Wake

This does not differ from the typical Christian wake. It is usually held at the funeral home where family and friends pay their final respects to the deceased and to family members. The funeral home arranges for the body to be present at the Church following the wake, usually the next day.

Funeral Ceremony at the Church (taken from a United Methodist Service)

• Gathering

  Prayer to remind the assembly of the deceased's baptism and death into Christ.

• The Word of Grace

  Reminds those present that those who have faith in Christ never die, but live with God forever.

• Greeting

  The pastor indicates that the purpose of this gathering is to praise God, to celebrate the life of the deceased and to pray that God will ease the pain of the bereaved.

  If there has been no procession, the pall may be placed at this time.

• Hymn or Song
• Prayer
  One or more of the following or other prayers may be offered, in unison if desired:

  - Petition for God's help
  - Thanksgiving for the communion of saints
  - Confession of sin
  - Assurance of pardon

• Psalm 130
• Old Testament Lesson
• Psalm 23

  The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still water. 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 anointest 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 for ever.

• New Testament Lesson
• Psalm, Canticle, or Hymn
• Gospel Lesson
• Sermon
• Naming

The life and death of the deceased may be gathered up in the reading of a memorial or appropriate statement, or in other ways, by the pastor or family or friends.

• 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.

• Hymn or Song
• Creed or Affirmation of Faith
• Commendation
• Prayers

  Intercession, commendation of life, and thanksgiving are appropriate here.

• The Lord's Prayer
• Hymn
• Dismissal with Blessing

Committal Service

The funeral director arranges for transportation of the deceased from the Church to the cemetery / crematory. This service is the final committal of the body either to the earth or to the crematorium, it also provides the family with a sense of closure and farewell. This short, but formal ceremony, presided over by the pastor, is usually only attended by those closest to the deceased. The committal service usually follows the following format:

1. Opening Remarks
2. Scripture Reading
3. Committal
4. Final Prayer and Departure

References:

www.users.vance.net/solagratia/eulogies/mem_umc.htm