
6In the morning it is green, and groweth up; *but in the evening it is cut down, dried up, and withered.
7For we consume away in thy displeasure, *and are afraid at thy wrathful indignation.
8Thou hast set our misdeeds before thee, *and our secret sins in the light of thy countenance.
9For when thou art angry all our days are gone; *we bring our years to an end, as it were a tale that is told.
10The 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 labor and sorrow, so soon passeth it away, and we are gone.
11So teach us to number our days, *that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
121
Levavi oculosBCP p. 4731I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills; *from whence cometh my help?
2My help cometh even from the Lordwho hath made heaven and earth.
3He will not suffer thy foot to be moved, *and he that keepeth thee will not sleep.
4Behold, he that keepeth Israel *shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5The Lord himself is thy keeper; *the Lord is thy defence upon thy right hand;
6So that the sun shall not burn thee by day, *neither the moon by night.
7The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil; *yea, it is even he that shall keep thy soul.
8The Lord shall preserve thy going out, and thy coming in, *from this time forth for evermore.
130
De profundisBCP p. 4741Out of the deep have I called unto thee, O Lord; *Lord, hear my voice.
2O let thine ears consider well *the voice of my complaint.
3If thou Lord, wilt be extreme to mark what is done amiss, *O Lord, who may abide it?
4For there is mercy with thee, *therefore shalt thou be feared.
5I look for the Lord; my soul doth wait for him; in his word is my trust.
7My soul fleeth unto the Lord before the morning watch; *I say, before the morning watch.
8O Israel, trust in the Lord, for with the Lord there is mercy, *and with him is plenteous redemption.
139
Domine, probastiBCP p. 4741O Lord, thou hast searched me out, and known me. *Thou knowest my down-sitting and mine up-rising; thou understandest my thoughts long before.
2Thou art about my path, and about my bed, *and art acquainted with all my ways.
3For lo, there is not a word in my tongue, *But thou, O Lord, knowest it altogether.
4Thou hast beset me behind and before, *and laid thine hand upon me.
5Such knowledge is too wonderful and excellent for me; *I cannot attain unto it.
6Whither shall I go then from thy Spirit? *or whither shall I go then from thy presence?
7If I climb up into heaven, thou art there; *if I go down to hell, thou art there also.
8If I take the wings of the morning, *and remain in the uttermost parts of the sea;
9Even there also shall thy hand lead me, *and thy right hand shall hold me.
10If I say, Peradventure the darkness shall cover me, *then shall my night be turned to day.
11Yea, the darkness is no darkness with thee, but the night is as clear as day; *the darkness and light to thee are both alike.
From the New Testament
Romans 8:14-19, 34-35, 37-39
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From the New Testament
1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 35-38, 42-44, 53-58
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From the New Testament
2 Corinthians 4:16-5:9
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From the New Testament
1 John 3:1-2
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From the New Testament
Revelation 7:9-17
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From the New Testament
Revelation 21:2-7
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After the New Testament Lesson, a suitable canticle or hymn, or one of the following Psalms may be sung or said
23
Dominus regit meBCP p. 3761The Lord is my shepherd; *therefore can I lack nothing.
2He shall feed me in a green pasture, *and lead me forth beside the waters of comfort.
3He shall convert my soul, *and bring me forth in the paths of righteousness for his Name’s sake.
4Yea, 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.
5Thou shalt prepare a table before me in the presence of them that trouble me; *thou hast anointed my head with oil, and my cup shall be full.
6Surely 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.
23
King James VersionBCP p. 3761The Lord is my shepherd; *I shall not want.
2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; *he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3He restoreth my soul; *He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his Name’s sake.
4Yea, 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, they comfort me.
5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; *thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, *and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
27
Dominus illuminatioBCP p. 4771The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom then shall I fear? *the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom then shall I be afraid?
2One thing have I desired of the Lord, which I will require, *even that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the fair beauty of the Lord, and to visit his temple.
3For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his tabernacle; *yea, in the secret place of his dwelling shall he hide me, and set me up upon a rock of stone.
4And now shall he lift up mine head *above mine enemies round about me.
5Therefore will I offer in his dwelling an oblation with great gladness; *I will sing and speak praises unto the Lord.
6Hearken unto my voice, O Lord, when I cry unto thee; *have mercy upon me, and hear me.
7My heart hath talked of thee, Seek ye my face. *Thy face, Lord, will I seek.
8O hide not thou thy face from me, *nor cast thy servant away in displeasure.
9I should utterly have fainted, *but that I believe verily to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
10O tarry thou the Lord’s leisure; *be strong, and he shall comfort thine heart; and put thou thy trust in the Lord.
