In Sure and Certain Hope. Paul Sheppy

of the sea,

      even there your hand shall lead me:

      and your right hand shall hold me.

      If I say ‘Surely the darkness will cover me:

      and the night will enclose me’,

      the darkness is no darkness with you,

      but the night is as clear as the day:

      the darkness and the light are both alike.

      Psalm 139.7–116

      The darkness is not dark to you, Lord,

      the night shines as bright as the day:

      Precious in your sight

      is the death of your saints.

      Jesus said, ‘Set your troubled hearts at rest. Trust in God always; trust also in me. There are many dwelling-places in my Father’s house; if it were not so I should have told you; for I am going to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I shall come again and take you to myself, so that where I am you may be also.’

      John 14.1–3 Revised English Bible

      I will come again and take you to myself:

      Precious in your sight

      is the death of your saints.

      A brief reflection will normally follow, offering an explanation of the rite and its reference to the deceased. It ought not to pre-empt what may be said at the funeral service.

      Prayers

      The prayers that follow place the one who has died into the protection of God, and commend those who mourn to the comfort of the Holy Spirit. This may be done by a series of short prayers or by the litany offered below. These prayers conclude with the Lord’s Prayer.

      Let us pray to the Lord our God

      and make known our heart’s desire for N.

      [In baptism]

      You call us to follow in the way of Christ – even to death.

      By the death of Jesus bring N through her death

      to the place where Christ has gone before.

      Lord, have mercy:

      Christ, have mercy.

      You have promised

      your salvation to all who trust in you.

      Bring N, with all your saints,

      to your eternal presence.

      Lord, have mercy:

      Christ, have mercy.

      You call us to the place of judgement –

      the living and the dead.

      Examine us with love,

      and show N your mercy,

      for without it none of us may stand.

      Lord, have mercy:

      Christ, have mercy.

      You have promised new life

      to all who are found in Christ.

      Clothe N with the life of your Son,

      whom not even death could hold.

      Lord, have mercy:

      Christ, have mercy.

      All our days depend on you,

      for you are the giver of all good gifts.

      Grant N the life of your eternal joy and peace.

      Lord, have mercy:

      Christ, have mercy.

      Blessing and Dismissal

      May God,

      from whose love not even death can separate us,

      grant light in the darkness

      and resurrection from the dead.

      May the love and peace of God

      keep us safe from fear

      and lead us with N and all the saints

      to rejoice in the company of God for ever.

      Go in peace, dear friends,

      for God is with you in this darkness.

      The Lord is your light and salvation,

      God’s word is a lamp to your feet

      and light on your path.

      Those present are invited to stay for as long as they wish.

      Prayers and Readings before a Funeral

      Pastoral Note

      Families and friends often help one another in all the preparations for the funeral. In the evening before or on the day itself, as people gather, feelings of apprehension and sorrow may sharpen. The prayers and readings that follow are provided for use at such a time, when we seek courage to face what must be and faith to pass through death to newness of life.

      These prayers and readings are not intended to form a service of worship. By the time these prayers are used, the funeral will have been prepared. They are provided for the ministry of pastoral support and spiritual preparation in the hours or moments before the nearest mourners move to the funeral.

      Shape of the Rite

       Prayers

       Readings

       On Leaving the House

      Prayers

      These or similar prayers may be used as seems appropriate.

      EVENING PRAYERS

      In peace, we will lie down and sleep;

      for you alone, Lord, make us dwell in safety.

      Abide with us, Lord Jesus,

      for the night is at hand and the day is now past.

      As the night-watch looks for the morning,

      so do we look for you, O Christ.

      Celebrating Common Prayer

      Save us, O Lord, while waking,

      and guard us sleeping,

      that awake we may watch with Christ,

      and asleep we may rest in peace.

      The darkness comes, Lord God, and the night falls;

      go before us, lighting our way.

      Watch over our hearts and minds this night,

      and in the silence or the turmoil of our sleep,

      be our strong deliverer;

      through Jesus Christ our risen Lord.

      Amen.

      A PRAYER AT THE HOUSE ON THE DAY

      The hour has come and now is,

      when we must go where we would rather not.

      Go before us, go beside us,

      go behind us, go within us,

      lead us to your eternal house

      and make your dwelling with us;

      through Jesus Christ our Lord.

      Amen.

      ADDITIONAL PRAYER

      O Lord of hosts, God of the living and the dead,

      touch us in our grief,

      stand with us in our sorrow,

      and heal our hurt.

      Strengthen