Preparing an Episcopal Funeral

Rob Boulter, Kenneth Koehler

• Publisher: Morehouse Publishing
• Year: 2014
• Print ISBN: 9780819229168
• eBook ISBN: 9780819229175
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Christian Denominations

Funeral planning is one of the most challenging things a family or priest may ever do, whether it is honoring the death of a loved one or long-time member of the congregation. This simple guide explains the Episcopal theology of celebrating a life alongside grief, while offering practical guidelines and forms for planning and arranging funerals. All content is in accordance to the Book of Common Prayer (1979) and approved liturgical supplementary materials.

Scripture Readings

Introduction

The Starting Place

Begin the planning for a funeral or memorial service by selecting the scripture that will be read. The Book of Common Prayer (BCP) lists the scriptures to be used at the service. As a family, you will want to select scriptures that carry special meaning for you; decide on these with the help of your priest. Consider if any of these passages held special meaning for the one who has died. (Consult the form on p. 53, if filled in.)

The Episcopal Church has authorized the use of a number of Bible translations, including the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible (NRSV), the King James or Authorized Version (the historic Bible of The Episcopal Church), the New American Bible, the New International Version and the Revised Standard Version. If you wish, check with your priest to identify additional Bible versions approved for use.

The passages below are from the NRSV, unless otherwise noted.

What Is Required

The instruction in the BCP reads, “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” (pp. 470, 494). The minimal requirement is to have a single passage from scripture. There is no maximum number that can be used.

Three passages is usually a good number—read one passage from Hebrew Scripture (Old Testament) or one from the New Testament, then a psalm, then conclude with a gospel passage.

If a Eucharist is included in the service, a gospel passage is required.

A Note about the Psalms

Consider including a psalm as one of the scripture passages because they have powerful language about grief, loss and hope. If the psalm is prayed together, then all who have gathered can participate and lend their voices to expressions of trust in God even at a profound time of loss. The psalm can be prayed in unison or read responsively with the officiant or reader alternating verses with the congregation. (Some psalms lend themselves more easily to responsive reading, especially for participants unfamiliar with this form of community response.)

There are two translations of the psalms that are typically used in Episcopal services: The traditional Rite One version and the Rite Two contemporary language version—both versions are included below. The psalms were meant to be sung when they were first written, and there are many hymn settings of psalm texts if the family would prefer to sing the psalm.

Poetry or Other Non-Scripture Readings

Readings from other sources may be included in the service, however it is with the officiating minister’s discretion. It is always best to seek guidance from the clergy before selecting readings that are not from scripture.

Hebrew Scripture

Isaiah 25:6-9

He will swallow up death forever.

On this mountain the LORD of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear. And he will destroy on this mountain the shroud that is cast over all peoples, the sheet that is spread over all nations; he will swallow up death forever. Then the LORD GOD will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the LORD has spoken. It will be said on that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us. This is the LORD for whom we have waited; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.

Isaiah 61:1-3

Comfort those who mourn.

The spirit of the LORD GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to provide for those who mourn in Zion—to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, to display his glory.

Lamentations 3:22-26, 31-33

The Lord is good to those who wait for him.

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” The LORD is good to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. For the LORD will not reject forever. Although he causes grief, he will have compassion according...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• Foreword
• How to Use this Booklet
• Coping with Death
• Guidelines for Planning a Funeral
• Scripture Readings
• Music Suggestions
• Worksheets