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Funerals at CHS
"...to your faithful people, Lord, life is changed, not ended..."
-The Book of Common Prayer, p. 382
A Christian Perspective on Death
The Book of Common Prayer gives us a
helpful way to think about death and our service for
burials. It tells us,
"The liturgy for the dead is an Easter liturgy.
It finds all its meaning in the resurrection.
Because Jesus was raised form the dead, we, too,
shall be raised. The liturgy, therefore, is
characterized by joy, in the certainty [as St.
Paul said] 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.' This joy, however, does not make human grief
unchristian. The very love we have for each other in
Christ brings deep sorrow when we are parted by
death. Jesus himself wept at the grave of his
friend. so, while we rejoice that the one we love
has entered into the nearer presence of our Lord, we
sorrow in sympathy with those who mourn." (p.
507)
Our assurance as Christians, as our Catechism
teaches, "is that nothing, not even death, shall
separate us from the love of God which is in Christ
Jesus our Lord. Our hope is to live "with confidence
in the newness and fullness of life," knowing that
in death life is changed, not ended," and that
"there is prepared for us a dwelling place eternal
in the heavens." In everlasting life, as the
Catechism teaches, "we are united with all the
people of God, in the joy of fully knowing and
loving God and each other."
Arranging a Funeral
For those wishing to leave instructions as to their
wishes for their own funerals, a form for this, and
a consultation with the Rector, are available
through the parish office.
When a member of the Church dies the Rector should
be called as soon as possible. The Rector may also
be called when a person is near death. The Rector
can say the rite for Ministration at the Time of
Death, and help you begin to plan the funeral when
that time comes.
Baptized Christians are properly buried from the
church, not a funeral home. In the church we are
surrounded by symbols of our faith, and by our
Christian community. Funerals are arranged at times
convenient for the family, the church, and the
funeral director. Funerals usually take place about
three days after the person has died, but this can
vary depending on the circumstances. There should be
sufficient time for making arrangements, but also
for moving through the grieving process. The
Episcopal burial liturgy is full of comfort and
speaks richly of God's unending love for us all;
people find it singularly helpful at times of loss.
Burial of the body and cremation are both options in
the Episcopal Church practice. The committal of the
body may take place prior to cremation or before the
service in the church, if desired. Cremated remains
may be buried or otherwise reverently dispersed.
When the body is present in the church, the coffin
is closed before the service, and remains closed
thereafter. It is appropriate that the coffin be
covered with a pall or other suitable covering. At
the Church of the Holy Spirit, a pall provided by
the Church is also available. Cremated remains may
also be present.
The Liturgy
When planning a funeral service, remember that the
service is for the living, who will want to
celebrate and give thanks for the life of the
departed.
Although Communion does not have to be part of the
liturgy for the Burial of the Dead, a celebration of
the Holy Eucharist is always appropriate at the
funeral of a Christian and is encouraged. Our
Eucharistic liturgy speaks powerfully of the
resurrection faith and God's undying love, shown to
us in Jesus Christ, and known through the sacrament
of bread and wine, the Body and Blood of Christ.
The Book of Common Prayer provides for burial
according to both Rite I and Rite II, found on pages
468-507 of the Prayer Book. Choices are given in the
Prayer Book for scripture readings and psalms.
Appropriate readings from other sources, in addition
to the Bible, may also be included if desired, in
consultation with the Rector. The Rector will preach
a brief homily at the funeral. Others may also be
invited to speak, if desired.
As at all liturgies, music should be appropriate for
the occasion. As celebrations of the resurrection,
Easter hymns are particularly appropriate at
funerals, in addition to those in the Burial section
of the Hymnal. A list of hymns suggested for the
various parts of the burial liturgy is available
from the parish office. Generally, hymns should be
drawn from the resources of the church, and express
the hope and faith that Christians affirm in the
presence of death.
Flowers for the altar may be sent from a florist or
funeral home. Florists should call the church to
arrange a convenient time for delivery.
The Church Burial Yard
Burial of cremated remains in the Church of the Holy
Spirit Churchyard is available to members of the
Church. Plots around the perimeter of the Churchyard
are available for $300; these plots are marked with
a simple flat stone marker set in the ground. Burial
of cremated remains elsewhere in the memorial
grounds, without a marker, is available for $100.
Additional fees of $35 cover the costs of markers,
and opening and closing the grave. Complete
information about the Church of the Holy Spirit
Churchyard is available from the Parish Office.
Memorial and Endowment Funds
Mindful that all we have comes from God, the Prayer
Book teaches "the duty...of all persons to make
wills, while they are in health, arranging for the
disposal of their temporal goods, not neglecting, if
they are able, to leave bequests for religious and
charitable use" (p. 445). Accordingly, we trust that
members of the Church of the Holy Spirit will
remember CHS in their wills.
Gifts in memory of loved ones may be made to the
Church's Memorial Fund. These funds are used to
purchase items for permanent use in the church,
usually in connection with the Church's liturgical
ministry.
Bequests given for the church's Endowment Fund will
help build up this Fund and ensure the continuance
of the Church's ministry in Wayland and MetroWest.
Fees for Funerals
There is no fee for the use of the church for a
funeral. The fee for the organist is set according
to current standards of the Boston Chapter of the
American Guild of Organists and the Association of
Anglican Musicians. This fee is normally paid
through the funeral director. Gifts of Sunday
flowers in memory of loved ones are always welcome;
a gift of $50 to cover their cost is suggested.
An offering may be given to the Rector's
Discretionary Fund, but none is required. |
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