Chuntian Academy International

Memorial Service - Religious

In many ways a religious ceremony may be more difficult to plan that a non-religious because there are so many varied faiths and denominations. However, this is an attempt to give an example of a very general CHRISTIAN ceremony. It is basically the same as the humanist or non-religious service, but includes prayers and Scripture readings.

A conference with the family prior to the service will provide favorite hymns, Scripture and other elements.

A Religious Memorial

The pastor may greet the family.
Music for worship may be offered while the people gather.
Hymns and songs of faith may be sung during the gathering.

If there is a coffin or an urn the pall may be placed on it with with these words:

Dying, Christ destroyed our death
Rising, Christ restored our lif.
Christ will come again in glory.
As in baptism (Deceased) put on Christ,
so in Christ may (Decesed) be clothed with glory.
Here and now, dear friends, we are God's children.
What we shall be has not yet been revealed;
but we know that when he appears, we shall be like him,
for we shall see him as he is.
Those who have this hope purify themselves
as Christ is pure.

The coffin or urn may be carried into the place of worship in procession, the pastor going before it and saying the word of grace, the congregation standing. Or, if the coffin or urn is already in place, the pastor says the following in front of the congregation:

THE WORD OF GRACE

Jesus said, I am the resurrection and I am life.
Those who believe in me, even though they die, yet shall they live,
and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die.
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last,
and I hold the keys of hell and death
Because I live, you shall live also.

Good afternoon everyone, and thank you so much for joining us today. We have gathered here to praise God
and to witness to our faith as we celebrate the life of (Deceased).
We come together in grief, acknowledging our human loss.
May God grant us grace, that in pain we may find comfort
in sorrow - hope,
in death - resurrection.

HYMN OR SONG

PRAYER

Let us pray:

O God, who gave us birth,
you are ever more ready to hear
than we are to pray.
You know our needs before we ask,
and our ignorance in asking.
Give to us now your grace,
that as we shrink before the mystery of death
we may see the light of eternity
Speak to us once more
your solemn message of life and of death.
Help us to live as those who are prepared to die.
And when our days here are accomplished,
enable us to die as those who go forth to live,
so that living or dying, our life may be in You,
and that nothing in life or in death will be able to separate us
from Your great love in Christ Jesus our Lord.

If the family wishes, a prayer of confession and pardon may be used here.

OLD TESTAMENT LESSON

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures;
he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul;
he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
Yea, though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
for thou art with me;
thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me
in the presence of mine enemies;
thou annointest my head with oil;
my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

NEW TESTAMENT LESSON

PSALM OR HYMN

SERMON

We are here today, not to grieve or to mourn, but to remember and celebrate the life of (Departed) and to bring consolation to those of his/her family and friends who are here. Our ceremony will be short and simple, in keeping with what (Departed) would have wanted.

Option 1:
(Departed)’s premature death is most tragic and is bound to bring shock and sorrow to those who loved and befriended him. When people we love are taken from our midst too soon, we struggle to deal with their absence. Those who feel deeply will grieve deeply. No philosophy or religion ever taught can prevent this wholly natural reaction of the human heart.

Though it is natural for us to grieve that (Departed) and (Partner) will not now enjoy the satisfaction of growing old together, let us think today about the happy years and the good times.

Option 2
It is natural that we should be sad today, because in a practical sense (Departed) is no longer a part of our lives. But we should not grieve—to live a good and fulfilling life for _____ years, with only the last ____ marred by being bed ridden, and then to die in one’s own home, is something to be thankful for.

Prelude to Eulogy

I don’t think there is anyone here who does not feel enriched by having known (Departed). S/he will be remembered as a husband/wife, father/mother, father/mother-in-law, a grandfather/mother, and a friend. His/her influence lives on in the unending consequences that flow from his/her life and character.

Death is as natural as life: only Nature is permanent. All that has life has its beginning and end . . . and life exists in the time span between birth and death. For those of us who do not have a religious faith, and who believe that death may bring the end of individual existence, life’s significance lies in the experiences and satisfactions we achieve in that span of time; its permanence lies in the memories of those who knew us, and any influence we have left behind. The wonder and love that packed (Departed)’s life will live in the memories of his family and friends.

While I didn't know (Departed), I feel through the stories her family has told that he would appreciate the following poem by A. Price Hughes.

If I should die and leave you here awhile,
Be not like others, sore undone, who keep
Long vigil by the silent dust and weep.
For my sake turn to life and smile,
Nerving thy heart and trembling hand to do
Something to comfort weaker hearts than thine.
Complete these dear unfinished tasks of mine,
And I, perchance, may therein comfort you.

Inevitably you will find the world a poorer place without (Departed), but it will always be a richer place because (S) he was once in it. There never has been and never will be anyone in the world like (Departed), and he will live in your memories always. (Departed) leaves behind (list of family members).

EULOGY:

A personalized eulogy will go here. It will be tailored to the individual after meeting with family and friends for approximately a one-hour discussion.

Optional comments/remembrances from audience or 2nd speaker

Optional Song may be sung here

Some choose Amazing Grace but it can be anything or an instrumental.

MOMENT OF REFLECTION:

Let us now take a moment to reflect upon the life of (Departed) and how s/he has impacted our own lives.

Closing Words (these may vary)

As fall is soon upon us it might be a good time to reflect on autumn. Those beautifully colored leaves are more useful than they seem. Although in final glory they fall to the ground in a wistful descent of death, the fertile earth pays them tribute. She embraces their forms and turns their hidden energies into the evolution of new life. In the drama of human life, a similar pattern prevails. The thoughts and ideals of those we admire survive death. They fall on the fertile earth of our minds and our hearts and renew our lives through inspiration.

Potential Conclusions

Option 1
And we close with: Ecclesiastes 3, 1-8

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

Option 2
In sadness for her death but with appreciation for her life, we remember Nadine and her talent for joy and love. Finally, as we leave to continue our own voyage of discovery in the world, let us listen to these lines which I again feel reflect Nadine’s spirit by Joyce Grenfell.

If I should go before the rest of you
Break not a flower or inscribe a stone,
Nor when I’m gone speak in a Sunday voice
But be the usual selves that I have known.
Weep if you must,
Parting is hell,
But life goes on
So sing as well.

PRAYER
O God, all that you have given us is yours.
As first you gave (Deceased) to us,
so now we give (Decesed) back to you.

(Here, if there is a coffin or urn, the pastor with others standing near may lay hands on it continuing:)

Receive (Deceased) into the arms of your mercy.
Raise (Deceased) up with all your people.
Receive us also, and raise us into a new life.
Help us so to love and serve you in this world
that we may enter into your joy in the world to come.
Amen

THE LORD'S PRAYER

HYMN

DISMISSAL WITH BLESSING

Thank you for coming today. The family requests that you join them at their home. (or perhaps a service of committal at the final resting place). May the memory of (Departed), whom we loved in life and still love in death, continue to enlighten our thoughts and actions.