The Burial of the Dead:
Rite Two
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 Resurrection and I am Life, says the Lord. Whoever has faith in me shall have life, even though he die. And everyone who has life, and has committed himself to me in faith, shall not die for ever.
As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives and that at the last he will stand upon the earth. After my awaking, he will raise me up; and in my body I shall see God. I myself shall see, and my eyes behold him who is my friend and not a stranger.
For none of us has life in himself, and none becomes his own master when he dies. For if we have life, we are alive in the Lord, and if we die, we die in the Lord. So, then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s possession.
Happy from now on are those who die in the Lord! So it is, says the Spirit, for they rest from their labors.
In the midst of life we are in death;
from whom can we seek help?
From you alone, O Lord,
who by our sins are justly angered.
Holy God, Holy and Mighty,
Holy and merciful Savior,
deliver us not into the bitterness of eternal death.
Lord, you know the secrets of our hearts;
shut not your ears to our prayers,
but spare us, O Lord.
Holy God, Holy and Mighty,
Holy and merciful Savior,
deliver us not into the bitterness of eternal death.
O worthy and eternal Judge,
do not let the pains of death
turn us away from you at our last hour.
Holy God, Holy and Mighty,
Holy and merciful Savior,
deliver us not into the bitterness of eternal death.
When all are in place, the Celebrant may address the congregation, acknowledging briefly the purpose of their gathering, and bidding their prayers for the deceased and the bereaved.
The Celebrant then says
The Lord be with you.
PeopleAnd also with you.
CelebrantLet us pray.
Silence may be kept; after which the Celebrant says one of the following Collects
At the Burial of an Adult
O God, who by the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ destroyed death, and brought life and immortality to light: Grant that your servant N., being raised with him, may know the strength of his presence, and rejoice in his eternal glory; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
At the Burial of an Adult
O God, whose mercies cannot be numbered: Accept our prayers on behalf of your servant N., and grant him an entrance into the land of light and joy, in the fellowship of your saints; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
At the Burial of an Adult
O God of grace and glory, we remember before you this day our brother (sister) N. We thank you for giving him to us, his family and friends, to know and to love as a companion on our earthly pilgrimage. In your boundless compassion, console us who mourn. 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, by your call, we are reunited with those who have gone before; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
At the Burial of a Child
O God, whose beloved Son took children into his arms and blessed them: Give us grace to entrust N., to your never-failing care and love, and bring us all to your heavenly kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Celebrant may add the following prayer
Most merciful God, whose wisdom is beyond our understanding, deal graciously with NN. in their grief. Surround them with your love, that they may not be overwhelmed by their loss, but have confidence in your goodness, and strength to meet the days to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 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.
The Liturgy of the Word
From the Old Testament
Isaiah 25:6-9
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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A suitable psalm, hymn, or canticle may follow. The following Psalms are appropriate: 42:1-7, 46, 90:1-12, 121, 130, 139:1-11.
42
QuemadmodumBCP p. 6431As the deer longs for the water-brooks, *so longs my soul for you, O God.
2My soul is athirst for God, athirst for the living God; *when shall I come to appear before the presence of God?
3My tears have been my food day and night, *while all day long they say to me, “Where now is your God?”
4I pour out my soul when I think on these things; *how I went with the multitude and led them into the house of God,
5With the voice of praise and thanksgiving, *among those who keep holy-day.
6Why are you so full of heaviness, O my soul? *and why are you so disquieted within me?
7Put your trust in God; *for I will yet give thanks to him, who is the help of my countenance, and my God.
46
Deus noster refugiumBCP p. 6491God is our refuge and strength, *a very present help in trouble.
2Therefore we will not fear, though the earth be moved, *and though the mountains be toppled into the depths of the sea;
3Though its waters rage and foam, *and though the mountains tremble at its tumult.
4The Lord of hosts is with us; *the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
5There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, *the holy habitation of the Most High.
