Please notify the Rector as soon as a death occurs. He will meet with you to make funeral arrangements and provide counsel as needed.
An Episcopal funeral is a service of worship to Almighty God, which will involve thanksgiving to God, not only for the life of the deceased, but for the love God has shown to us through Jesus Christ, and for the promise we have as Christians that “neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
In planning this worship service the following customs are observed:
- The liturgy of the Burial of the Dead in The Book of Common Prayer (page 469 or 491) offers both Rite I (traditional language) and Rite II (contemporary language).
- During the service the coffin or urn, if present, is covered by a special cloth called a pall or an American flag. No items are placed on or near the remains, i.e. pictures or flowers.
- The pall is removed just prior to the removal of the coffin from the church for transport to the cemetery. If a flag is used, it will be removed at the graveside.
- The Paschal Candle burns at the head of the coffin.
- Appropriate readings, music and the homily will be discussed and determined with the assistance of the priest that will preside.
- Holy Eucharist is encouraged to be a part of a Christian burial service.
Contact:
Rector: The Rev. Lisa McIndoo (lisa@holyapostlestn.net)