The Heart of the Prayer Book Burial Rite
In 1549, Thomas Cranmer faced the difficult task of drafting a reformed rite for the burial of the dead. The rite could not be a requiem mass. However, it could not be something like a modern memorial service either. It would have to be a celebration of Holy Communion with a burial rite. He provided a collect, a psalm, an epistle reading, a Gospel reading for the celebration of Holy Communion, and an updated rite for burial. As B.D. Spinks notes:
Pastoral offices such as burial are areas of conservatism in liturgy, and in contrast with his reform of the baptismal rite, Cranmer in his funeral rite relied more heavily upon the Sarum Rite and the contemporary popular rite for the dead, the Dirige.
The rite today begins much as it did in the Sarum Rite, which preceded Cranmer’s rite, with quotations from John 11 and Job 19. To these, Cranmer added:
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For we brought nothing into the world, and it is certain we carry nothing out.
1 Timothy 6:7
More modern Prayer Books add Romans 14:7-9, and many more readings are permitted, including Old Testament readings. The 2019 BCP also instructs us to confess the Apostle’s Creed. This includes a special set of prayers and a special post-Communion prayer. The rite ends with the Commendation, where the celebrant commends the body to God for the resurrection of the dead.
What Does an Anglican Burial Resemble?
In essence, it looks like a celebration of the Eucharist, with a different entrance rite and a different recessional rite, the Apostles’ Creed recited, and prayers specific to a burial. Through the years, many people have remarked to me how wonderful the Anglican burial rite is: how full of biblical hope, Scripture, and beauty. I have always remarked that it is particularly meaningful that the same rite is used whether the departed be a King or Queen, or one destitute and hungry.
The first funeral I ever presided over was for an HIV patient. They interred him in a cemetery for the indigent of our county, and I will never forget it. “God shows no partiality,” and our burial rites provide a wonderful way to remind all people, especially those who might never otherwise attend a Christian liturgy in a year, not only of the unavoidable nature of death. We also remind them of the grace and mercy nestled in the Gospel.
Helpful Observations on the Burial Rite
For this purpose, I have attached a sample funeral planning form. I ask our people, especially during Lent, to fill this out and file it in the parish office. That way, we can pull out the form and plan the liturgy in accord with a person’s wishes.
Procession and Recession: the Body Goes First
For funerals with cremated remains, I find it helpful to carry the remains, covered in a pall (a special cloth) made for the purpose, and then place them on a small table in front of the altar. For funerals with full remains in a casket, carry it in “feet first” and carry it out “feet first.” It is also appropriate for a person carrying the Paschal Candle to lead the procession into the church. For both processions, the celebrant read the words of scripture included on page 249 for the procession and on 257 for the recession. A strict reading of the rubrics says only to read scriptural anthems; other hymns may be acceptable. Therefore, any other music would be additional.
Celebrating the Eucharist—Yes or No?
It is important to follow the wishes of the departed and to know what those are. I once had to carry out the burial of a parishioner while, in another location, her sons held a non-Prayer Book memorial service which they had planned. I remember her words to me quite well: “Don’t you dare let my sons plan my funeral! I want the Prayer Book service only!”
Eulogies are for Another Time
That brings up another item: whether there is room for eulogies or family thoughts. The strict answer, and the one I commend to you, is “NO!” This is a Christian liturgy, and although we love the Buddhist grandson of the departed, this is not a time for him to hold forth. A much better time for this is a wake or reception off-site.
Some Remarks Regarding the Sermon
Lastly, a word about appropriate sermon content is necessary. Now is not the time to muse about where the departed person is at this moment, or what they are doing. Now is not the time to canonize them as saints. The gospel message for every funeral ought to be: Here lies a sinner, washed in the blood of the Lamb. Secondly, someday, this will be you! We preach Christ crucified, risen, and ascended to the right hand of the Father. What other hope of Christian ground is there than Christ crucified and risen? Someday we will die, someday we will rise in the flesh, and we hope to live with Christ where he is.
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
Titus 2:11-14
Image: photo by tatyanakorenyugina, courtesy of Canva. Digitally edited by Jacob Davis.
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