6God is in the midst of her; she shall not be overthrown; *God shall help her at the break of day.
7The nations make much ado, and the kingdoms are shaken; *God has spoken, and the earth shall melt away.
8The Lord of hosts is with us; *the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
9Come now and look upon the works of the Lord, *what awesome things he has done on earth.
10It is he who makes war to cease in all the world; *he breaks the bow, and shatters the spear, and burns the shields with fire.
11“Be still, then, and know that I am God; *I will be exalted among the nations; I will be exalted in the earth.”
12The Lord of hosts is with us; *the God of Jacob is our stronghold.
90
Domine, refugiumBCP p. 7171Lord, you have been our refuge *from one generation to another.
2Before the mountains were brought forth, or the land and the earth were born, *from age to age you are God.
3You turn us back to the dust and say, *“Go back, O child of earth.”
4For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterday when it is past *and like a watch in the night.
5You sweep us away like a dream; *we fade away suddenly like the grass.
6In the morning it is green and flourishes; *in the evening it is dried up and withered.
7For we consume away in your displeasure; *we are afraid because of your wrathful indignation.
8Our iniquities you have set before you, *and our secret sins in the light of your countenance.
9When you are angry, all our days are gone; *we bring our years to an end like a sigh.
10The span of our life is seventy years, perhaps in strength even eighty; *yet the sum of them is but labor and sorrow, for they pass away quickly and we are gone.
11Who regards the power of your wrath? *who rightly fears your indignation?
12So teach us to number our days *that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.
121
Levavi oculumBCP p. 7791I lift up my eyes to the hills; *from where is my help to come?
2My help comes from the Lord, *the maker of heaven and earth.
3He will not let your foot be moved *and he who watches over you will not fall asleep.
4Behold, he who keeps watch over Israel *shall neither slumber nor sleep;
5The Lord himself watches over you; *the Lord is your shade at your right hand,
6So that the sun shall not strike you by day, *nor the moon by night.
7The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; *it is he who shall keep you safe.
8The Lord shall watch over your going out and your coming in, *from this time forth for evermore.
130
De profundisBCP p. 7841Out of the depths have I called to you, O Lord; Lord, hear my voice; *let your ears consider well the voice of my supplication.
2If you, Lord, were to note what is done amiss, *O Lord, who could stand?
3For there is forgiveness with you; *therefore you shall be feared.
4I wait for the Lord; my soul waits for him; *in his word is my hope.
5My soul waits for the Lord, more than watchmen for the morning, *more than watchmen for the morning.
6O Israel, wait for the Lord, *for with the Lord there is mercy;
7With him there is plenteous redemption, *and he shall redeem Israel from all their sins.
139
Domine, probastiBCP p. 7941Lord, you have searched me out and known me; *you know my sitting down and my rising up; you discern my thoughts from afar.
2You trace my journeys and my resting-places *and are acquainted with all my ways.
3Indeed, there is not a word on my lips, *but you, O Lord, know it altogether.
4You press upon me behind and before *and lay your hand upon me.
5Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; *it is so high that I cannot attain to it.
6Where can I go then from your Spirit? *where can I flee from your presence?
7If I climb up to heaven, you are there; *if I make the grave my bed, you are there also.
8If I take the wings of the morning *and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
9Even there your hand will lead me *and your right hand hold me fast.
10If I say, “Surely the darkness will cover me, *and the light around me turn to night,”
11Darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day; *darkness and light to you 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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A suitable psalm, hymn, or canticle may follow. The following Psalms are appropriate: 23, 27, 106:1-5, 116.
23
Dominus regit meBCP p. 6121The Lord is my shepherd; *I shall not be in want.
2He makes me lie down in green pastures *and leads me beside still waters.
3He revives my soul *and guides me along right pathways for his Name’s sake.
4Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil; *for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; *you have anointed my head with oil, and my cup is running over.
6Surely your 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. 6171The 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?
2When evildoers came upon me to eat up my flesh, *it was they, my foes and my adversaries, who stumbled and fell.
