Extracts from A Prayer Book for Australia
Funeral Services and Resources
BEFORE THE SERVICE
The body is brought in at the beginning of the service, or beforehand, the minister meeting it and saying suitable psalms or sentences of Scripture.
When the body is brought to the door of the place for the funeral, the following form may be used.
1 The minister says
We receive the body
of our dear sister/brother N.
with confidence in God, the giver of life,
who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead.
The body is then brought to its place for the service, during which time suitable psalms or sentences of Scripture (such as those printed at ¶ 7 and 10) may be sung or said.
2 When the body has come to its place, the minister may say
God our Father,
by raising Christ your Son you conquered the power of death
and opened for us the way to eternal life.
As we remember before you our brother/sister N,
so we ask your help for all who shall gather in his/her memory.
Grant us the assurance of your presence and grace,
by the Spirit you have given us,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
3 Silence may be kept.
The pall may be used to cover the coffin.
Flowers or similar natural objects may be placed at or on the coffin.
Symbols of the person’s life may be placed near or on the coffin.
4 One or more of the following actions may take place at this or another suitable time in the service.
A lighted [Easter] candle may be placed near the coffin.
The coffin may be sprinkled with water.
A copy of the Scriptures may be placed on or near the coffin.
A cross may be placed on or near the coffin.
These actions may take place in silence, or the following words may be used.
a The candle
Light immortal,
you brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.
May we, with N and all the baptised,
know the full light of your risen presence. Amen.
b Water
In the waters of baptism we died with Christ,
and began to walk in newness of life.
May we, with N and all the baptised,
be brought to the fulfilment of your eternal kingdom. Amen.
c The Scriptures
In life N was nourished by the word of God.
May Christ greet us, with N, saying:
Come, blessed of my Father! Amen.
d The cross
Lord Jesus Christ, you bore our sins on the cross.
May this cross be a sign to us of your love for N,
and the forgiveness of her/his sins. Amen.