THE SHIRWELL MISSION COMMUNITY

Prayers for those unable to be present at a funeral

 

While funerals will still take place at the graveside (not in the church itself) there will be rules on gatherings and social distancing that need to be applied in order to protect those who are elderly or vulnerable. Added to that many who would usually wish to attend a funeral may be unable to travel or be self-isolating. Here follows some prayers that can be said at home at the time of the funeral, words which are deliberately based on the Funeral Service itself. You can read the words silently or aloud, or read them together with others in your household or perhaps even on Skype.

 

The Gathering

 

We meet in the name of Jesus Christ,

who died and was raised to the glory of God the Father.

 

We join with those in (place) in remembering before God our brother/sister N;

to give thanks for his/her life; to commend him/her to God our merciful redeemer and judge; to commit his/her body to be buried/cremated, and to comfort one another in our grief.

 

God of all consolation, your Son Jesus Christ was moved to tears at the grave of Lazarus his friend.

Look with compassion on your children in their loss;

give to troubled hearts the light of hope and strengthen in us the gift of faith,

in Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.

 

A time to share memories

 

If you are alone, and if you are able, write down some memories of the person who has died. You may be able to look back at these before a later memorial service or send them with your love to family and close friends.

 

A Reading

 

John 14.1-6

Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.’ Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’

 

Psalm 23

1    The Lord is my shepherd; therefore can I lack nothing.

2    He makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside still waters.

3    He shall refresh my soul and guide me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

4    Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;  

for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

5    You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me;  

you have anointed my head with oil and my cup shall be full.

6    Surely goodness and loving mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,  

and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

 

Prayers

 

The words below are a guide – but you may want to say your own words or keep a time of quiet. 

 

God our Father, we thank you that you have made each of us in your own image, and given us gifts and talents with which to serve you.

 

We thank you for ...............…. .  We thank you for the years we shared with him/her,,

for their talents and gifts, the good seen in him/her, the love we received from him/her.

 

Now give us strength and courage to leave him/her in your care, confident in your promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

SILENCE           Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

Your mighty power brings joy out of grief and life out of death.

Look in mercy on ................................... and all family and friends who mourn.

Give them patient faith in times of darkness. Strengthen them with the knowledge of your love. 

 

We give thanks for those who were good friends to .......... and for those who love the family he/she has left behind. We ask you to bless all those who care because in their love, we see your love for us.

 

SILENCE           Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

You are tender towards your children and your mercy is over all your works.
Heal the memories of hurt and failure.

Give us the wisdom and grace to use well the time that is left to us here on earth,
to turn to Christ and follow in his steps in the way that leads to everlasting life. 

 

SILENCE           Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

 

God of mercy, entrusting into your hands all that you have made and rejoicing in our communion with all your faithful people, we make our prayers through Jesus Christ our Saviour.  Amen.

 

Our Father, which art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever. 
Amen. 

 

Commendation and farewell

 

First, keep a moment of silence.

 

God our creator and redeemer, by your power Christ conquered death and entered into glory. Confident of his victory and claiming his promises, we entrust .................. to your mercy in the name of Jesus our Lord, who died and is alive and reigns with you, now and for ever.  Amen

 

Final blessing

 

Keep in your mind all those who would have been at the funeral as you say these words. You might then listen to a favourite piece of music or be still. 

 

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen.