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.