106
Confitemini DominoBCP p. 4781O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious, *and his mercy endureth for ever.
2Who can express the noble acts of the Lord, *or show forth all his praise?
3Blessed are they that alway keep judgment, *and do righteousness.
4Remember me, O Lord, according to the favor that thou bearest unto thy people; *O visit me with thy salvation;
5That I may see the felicity of thy chosen, *and rejoice in the gladness of thy people, and give thanks with thine inheritance.
116
Dilexi, quoniamBCP p. 5781My delight is in the Lord, *because he hath heard the voice of my prayer;
2Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, *therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.
3The snares of death compassed me round about, *and the pains of hell gat hold upon me.
4I found trouble and heaviness; then called I upon the Name of the Lord; *O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul.
5Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; *yea, our God is merciful.
6The Lord preserveth the simple; *I was in misery, and he helped me.
7Turn again then unto thy rest, O my soul, *for the Lord hath rewarded thee.
8And why? thou hast delivered my soul from death, *mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.
9I will walk before the Lord *in the land of the living.
10I will pay my vows now in the presence of all his people; *right dear in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.
Then, all standing, the Deacon or Minister appointed reads the Gospel, first saying
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
PeopleGlory be to thee, O Lord.
The Gospel
John 5:24-27
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The Gospel
John 6:37-40
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The Gospel
John 10:11-16
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The Gospel
John 11:21-27
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The Gospel
John 14:1-6
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At the end of the Gospel, the Reader says
The Gospel of the Lord.
PeoplePraise be to thee, O Christ.
A homily may be preached, the people being seated.
The Apostles’ Creed may be said, all standing.
If there is not to be a Communion, the Lord’s Prayer is said here, and the service continues with the following prayer of intercession, or with one or more suitable prayers (see pages 487-489).
When there is a Communion, the following serves for the Prayers of the People.
The People respond to every petition with Amen.
The Deacon or other leader says
In peace, let us pray to the Lord. Almighty God, who hast knit together thine elect in one communion and fellowship, in the mystical body of thy Son Christ our Lord: Grant, we beseech thee, to thy whole Church in paradise and on earth, thy light and thy peace. Amen.
Grant that all who have been baptized into Christ’s death and resurrection may die to sin and rise to newness of life, and that through the grave and gate of death we may pass with him to our joyful resurrection. Amen.
Grant to us who are still in our pilgrimage, and who walk as yet by faith, that thy Holy Spirit may lead us in holiness and righteousness all our days. Amen.
Grant to thy faithful people pardon and peace, that we may be cleansed from all our sins, and serve thee with a quiet mind. Amen.
Grant to all who mourn a sure confidence in thy fatherly care, that, casting all their grief on thee, they may know the consolation of thy love. Amen.
Give courage and faith to those who are bereaved, that they may have strength to meet the days ahead in the comfort of a reasonable and holy hope, in the joyful expectation of eternal life with those they love. Amen.
Help us, we pray, in the midst of things we cannot understand, to believe and trust in the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, and the resurrection to life everlasting. Amen.
Grant us grace to entrust N. to thy never-failing love; receive him into the arms of thy mercy, and remember him according to the favor which thou bearest unto thy people. Amen.
Grant that, increasing in knowledge and love of thee, he may go from strength to strength in the life of perfect service in thy heavenly kingdom. Amen.
Grant us, with all who have died in the hope of the resurrection, to have our consummation and bliss in thy eternal and everlasting glory, and, with [blessed N. and] all thy saints, to receive the crown of life which thou dost promise to all who share in the victory of thy Son Jesus Christ; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
When there is no Communion, the service continues with the Commendation, or with the Committal.
At the Eucharist.
The service continues with the Peace and the Offertory.
In place of the usual postcommunion prayer, the following is said
Almighty God, we thank thee that in thy great love thou hast fed us with the spiritual food and drink of the Body and Blood of thy Son Jesus Christ, and hast given unto us a foretaste of thy heavenly banquet. Grant that this Sacrament may be unto us a comfort in affliction, and a pledge of our inheritance in that kingdom where there is no death, neither sorrow nor crying, but the fullness of joy with all thy saints; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
If the body is not present, the service continues with the [blessing and] dismissal.
Unless the Committal follows immediately in the church, the following Commendation is used.
The Commendation
The Celebrant and other ministers take their places at the body.
This anthem, or some other suitable anthem, or a hymn, may be sung or said.
Give rest, O Christ, to thy servant(s) with thy saints,
where sorrow and pain are no more,
neither sighing, but life everlasting.
