Funeral Liturgy Master St. Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal Church San Francisco, California
This script provides a framework from which a Funeral Liturgy may be built. This script should stay in its original form so that each Funeral may be crafted as a separate document. The script may be revised or augmented as necessary.
Funeral Script
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rev. 7/12/07
Setup Rotunda ! Icon on wooden stand ! Lit candle on tall candlestand
Welcome Table ! Guestbook ! Single-stem flowers (enough for each member of the congregation) in baskets
Altar Table ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !
vested with cloth 4 goblets (adjust for projected size of congregation) 2 patens (adjust…) Missal 2 palls folded on right and left of the Table Photos of the deceased Altar lamps lit Alien egg (with small hole) below right edge of Table for processional cross
Seating Area ! Music books w/inserts at people’s seats ! Deacon 2’s chair marked with maniple ! Flyers with “Reserved for Family” placed on chairs in front rows
Presider’s Chair ! ! ! ! ! !
Large brass candlesticks Processional cross in stand On Presider’s right: handbells, kleenex, pen On Presider’s left: collect book, cough drops, script, glass of water 3 smaller pot bells in a row and striker on edge of platform to Cantor’s right largest bell on floor to left of Cantor’s chair
Vestry ! Ashes of deceased ! Gospel Book ! Processional Cross
Kitchen ! Ewer w 1/3 to /1/2 bottle wine in it ! loaves of bread, adjusted for size of congregation
Funeral Script
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Liturgy of the Word Entrance
Cantor
People
Enter in quiet and take their seats.
Deacon 2
Softly rings gong by vestry door.
We’ll sing Number ____, “_________________.” Number ____. Cantor
Leads Congregation in hymn.
Clergy
Process to seating area and place cremains and other objects at Shinto shrine.
Order of Procession Deacon 2 (Cross [Candle?]) Deacon 1 (Book) Icon Presider (Ashes) Special Items (picture, etc) Thurible(s)
Funeral Script
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The following text, or another, is read from the table,
Presider
We have come together to remember before God the life of N., to bless these, his ashes and to commend her to God’s keeping. We are also here in sympathy and love to comfort (names), and all who mourn with a proclamation of our hope and God’s promise that dying in Christ, we may rise in Christ to life eternal.
Cantor
We’ll sing Number ___, “___________________.” Number ___. Cantor
leads Congregation in hymn.
Clergy
process to their places.
Deacons 1 and 2 light candles in seating area and sit: Deacon 1 on platform, Deacon 2 in first row on Presider’s right.
Presider
The Lord be with you.
People
And also with you.
Presider
Let us pray.
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The following, or some other prayer, is said,
Presider
Almighty God, you love everything you have made and wash over us with your unending mercy. We rejoice in your promises of healing, joy and peace to all who love you. In your mercy turn the darkness of death to the dawn of new life, and the sorrow of parting to the joy of heaven; through our Savior Jesus Christ who died and rose again and who lived forevermore, AMEN.
Deacon 1
We’ll sing Number 31, “Sh’ma Yisroel.” Number 31. Cantor
leads the congregation in the hymn.
Deacon 2
leads the first Reader to the lectern.
Funeral Script
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First Reading
Deacon 2
Please take your seats and listen to a reading from ___________.
Deacon 2
stands next to the Reader. At end of reading, leads Reader back to seat.
Deacon 1
Cantor
Rings pot bells to begin silence.
Presider
Rings hand bells to end silence.
We’ll sing Number ___, “____________________.” Please stand and sing Number ____. Cantor
leads congregation in hymn.
Deacon 2
leads the second Reader to the lectern.
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Second Reading
Deacon 2
Please take your seats and listen to a reading from _________________.
Deacon 2
stands next to Reader. At end of reading, leads Reader back to seat.
Deacon 1
Cantor
Rings pot bells to begin silence.
Presider
Rings hand bells to end silence.
We’ll sing Number ___, “_____________________.” Please stand and sing Number ____. Cantor
leads congregation in hymn.
Deacon 2
leads the Gospel Reader to the lectern.
Funeral Script
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Gospel Reading
Deacon 2
!The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to _________________.
People
!Glory to you, Lord Christ. Reader
reads/sings Gospel reading.
Deacon 2
!The Gospel of the Lord.
