Guidance for Families and Friends

The Church’s Ministry at the Time of Death

The liturgy for the dead is an Easter liturgy.  If finds all its meaning in the resurrection.  Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we, too, shall be raised.

The liturgy, therefore, is characterized by joy, in the certainty 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 our Lord.”

This joy, however, does not make human grief unchristian.  The very love which 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 one we love has entered into the nearer presence of our Lord, we sorrow in sympathy with those who mourn. {The Book of Common Prayer, p. 507}

When death occurs in a Christian family, the ministrations of a priest, and the services of a mortician are of immediate and necessary concern.  Each has a specific role to play as bereaved family members and friends make funeral and burial preparations.  This leaflet is designed to offer helpful guidance to members of the church who often find themselves under family, commercial, and social pressure to depart form the normative practice of The Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church.

Funeral planning is a difficult process involving emotional stress, financial decision making and uncertainty. Without some guidance, the options and information surrounding funerals and arrangement planning can seem overwhelming at an already complicated time. Please contact The Reverend Marian Fortner at marian@stphilipsjackson.com for funeral arrangements for your loved one.