Funerals

A funeral marks the close of a human life on earth. It is the opportunity for friends and family to express their grief, to give thanks for the life which has now completed its journey in this world and to commend the person into God's keeping.

As far back into history as we can penetrate, human beings seem to have felt the need for a ceremonial leave-taking of those who have died.

The funeral service of the Church of England can be very short and quiet with only a few members of the family present or an occasion of great solemnity with music, hymns and a packed church.
Whether in a parish church or a crematorium chapel, it can be the plain funeral service from the Prayer Book or Common Worship or with the addition of hymns, favourite prayers and readings, and an address. It can also very appropriately be set into the context of a Communion Service.
Whatever the pattern of  the service, the words and actions all speak of a loving God and the preciousness to Him of every human being.

If you want to know more http://www.cofe.anglican.org/lifeevents/funerals looks at some of the serious questions relating to life and death, and explains what happens at a funeral service.

Image © www.davidchapman.org.uk

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