People:
Praise to you, Lord Christ! Deacon 2
leads Reader back to seat.
Cantor
rings pot bells to begin silence.
Presider
rings hand bells to end silence.
Preacher
offers sermon, signaling to Cantor when complete.
Cantor
rings pot bells
Sermon
Preacher
We complete the sermon from our experience. If an experience of your own, or a memory of N. came to mind, please share it now while we listen for God speaking to us in the silence. after congregation shares:
Thank you. Thank you all.
Funeral Script
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Prayers These prayers or others may be said.
Deacon 2
steps onto solea with maniple,
We'll sing the Lord's Prayer found on page _____in your book. Call out your own prayers when we stop singing. We'll pray in turn so listen to each other and look up here for help if more than one person prays at the same time. Keep your place in the book so that we may finish singing together. Please stand and sing number ____. Cantor
Deacon 2
leads congregation in singing Lord’s Prayer through “and deliver us from evil.”
For (names), and all grieving N’s death with them, that we may know the comfort of God’s love, let us Pray to the Lord – That God make us bearers of love to support one another in our grief, let us pray to the Lord –
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For comfort for all who suffer and mourn, let us pray to the Lord – For patience and faith in times of loss, that we may know the wonder of God’s mercy and the mystery of God’s love, let us pray to the Lord – That the inspiration and example of N’s love may increase our own, let us pray to the Lord – That God give us vision of her purposes, assurance of her power, confidence of her love, and clarity of hope in Jesus, let us pray to the Lord – People
Add their own prayers.
Deacon 2
Extends maniple towards those who pray aloud.
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Presider
ends open prayers, saying,
For salvation and peace for N and for comfort for all who mourn, let us pray to the Lord. Deacon B
For those we have wronged, for our enemies and all who wrong us, let us pray to the Lord. For forgiveness, generosity and love among all people everywhere, and for the coming kingdom of peace, Let us pray to the Lord. In fellowship with Gregory of Nyssa, with Mary, Christ’s mother, and with all God’s holy people in every time and place, let us commend ourselves and each other, and all our lives through Christ to God. Cantor
Presider
offers a pitch.
!God of all that lives and dies, Raising Jesus from the dead, You offered us hope of new life. Now in our mourning Show us that nothing is lost to your love. Cantor
leads the congregation in the end of the Lord’s Prayer.
Funeral Script
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Tripudium
Deacon 1
steps onto platform,
We will go up to the Table in step, singing “_______________,” found on your colored sheet. The step is very simple; if you’ll look at all of us up here, we will show you how it goes. Starting on your right foot, go right, left, right, back; (demonstrates)
right, left, right, back; right left, right, back. Please place your hand on the shoulder of the person in front of you. ________(Cantor),
Cantor
will tell us when to step off.
Presider
takes ashes from Shinto shrine and joins with leader demonstrating step, then goes to head of leftmost line.
Cantor
demonstrates step, then remains on platform to lead step, finally joining at the end of a left-side line.
Deacon 2
goes to kitchen to help people with gifts.
Thurifer
goes to kitchen door to lead gifts in procession.
When we get to the word ”______________”, please step off on your right foot and start the right, left, right, back pattern. Cantor
leads the Tripudium, and starts people moving at the right time, calling for additional stanzas if needed to get everyone circling the Table.
Deacon 2
Assembles people helping with gifts and Thurifer into a line. Helps them step off during the Tripudium, dancing to the Table.
Deacon 1
receives the gifts and places them on the table, (wine on left side, bread on right); fills first chalice 1/4 full of wine.
Funeral Script
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The Peace
Presider
Christ is here and making peace right now! The Peace of the Lord be with you all!
People
And also with you!
Deacons, Presider kiss the table and exchange the Peace with each other, then turn to exchange the Peace with people, moving quickly to the Table. Thurifer
brings the Thurible to the kitchen.
Funeral Script
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Eucharist
Cantor
Deacon 1
makes sure the Presider has the cross and the Cantor has the sistrum, then stands to the Presider’s right. Throughout the prayer turns pages for Presider.
Deacon 2
stands back from the Table (inviting others in), to Presider’s left.
shaking sistrum,
Please make room for the choir over here, and open your books to number ____. All Vested Deacon [ ]
gesturing to the People
!Draw Near! Draw near! !Parents, take your children in hand! Let us love one another that we may offer the Holy Sacrifice in Peace!
