Sample Burial Service

FULL PROPER NAME

Burial and Committal Service

Penn Forest Natural Burial Park

Martin Luther King Day, Monday, DATE, 10:30am

The Gathering

FULL PROPER NAME found great joy in life, caring for those he loved and guiding those in his care. To NAME and those he loved, we dedicate this time and space as we gather here to commend NAME to his Creator and to commit his body to the earth. 

 Many do not realize that the Christian funeral is a continuation of the baptism service. (Christ Candle is lit.)  Two years ago at the baptismal font NAME was buried with Christ by baptism into death and brought up out of the water to walk in newness of life. (Baptismal waters are sprinkled. ) So now, at the end of his earthly journey he is buried with Christ in death to be raised to new life.  (A white funeral pall is placed.)

 Processional

Just as we have traveled with NAME along the road through life, today NAME is carried the last mile to the place of farewell in the hands and arms of those he loved and those who loved him. As before his baptism we, sang with the congregation, so too today we walk with song to send NAME on his way into the next part of his journey.

 Tupelo Honey by Van Morrison

You can take all the tea in China. Put it in a big brown bag for me.
Sail right around all the seven ocean. Drop it straight into the deep blue sea.

Refrain:  She's as sweet as Tupelo honey. She's an angel of the first degree.
               She's as sweet as Tupelo honey, just like honey (baby) from the bee.

You can't stop us on the road to freedom, You can't stop us 'cause our eyes can see.
Men with insight, men in granite, knights in armor bent on chivalry.

Oh, you know she’s alright with me.

Prayer of Blessing Over the Place of Committal

O Creator of the ground we now stand upon, by whose mercy the faithful departed find rest,

Bless this grave and send holy angels and the animals of the forest to keep watch.

     ALL:  Amen. 

As we make ready this resting place and lay the earthly body of NAME to rest, look with compassion on those who mourn, especially his wife NAME, and comfort them in their loss. 

       ALL:  Amen.  –Laying of pine boughs.

 I tell you a truth, NAME now numbers with the saints of light. Death changes but does not destroy our love or relationship with NAME. At this place of farewell, with tears and thanksgiving, we lay NAME into the loving arms of the earth.

 Readings

Reflections on a Life

 “Like anybody, I would like to live a long life. Longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now… I’ve seen the promised land. I may not get there with you. But I want you to know tonight, that we, as a people, will get to the promised land!” --from a Monday 50 years ago, Martin Luther King, Jr.’s final sermon, “I’ve Been to the Mountain Top”.

Faith, Hope and Love

“Faith, Hope and Love, these three remain, but the greatest of these is LOVE.” --1st Corinthians 13

FAITH is taking the first step even when you can’t see the whole staircase.

          We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite HOPE

        LOVE: Those who are not looking for happiness are the most likely to find it because those who are searching forget that the surest way to be happy is to seek happiness for others. —Martin Luther King, Jr.

(You are invited to share your reflections.)

A Prayer

Our Creator, in this time of grief, we ask that you wrap your arms around us, especially WIDOW’s NAME, as we hold each other up in our time grief and saying good-bye. Give us grace to live with our questions; "If only..." and"What if?" and "Why?", and as you have taught us about life, now teach us about death. Comforting Spirit, let us lay our wearied selves next to you, to sense your breath, to feel your warmth, to hear you tenderly call our name.

You brought NAME into this world and we are grateful for his time in our lives as a faithful husband to NAME, a supportive brother to ______ and a friend to many.  We thank you for NAME’s passion for life that attracted many others into his sphere — so precious a man who built networks of friendship and growth in each new stage of life. You co-created within him a pattern of purpose that was strong, open, and inviting.

 Prayer of St. Francis of Assis, Italy 12th Century (Recited by ALL)

Make me an instrument of thy peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Creator, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.  Amen.

Prayer of Commendation and Committal

Holy Timekeeper, we now give NAME back to you. He was always yours, after all. Thank you for the blessing of love shared between us. Through our tears we trust that he rests now in peace. As we leave here and continue on our life journey, help us to know the times to work, to rest, to receive, to give. And if grief or loneliness comes crashing upon us, be our shelter from the storm In our words, our tears, our sighs, and our silence hear our prayer. Amen.

Into your hands we commend FULL PROPER NAME.. We give thanks for the blessings that have been bestowed upon NAME in his life for they are signs to us of goodness and of our bond to one another.  May WIDOW’s NAME and those who remain comfort one another with assurances of the Springtime to come. 

 In the name of the Creator, Redeemer and the Sustaining Spirit.  ALL:  Amen.

(Laying of flowers by attendees.)