3Though an army should encamp against me, *yet my heart shall not be afraid;
4And though war should rise up against me, *yet will I put my trust in him.
5One thing have I asked of the Lord; one thing I seek; *that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life;
6To behold the fair beauty of the Lord *and to seek him in his temple.
7For in the day of trouble he shall keep me safe in his shelter; *he shall hide me in the secrecy of his dwelling and set me high upon a rock.
8Even now he lifts up my head *above my enemies round about me.
9Therefore I will offer in his dwelling an oblation with sounds of great gladness; *I will sing and make music to the Lord.
10Hearken to my voice, O Lord, when I call; *have mercy on me and answer me.
11You speak in my heart and say, “Seek my face.” *Your face, Lord, will I seek.
12Hide not your face from me, *nor turn away your servant in displeasure.
13You have been my helper; cast me not away; *do not forsake me, O God of my salvation.
14Though my father and my mother forsake me, *the Lord will sustain me.
15Show me your way, O Lord; *lead me on a level path, because of my enemies.
16Deliver me not into the hand of my adversaries, *for false witnesses have risen up against me, and also those who speak malice.
17What if I had not believed that I should see the goodness of the Lord *in the land of the living!
18O tarry and await the Lord’s pleasure; be strong, and he shall comfort your heart; *wait patiently for the Lord.
106
Part I
Confitemini DominoBCP p. 7411Hallelujah! Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, *for his mercy endures for ever.
2Who can declare the mighty acts of the Lord *or show forth all his praise?
3Happy are those who act with justice *and always do what is right!
4Remember me, O Lord, with the favor you have for your people, *and visit me with your saving help;
5That I may see the prosperity of your elect and be glad with the gladness of your people, *that I may glory with your inheritance.
116
Dilexi, quoniamBCP p. 7591I love the Lord, because he has heard the voice of my supplication, *because he has inclined his ear to me whenever I called upon him.
2The cords of death entangled me; the grip of the grave took hold of me; *I came to grief and sorrow.
3Then I called upon the Name of the Lord: *“O Lord, I pray you, save my life.”
4Gracious is the Lord and righteous; *our God is full of compassion.
5The Lord watches over the innocent; *I was brought very low, and he helped me.
6Turn again to your rest, O my soul. *for the Lord has treated you well.
7For you have rescued my life from death, *my eyes from tears, and my feet from stumbling.
8I will walk in the presence of the Lord *in the land of the living.
9I believed, even when I said, “I have been brought very low.” *In my distress I said, “No one can be trusted.”
10How shall I repay the Lord *for all the good things he has done for me?
11I will lift up the cup of salvation *and call upon the Name of the Lord.
12I will fulfill my vows to the Lord *in the presence of all his people.
13Precious in the sight of the Lord *is the death of his servants.
14O Lord, I am your servant; *I am your servant and the child of your handmaid; you have freed me from my bonds.
15I will offer you the sacrifice of thanksgiving *and call upon the Name of the Lord.
16I will fulfill my vows to the Lord *in the presence of all his people,
17In the courts of the Lord’s house, *in the midst of you, O Jerusalem. Hallelujah!
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 to you, Lord Christ.
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 to you, Lord Christ.
Here there may be a homily by the Celebrant, or a member of the family, or a friend.
The Apostles’ Creed may then be said, all standing. The Celebrant may introduce the Creed with these or similar words
In the assurance of eternal life given at Baptism, let us proclaim our faith and say,
Celebrant and People
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
If there is not to be a Communion, the Lord’s Prayer is said here, and the service continues with the Prayers of the People, or with one or more suitable prayers (see pages 503-505).
When there is a Communion, the following form of the Prayers of the People is used, or else the form on page 465 or 480.
For our brother (sister) N., let us pray to our Lord Jesus Christ who said, “I am Resurrection and I am Life.”
Lord, you consoled Martha and Mary in their distress; draw near to us who mourn for N., and dry the tears of those who weep.
