Funeral for the Unbaptized


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Funeral Liturgy for the Unbaptized and Unprofessed

by The Rev. Thomas L. Weitzel
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Sooner or later in every pastor's ministry ,the occasion arises when he or she is asked to do a funeral for someone outside the church. If the deceased was baptized, the liturgy of the Church can be used in some form in a funeral home setting, per rubrical suggestions.

But what if the deceased has not been baptized and has had no association with the Church? Typical funeral liturgies like the one in Evangelical Lutheran Worship or the Lutheran Book of Worship (LBW) lean heavily upon baptism and resurrection motifs that are inappropriate.

The Book of Occasional Services (TBOS) for the Episcopal Church provides six prayers, an opening sentence and a committal under the heading "Burial of One Who Does Not Profess the Christian Faith" (pp.156f). However this does not form much of a liturgy, per se.

Using the ELCA rites as a basic outline, I have put together a liturgy that makes use of the Episcopal model, ELW prayers (some altered), and some original prayers for an order that seems to work. In bulletin form, it takes four pages.

P = Presiding Minister A = Assisting Minister C = Congregation

Order for the Burial of the Dead

P. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of all mercy and the God of all consolation, who comforts us in all our sorrows so that we can comfort others in their sorrows with the consolation we ourselves have received from God. (ELW)

C. Thanks be to God.

P. The Lord be with you.

C. And also with you.

P. Let us pray. O God of grace and glory, we remember before you today our brother/sister, N. We thank you for giving him/her to us to know and to love as a companion in our pilgrimage on earth. In your boundless compassion, console us who mourn. Give us quiet confidence that we may continue our course in faith; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. (LBW 279, altered)

C. Amen

Lessons

Homily

A. Let us pray to the God of all creation, whose will for us is goodness, and whose mercies never end.

O most loving Father, it is your will for us to give thanks for all things, to fear nothing except losing you, and to lay all our cares on you, knowing that you care for us. Grant that no clouds in this mortal life may hide from us the light of your immortal love shown to us in your Son, Jesus Christ. (Occ. Serv. 489)

C. Hear us, Lord.

A. Grant to us who are still in our pilgrimage, and who walk as yet by faith, that your Holy Spirit may lead us in holiness and righteousness all our days. (LBW)

C. Hear us, Lord.

A. Grant to all who mourn a sure confidence in your loving care, that, casting all their sorrow on you, they may know the consolation of your love. (LBW)

C. Hear us, Lord.

A. Give courage and faith to those who are bereaved. Surround them with your love, that they may not be overwhelmed by their loss, but have confidence in your goodness, and strength to meet the days to come. (TBOS alt.)

C. Hear us, Lord.

A. Help us, we pray, in the midst of things we cannot understand, to place our trust in you until we find faith and hope in the favor you bear for your people. (LBW alt.)

C. Hear us, Lord.

A. Grant us grace to entrust N. to your never-failing love. Deal graciously with him/her, we pray, out of your boundless compassion and mercy. Forgive his/her sins and grant him/her peace and rest.

C. Hear us, Lord.

P. Almighty God, we entrust all who are dear to us to your never-failing care and love, for this life and the life to come, knowing that you are doing for them better things than we can desire or pray for; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. (TBOS alt.)

C. Amen

P. Lord, remember us in your kingdom, and teach us to pray.

C. 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; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen

The Commendation:

P. Into your hands, O God, we commend our brother/sister N., as into the hands of a faithful Creator and most loving Savior. In your infinite goodness, wisdom, and power, work in him/her the merciful purpose of your perfect will, through Jesus Christ our Lord. (TBOS)

C. Amen

P. Let us go forth in peace.

C. In the name of Christ. Amen

The Committal (at the graveside):

P. Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One:

C. Have mercy upon us. (TBOS)

P. A reading from the Psalms. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. (Psalm 46:1-4)

P. Let us pray. Lord God, you only are immortal, the Creator and Maker of humankind. And we are mortal, formed of the earth, and to earth shall we return. For so did you ordain when you created us, saying, "You are dust, and to dust you shall return." All of us go down to the dust, yet even at the grave, our hope is in you, and we make our song: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. (TBOS alt.)

C. Amen

P. We commend to almighty God our brother/sister, N., and we commit his/her body to the ground / the deep /the elements /its resting place, earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust. May the Lord God + guard and keep him/her in peace until the last day.

C. Amen

P. Lord, remember us in your kingdom, and teach us to pray:

P. O Lord, support us all the day long of this troubled life, until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes and the busy world is hushed, the fever of life is over, and our work is done. Then, Lord, in your mercy, grant us a safe lodging, and a holy rest, and peace at the last; through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Occ. Serv. 260)

C. Amen

P. May the God of peace and love, Father, + Son, and Holy Spirit, guide and bless you always.

C. Amen

P. Let us go in peace.