A Basic Liturgy For A Funeral

The following is an outline for an informal funeral service that reflects the themes described in the articles above. Song. Beginning with a song that expresses in a simple and meaningful way the feelings of those gathered together for the funeral immediately draws the community together more powerfully than when words alone are used. Some suggested songs are: "Sometimes I Feel like a Motherless Child" "O God Our Help in Ages Past" "Amazing Grace" "Lord of All Hopefulness" "Wondrous Love" Prayer. The prayer, offered by the person leading the funeral liturgy, should address God as those gathered understand God, commend the deceased to God's embrace, and ask comfort for those grieving. The leader should also be particularly conscious of the circumstances of death. In other words, one does not pray for a deceased infant in the same way one prays for a person who has rounded out eighty years; nor does one pray for a person released after a long suffering in the same way one prays f…