People
!A blessing of peace, a sacrifice of praise!
Presider
blesses congregation with the cross,
!The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ ! the Love of God ! and the Communion of the Holy Spirit ! be with you all! hands the cross to the closest Deacon.
People
! And also with you.
Presider
!Lift up your hearts!
People
! We lift them to the Lord. Deacon 1 and 2 remove palls from chalices and patens, fold and place on table.
Presider
!Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People
!It is right to give God thanks and praise. Cantor
offers a pitch then starts a drone.
Presider
sings the Anaphora from the missal.
Funeral Script
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Servant of God Deacon 1
arranges loaves on patens and breaks bread.
Deacon 2
fills chalices, closes Missal and moves it to welcome table.
All Vested
lift patens and chalices high and turn in a circle as the Presider sings
Presider
!Holy gifts for holy people.
People
! “One is holy…”
Deacon 1
Jesus welcomes everyone to his table, so we offer communion to everyone, and to everyone by name. If you think we’ll need help with your name, please help us out offers bread and wine to Presider saying, __________________,
the Body of Christ. (Amen) The Blood of Christ. (Amen)
Presider
offers bread and cup to Deacons, Cantor, and Communion Ministers.
Cantor
receives, then goes to lead Communion music.
Deacons 1 and 2 receive, then distribute communion according to distribution plan. Patens and Chalices distribute communion according to distribution plan; communicate choir as soon as music is finished. Deacons 1 return all patens and chalices to table and cover with palls; give Presider final prayer from Missal.
Cantor
During Communion, we’ll sing Number ____, “_______________________.” Number ___. Cantor
leads Congregation in hymn.
Additional music may be sung by the Congregation or the Choir
Funeral Script
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Post Communion
Presider
God alone is holy and just and good. in that confidence, therefore, We commend you, N., to God’s healing and mercy, to God’s forgiveness and love. Blessed be God the Father who makes the light of Christ shine on us all.
Flower Offering Deacon 2
Deacon 1
assists Ushers in distributing flowers.
We’ll place flowers on the urn of N’s ashes on the Altar Table. As the flowers are distributed, the choir will come forward to lead our procession. We’ll sing Number ___, “_________________.” Number ___. Cantor
leads congregation in hymn.
Clergy, Cantor and Choir place flowers from the flat side of the Altar Table.
Choir may sing additional music if necessary.
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Carol When all flowers have been placed on the altar,
Deacon 2
We’ll sing the carol, “______________,” found on your colored hymn sheet. “___(repeat name of hymn)___.” Carols are sung dances, so we’ll dance this carol to a step that ______ will now show us.
Teacher:
To make this easy for you, we’ll surround you with people who’ve done it before. Mix yourselves up until you’ve got somebody on either side of you whose done it before. Now place your right hand on the shoulder of the person to your right, and start walking to the right until we can all move…. Teacher teaches step until familiar. Deacons 1 and 2 encourage experienced people to mix in with newcomers Cantor
hums starting pitch during last practice of step, then leads the Carol.
When the Carol is finished:
A prayer or closing words may be said by the Presider.
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If the ashes are to be placed in the Columbarium, go to Appendix 1 here.
Deacon 2
Deacon 1
may add information about refreshments, signing the guest book, and sharing memories of the deceased.
close to the Table and loudly,
Let us bless the Lord! People
Thanks be to God!
END.
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Appendix 1: Interment of Ashes Deacon 2
Presider
We’ll sing Number ___, “______________.” [same hymn as Tripudium] As we sing, we’ll process out to the Columbarium where we’ll place N’s ashes. Number ___. Cantor
leads congregation in hymn.
Presider
leads congregation in procession to Columbarium.
In sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life through our lord Jesus Christ, we commend to Almighty God our brother/sister N., and we commit her ashes to their resting place, earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust. The Lord bless her, and keep her, the Lord make his face to shine upon her and be gracious to her, the Lord lift up his countenance upon her and give her peace. Amen. Cantor
begins the hymn again.
Presider
leads congregation back to altar.
Deacon 2
may add information about refreshments, signing the guest book, and sharing memories of the deceased.
Deacon 1
Let us bless the Lord!
People
Thanks be to God!
END.
Funeral Script
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