Thou only art immortal, the creator and maker of mankind; and we are mortal, formed of the earth, and unto earth shall we return. For so thou didst ordain when thou createdst me, saying, “Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” All we go down to the dust; yet even at the grave we make our song: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Give rest, O Christ, to thy servant(s) with thy saints, where sorrow and pain are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting.
The Celebrant, facing the body, says
Into thy hands, O merciful Savior, we commend thy servant N. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech thee, a sheep of thine own fold, a lamb of thine own flock, a sinner of thine own redeeming. Receive him into the arms of thy mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.
The Celebrant, or the Bishop if present, may then bless the people, and a Deacon or other Minister may dismiss them, saying
Let us go forth in the name of Christ.
Thanks be to God.
As the body is borne from the church, a hymn, or one or more of these anthems may be sung or said
Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and giving life to those in the tomb.
The Sun of Righteousness is gloriously risen, giving light to those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death.
The Lord will guide our feet into the way of peace, having taken away the sin of the world.
Christ will open the kingdom of heaven to all who believe in his Name, saying, Come, O blessed of my Father; inherit the kingdom prepared for you.
Into paradise may the angels lead thee. At thy coming may the martyrs receive thee, and bring thee into the holy city Jerusalem.
4
The Song of Zechariah
Benedictus Dominus DeusLuke 1: 68-79
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, *for he hath visited and redeemed his people;
And hath raised up a mighty salvation for us *in the house of his servant David,
As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, *which have been since the world began:
That we should be saved from our enemies, *and from the hand of all that hate us;
To perform the mercy promised to our forefathers, *and to remember his holy covenant;
To perform the oath which he sware to our forefather Abraham, *that he would give us,
That we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies *might serve him without fear,
In holiness and righteousness before him, *all the days of our life.
And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest, *for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
To give knowledge of salvation unto his people *for the remission of their sins,
Through the tender mercy of our God, *whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us;
To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, *and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
5
The Song of Simeon
Nunc DimittisLuke 2:29-32
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, *according to thy word;
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, *which thou hast prepared before the face of all people,
To be a light to lighten the Gentiles, *and to be the glory of thy people Israel.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Christ our Passover
Pascha Nostrum
1 Corinthians 5:7-8; Romans 6:9-11; 1 Corinthians 15:20-22
Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; * therefore let us keep the feast,
Not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness, *but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Alleluia.
Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; *death hath no more dominion over him.
For in that he died, he died unto sin once; *but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, *but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Alleluia.
Christ is 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. Alleluia.
The Committal
The following anthem is sung or said
In the midst of life we are in death; of whom may we seek for succor, 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 Savior, 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 prayer; but spare us, Lord most holy, O God most mighty, O holy and merciful Savior, thou most worthy Judge eternal. Suffer us not, at our last hour, through any pains of death, to fall from thee.
All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
He that raised up Jesus from the dead will also give life to our mortal bodies, by his Spirit that dwelleth in us.
Wherefore my heart is glad, and my spirit rejoiceth; my flesh also shall rest in hope.
Thou shalt show me the path of life; in thy presence is the fullness of joy, and at thy right hand there is pleasure for evermore.
Then, while earth is cast upon the coffin, the Celebrant says these words
In sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ, we commend to Almighty God our brother N.; and we commit his body to the ground; * earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust. The Lord bless him and keep him, the Lord make his face to shine upon him and be gracious unto him, the Lord lift up his countenance upon him and give him peace. Amen.
* Or the deep, or the elements, or its resting place.
The Celebrant says
The Lord be with you.
PeopleAnd with thy spirit.
CelebrantLet us pray.
Celebrant and People
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. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Then the Celebrant may say
O Almighty God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, who by a voice from heaven didst proclaim, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord: Multiply, we beseech thee, to those who rest in Jesus the manifold blessings of thy love, that the good work which thou didst begin in them may be made perfect unto the day of Jesus Christ. And of thy mercy, O heavenly Father, grant that we, who now serve thee on earth, may at last, together with them, be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; for the sake of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
In place of this prayer, or in addition to it, the Celebrant may use any of the Additional Prayers.
Then may be said.
Rest eternal grant to him, O Lord;
And let light perpetual shine upon him.
May his soul, and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
The Celebrant dismisses the people with these words
The God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, the great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant: Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight; through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
The Consecration of a Grave
If the grave is in a place that has not previously been set apart for Christian burial, the Priest may use the following prayer, either before the service of Committal or at some other convenient time
O God, whose blessed Son was laid in a sepulcher in the garden: Bless, we pray, this grave, and grant that he whose body is (is to be) buried here may dwell with Christ in paradise, and may come to thy heavenly kingdom; through thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.