Hear us, Lord.
You wept at the grave of Lazarus, your friend; comfort us in our sorrow.
Hear us, Lord.
You raised the dead to life; give to our brother (sister) eternal life.
Hear us, Lord.
You promised paradise to the thief who repented; bring our brother (sister) to the joys of heaven.
Hear us, Lord.
Our brother (sister) was washed in Baptism and anointed with the Holy Spirit; give him fellowship with all your saints.
Hear us, Lord.
He was nourished with your Body and Blood; grant him a place at the table in your heavenly kingdom.
Hear us, Lord.
Comfort us in our sorrows at the death of our brother (sister); let our faith be our consolation, and eternal life our hope.
Hear us, Lord.
Silence may be kept.
The Celebrant concludes with one of the following or some other prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, we commend to you our brother (sister) N., who was reborn by water and the Spirit in Holy Baptism. Grant that his death may recall to us your victory over death, and be an occasion for us to renew our trust in your Father’s love. Give us, we pray, the faith to follow where you have led the way; and where you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, to the ages of ages. Amen.
Father of all, we pray to you for N., and for all those whom we love but see no longer. Grant to them eternal rest. Let light perpetual shine upon them. May his soul and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. 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 you that in your great love you have fed us with the spiritual food and drink of the Body and Blood of your Son Jesus Christ, and have given us a foretaste of your heavenly banquet. Grant that this Sacrament may be to 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 your 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 your servant(s) with your saints,
where sorrow and pain are no more,
neither sighing, but life everlasting.
You only are immortal, the creator and maker of mankind; and we are mortal, formed of the earth, and to earth shall we return. For so did you ordain when you created me, saying, “You are dust, and to dust you shall return.” All of us go down to the dust, yet even at the grave we make our song: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Give rest, O Christ, to your servant(s) with your saints,
where sorrow and pain are no more,
neither sighing, but life everlasting.
The Celebrant, facing the body, says
Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant N. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive him into the arms of your 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 you. At your coming may the martyrs receive you, and bring you into the holy city Jerusalem.
16
The Song of Zechariah
Benedictus Dominus DeusLuke 1: 68-79
Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; *he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty savior, *born of the house of his servant David.
Through his holy prophets he promised of old, that he would save us from our enemies, *from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers *and to remember his holy covenant.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham, *to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
Free to worship him without fear, *holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life.
You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High, *for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
To give his people knowledge of salvation *by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God *the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
To shine on those who dwell in darkness and 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.
17
The Song of Simeon
Nunc DimittisLuke 2:29-32
Lord, you now have set your servant free *to go in peace as you have promised;
For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior, *whom you have prepared for all the world to see:
A Light to enlighten the nations, *and the glory of your 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 has been sacrificed for us; * therefore let us keep the feast,
Not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, *but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Alleluia.
Christ being raised from the dead will never die again; *death no longer has dominion over him.
The death that he died, he died to sin, once for all; *but the life he lives, he lives to God.
So also consider yourselves dead to sin, *and alive to God in Jesus Christ our Lord. Alleluia.
Christ has been raised from the dead, *the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.
For since by a man came death, * by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.
For as in Adam all die, *so also in Christ shall all be made alive. Alleluia.
The Committal
The following anthem or one of those on pages 491-492 is sung or said
Everyone the Father gives to me will come to me; I will never turn away anyone who believes in me.
He who raised Jesus Christ from the dead will also give new life to our mortal bodies through his indwelling Spirit. My heart, therefore, is glad, and my spirit rejoices; my body also shall rest in hope.
You will show me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy, and in your right hand are pleasures 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 to 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 also with you.
CelebrantLet us pray.
Celebrant and People
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.
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.
Other prayers may be added.
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
Alleluia. Christ is risen.
PeopleThe Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.
CelebrantLet us go forth in the name of Christ.
PeopleThanks be to God.
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 your heavenly kingdom; through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.