Funerals and Memorial Services
Burial of the Dead
The liturgy for the dead is an
Easter liturgy. It 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 Jesus
our Lord.
The death of a member of the Church should be reported to the
parish office as soon as possible and the family should
immediately arrange to meet with the parish clergy. No final plans
should be made before this consultation. Call the parish office at
617-484-2228 to coordinate securing the date and time of the
service with the priest who has been caring for the deceased or
with the priest who has been assigned to officiate at the
funeral. Only after a consultation with the parish clergy should
funeral notices be written, readers invited to participate in the
service, or reception arrangements be made. An organist is
available for a fee.
A priest on the staff at All Saints’ Church normally presides
at the service. It is appropriate that the bishop, when present,
preside at the Eucharist and pronounce the commendation. Visiting
priests, at the invitation of the family and in consultation with
the parish clergy, can assist in the celebration. If the family
invites a visiting priest to officiate at the service, they are
responsible for travel and any other costs involved as well as for
an honorarium.
Types of Services
There are three types of services for
the departed:
• A funeral is the liturgy for the Burial of
the Dead with the body present, either in a coffin or as ashes in
an urn. It is usually held within a few days of the person's
death.
• A graveside service is a brief liturgy that usually follows
the funeral directly, but can take place sometime after if the
circumstances require it. The same liturgy is used for the casting
of ashes or for burial at sea.
• A memorial service is a liturgy without either the body or
ashes. It can be held anytime from a few days to a few weeks after
death. A Homily is preached by a clergyperson. One other person
may be invited to make some memorial remarks (three minutes).
All services are either according to The Burial of the Dead as set
forth in The Book of Common Prayer, or they are designed to
conform to the intent and pattern of it.