In a world experiencing unprecedented disasters, it is wise for all church leaders to be able to step in and conduct a funeral service should the emergency arise. We trust that these Notes will prove useful at such a time. As you know every funeral service is unique; so there are no hard and fast rules as to how a funeral service should be conducted. Nevertheless these notes will give you some idea as to the Order of Service we use.

1. HYMN:
This should be a favorite of the deceased or of the bereaved family; and, if possible, one that is also known by the audience.

2. PRAYER:

3. BIBLE READING/S:
Listed below are a few examples we have used in the past. Choose one or more or even your own favorite.

• Psalm 23: Quoted in full at the end of this file.

• John 11: 21: “Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
  22: But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
  23: Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
  24: Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
  25: Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
  26: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.
  Believest thou this?
  27: She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.”

• Luke 8: 41: “And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought him that he would come into his house:
  42: For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying…
  49: While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master.
  50: But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.
  51: And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden.
  52: And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth.
  53: And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead.
  54: And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise.
  55: And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat.
  56: And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.”

• John 14: 1: “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
  2: In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
  3: And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”

• 1 Thessalonians 4: 13: “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
  14: For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
  15: For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
  16: For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
  17: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
  18: Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”

• Revelation 21: 1: “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
  2: And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
  3: And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
  4: And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
  5: And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
  6: And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.
  7: He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.”

• Isaiah 57: 1: “The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.
  2: He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.”

• Job 19: 25: “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
  26: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
  27: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.”

4. WELCOME

• Friends/Neighbours/Work associates/Acquaintances of the deceased; mentioning their names if you know them.
• Relatives: Naming each relative in turn.
• In laws: if still alive
• Parents: if still alive
• Brothers/Sisters:
• Sons/Daughters/Nephews/Nieces/Cousins etc.
• Last but not least: Husband/Wife

5. RECALL NOTABLE EVENTS
Before the funeral service collect stories, sayings and details of memorable events involving the deceased. Then make a real effort at the service to recount those treasured memories. For example:

• She was admired and loved by all:   kind/caring/wise/forthright/elegant.
• She touched the hearts of everyone she met
• He had many interests: (List them) Was never happier when he was out walking on the hills, playing golf, cycling, playing music etc.
• In a world where most people put their own rights in the forefront; he thought only of his responsibilities and duty to others.
• He was a tireless worker, lenient with others, ruthless with himself. High moral standards. Always grateful for what you did for him.
• I remember her/his words of wisdom. Quote one or two.
  
• We'll miss her/him with sorrow!

If he/she had a sense of humour, recall amusing incidents. Do not be afraid of making the audience smile or even laugh. A funeral, bear in mind, is not journey's end. It's simply the end of the journey on this section of the Highway of Life.

6. SERMON ... DEATH IS SIMPLY A SLEEP
Speak on Scriptures such as those listed below. Impress on your audience the reality of the resurrection. The Christian faith is founded on the fact that Jesus (Yeshua) died for our sins and rose from the grave! And that all who believe on him will also rise from their graves and live for all time! These are absolute facts. Preach them!

• “They all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth.“ (Luke 8: 49-56)

• “Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.” (John 11: 1-44)

• “I am the resurrection and the life. he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:” (John 11: 25)

• “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” (Revelation. 21: 1-4)

• The Apostle Paul Writes Further In:
  1 Corinthians 15: 51-58
  51: “Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
  52: In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
  53: For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
  54: So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
  55: O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
  56: The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law
  57: But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
  58: Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”

No matter what else you may forget, do not forget to preach about the Resurrection;   that Jesus Christ (Yeshua The Messiah) is the resurrection and the life and that all who believe on him, even though they be dead, will rise from their graves to live again. This fact must be the foundation of your sermon because it is the Blessed Hope. If you do not preach it, all your other thoughts and words, however worthy, will not give the bereaved the comfort - Truth alone can give!

7. CLOSING HYMN:

8. CLOSING PRAYER:

9. INVITATION:
To guests to come back to the home - or hotel for refreshments (if applicable).

1. PRAYER:

2. BIBLE READING:
1 Corinthians 15: 51-58 (see above)

3. COMMITTAL:
Words such as the following may be used before lowering the coffin:

• And now we commit the body of our beloved (Name Here) to the grave,
• To rest in peace till the resurrection of the dead at our Savior's return to earth.
• When this corruptible shall put on incorruption.
• And this mortal shall put on immortality.
• Then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written,
• Death is swallowed up in victory.
• O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

As the coffin is lowered into the grave, read a short portion of Scripture.

4. READING ... PSALM 23:

1. “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4. 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.
5. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over
6. 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.”

5. CLOSING PRAYER:

Bear in mind that these notes provide only brief guidelines.
You may add a poem, musical item, have a family member say a few words on behalf of the bereaved relatives or sing a hymn or two at the graveside. It's up to you and the close family to decide what best suits the occasion.

www.avitw-usa.org