VERSION: 9 April 2002
MEMORIAL RITE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED IN THE FAITH
A memorial rite is especially appropriate on All Saints Day. It may be helpful to indicate at funerals (eg on the service order) that the person who has died will be remembered on All Saints Day and also that a memorial hymn will be sung during a forthcoming Sunday service, if this is planned.
A few weeks before All Saints Day, contact the families of those who have been buried from the church (or by the pastor elsewhere) during the year, telling or reminding them that their loved one will be remembered during the service on that day (and a candle may be lit for them, etc).
The following memorial rite may be observed after the prayer of the church.
INTRODUCTION
The minister says:
Grace and peace to you from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
Friends in Christ: Today we remember members of this congregation (and our Christian friends and relatives)* whom our heavenly Father has called out of this life during the past year. We remember them and thank God for the gifts he has given us through them.
READING OF NAMES**
The names of those who have died in the past year are read out aloud.
WORD OF GOD
The minister says:
Our Lord Jesus Christ says:
Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come under judgment, but has passed from death to life. (John 5:24 NRSV)
And the apostle John says:
These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. For this reason they are before the throne of God, and worship him day and night within his temple, and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them. (Rev 7:14b, 15 NRSV)
OR
Our Lord Jesus Christ says:
Do not be worried and upset. Believe in God and believe also in me. There are many rooms in my Father's house, and I am going to prepare a place for you. I would not tell you this if it were not so.
(John 14:1,2 TEV)
And the apostle John says:
I heard a voice from heaven saying, 'Write this: Blessed are the dead who from now on die in the Lord'. 'Yes', says the Spirit, 'they will enjoy rest from their labours, because the results of their service goes with them'. (Rev 14:13 composite)
HYMN
A memorial hymn may be sung here or at the end of the rite.
PRAYER
Let us pray.
Heavenly Father, all who have died in Christ are in your presence.
We thank you for N, N and N (or: those whom we have named before you).
During the past year, they completed the race that was set before them,
and we thank you for sustaining their faith throughout their lives.
We thank you also for the blessings that flowed to us from their lives.
Be with all who mourn their passing.
Comfort them in their sorrow.
Remember us all in life and death and bring us at last into your eternal home.
We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
OR
Gracious heavenly Father, we praise you for the glorious company of the saints who have finished the course of their lives in faith, and now rest with you from all their work.
We thank you today for those who have departed from this life over the past year, and remember them in gratitude before you.
Sustain us in life and death, and let perpetual light shine on us and on all your faithful people.
Amen.
BLESSING
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds safe in Christ Jesus.
Amen.
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A list of those who have belonged to the congregation is simple to make up ahead of time. However, some may wish friends, relatives and significant Christian members of the community to be remembered also, and so people may have to be invited to suggest these names before the service.
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**
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There are several possible ways the reading of names could be highlighted ritually. Here are some suggestions:
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Light the paschal candle for this rite and conduct the rite from the baptismal font
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Light individual candles, one for each person who has died in the past year, as their names are read out (they could be lit from the paschal candle) and place them in a tray of sand in the sanctuary or at the baptism font. These candles may be left burning during the Lord's supper to remind us of our communion with them.
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A gong or a mellow-sounding bell may be rung after each name (or, if the church has a bell, toll the church bell once after each name).
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