A Service of Committal for Full Name

adapted from The United Methodist Book of Worship
MMMM DD, YYYY
Location
Officiant: Rev. Andrew Conard

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. I died, and behold I am alive for evermore, and I hold the keys of hell and death. Because I live, you shall live also.

Greeting

Friends, we have gathered here to praise God and to witness to our faith as we celebrate the life of Full Name.

We come together in grief, acknowledging our human loss. Through our tears, we celebrate Name’s life.
May God grant us grace, that in pain we may find comfort, in sorrow hope, in death resurrection.

My name is Andrew Conard, one of the pastors at the United Methodist Church of the Resurrection. (Make connection to the local church if there is a connection.)
Hear these words:

One or more of the following are said:
In the midst of life, we are in death; from whom can we seek help? (Ninth Century)

Our help is in the name of the Lord who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 124:8, UMH 846)

God who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through the Spirit that dwells in you. (Romans 8:11, Alt.)

Listen, I will tell you a mystery! We will not all die, but we will all be changed. For this perishable body must put on imperishability, and this mortal body must put on immortality. Then the saying that is written will be fulfilled: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:51, 53, 54b-55, 57)

Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices; my body also dwells secure. You, [Lord,] show me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy, in your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:9, 11, UMH 748)

Prayer

Please join with me in prayer.
O God, you have ordered this wonderful world and know all things in earth and in heaven.
Give us such faith that by day and by night, at all times and in all places, we may without fear commit ourselves and those dear to us to your never-failing love, in this life and in the life to come. Amen.

Scripture

One or more of the following or other scriptures may be read:
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!
By his great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and to an inheritance which is imperishable, undefiled and unfading, kept in heaven for you.
In this you rejoice, though now for a little while you suffer trials so that the genuineness of your faith may prove itself worthy at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Without having seen him, yet you love him; though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with unutterable and exalted joy.
As the harvest of your faith you reap the salvation of your souls.
(Adapted from 1 Peter 1:3-9)

Jesus said: "Very truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.
Those who love their life lose it, and those who hate their life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
Whoever serves me must follow me, and where I am, there will my servant be also.
Whoever serves me, the Father will honor."
(John 12:24-26)

Naming

The life of the deceased may be gathered up in the reading of a memorial or appropriate statement, or in other ways, by the pastor or others.
Birth and Growing Up
Engagement and Marriage
Career
Personal Life
Personal Impact - words and phrases from family
Other - As needed

Christian Witness

Pastor, family, friends, and members of the congregation may briefly voice their thankfulness to God for the grace they have received in the life of the deceased and their Christian faith and joy. A poem or other reading may be read as a witness. Signs of faith, hope, and love may be exchanged.
Transition from Naming
Incorporation of Scripture
Message of Hope

Committal

Standing at the head of the coffin and facing it (preferably casting earth upon it as it is lowered into the grave) the pastor says:
Almighty God, into your hands we commend your son / daughter Name, in sure and certain hope of resurrection to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

This body we commit to the ground (to the elements, to its resting place), earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust. (Traditional)

Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.
Yes, says the Spirit, they will rest from their labors for their deeds follow them. (Revelation 14:13, Alt.)

Prayer

Please join with me in prayer.
One or more of the following or other prayers is offered:
Gracious God, we thank you for those we love but see no more.
Receive into your arms your servant Name, and grant that increasing in knowledge and love of you, she / he may go from strength to strength in service to your heavenly kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Almighty God, look with pity upon the sorrow of your servants, for whom we pray.
Amidst things they cannot understand, help them to trust in your care.
Bless them and keep them.
Make your face to shine upon them, and give them peace. Amen.

O Lord, support us all the day long of our troubled life, until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes, and the busy world is hushed, and the fever of life is over and our work is done.
Then in your mercy grant us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Eternal God, you have shared with us the life of Name.
Before she / he was ours, she / he is yours.
For all that Name has given us to make us what we are, for that of her / him which lives and grows in each of us, and for her / his life that in your love will never end, we give you thanks.
As now we offer Name back into your arms, comfort us in our loneliness, strengthen us in our weakness and give us courage to face the future unafraid.
Draw those of us who remain in this life closer to one another, make us faithful to serve one another, and give us to know that peace and joy which is eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Lord's Prayer

The Lord's Prayer may follow.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Hymn or Song

A hymn or song may be sung.

Dismissal with Blessing

The pastor dismisses the people with the following or another blessing.
Now to the One who is able to keep you from falling, and to make you stand without blemish in the presence of God's glory with rejoicing, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

Transition to Military or other rites

At this time, the Christian service is complete. Please give your attention as the service concludes with (military honors).