Funerals
“I am resurrection and I am Life, says the Lord. Whoever has faith in me shall have life, even though he die. And everyone who has life, and is committed to me in faith, shall not die for ever.” John 11.25-26
Our faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ inspires us to celebrate the death of our loved ones with hope and joy even in the midst of sorrow.
Our parish family is honoured to provide a funeral for your loved one. We're normally contacted by the funeral home, but you can reach us by calling Fr. Rudolph Anthony at (709) 753-1931 or emailing him at fatheranthony@nf.aibn.com
We will meet with you at your convenience to plan the ceremony.
Symbols Used During the Funeral Liturgy
- Easter Candle
The Easter (Pascal) candle reminds the faithful of Christ’s undying presence among them, of his victory over sin and death, and of their share in that victory by virtue of their initiation. It recalls the Easter Vigil, the night when the Church awaits the Lord’s resurrection and when new light for the living and the dead is kindled. During the funeral liturgy the Easter candle may be placed beforehand near the position the coffin will occupy at the conclusion of procession.
- Pall
A pall is to be placed over the coffin when it is received at the church. A reminder of the baptismal garment of the deceased, the pall is a sign of the Christian dignity of the person. The use of the pall also signifies that all are equal in the eyes of God (see James 2:1-9).
- Cross
A cross may be placed on the coffin as a reminder that the Christian is marked by the cross in baptism and through Jesus’ suffering on the cross is brought to the victory of his resurrection.
- Colour: White
The church uses the colour white during the time of a Funeral Service as a symbol of the resurrection.
Other Symbols
Only Christian symbols may rest on or be placed near the coffin during the funeral liturgy. Any other symbols, for example, national flags, or flags or insignia of associations maybe used after consultation with the parish priest.
What is Appropriate?
Funerals are times of a heightened need for memories. This can sometimes distort the purpose of the churches rites: making them opportunities for someone’s favorite songs, favorite poems, and favorite devotions. We will work with you to help you keep an appropriate focus for word and music at a Funeral that preserves the intention of the church’s rites and adequately connects them in a personal way to a loved one.
Printed Programs
The Parish, along with the city's funeral homes, always provides a personal, printed program for each funeral as a participation aid.
Place of Service
The proper place for the Funeral Service is the parish church.
The Office of Burial is an ancient service of the Church, and the same service continues to be used for rich and poor alike. It is an expression of our oneness in Christ and our corporate life, as of those who have already known and shared the eternal life, which God has given and will give.
Flowers
It is recommended that only the immediate family send flowers, and it is suggested that opportunities be given for friends to make donations to some Church purpose or charitable fund, in memory of the deceased. It is recommended that the flowers brought into the Church be limited to those used at the altar and two or three floral-pieces from the immediate family.
The final part is the Cemetery or the Committal.The service celebrated here is short. Occasionally a body or cremated remains will be shipped to another place for burial. When this is done, there are some adaptations made to the prayers that are prayed at the church. It is important for us to know that this is the plan for burial prior to the funeral. During this service a hymn can be chosen.
Other Important Things to Know
- Fees
There are no fees required by the church for Funeral Services. All churches, however, do maintain cemeteries. There may be some fees for services provided. Please check with your funeral director regarding such fees.
- Additional Ceremonies
The Burial Office of the Church is complete in itself. If the family desire the rites of any fraternal society to which the deceased belonged, it is recommended that such rites take place apart from the Burial Service of the Church, preferably the evening before in the home, or funeral home. After the final blessing at the grave is permissible.
The Mystery of Death for Christians
The Church’s liturgical and sacramental life and proclamation of the Gospel make this mystery present in the life of the faithful.
Through the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist, men and women are initiated into this mystery. “You have been taught that when we were baptized in Christ Jesus we were baptized into his death; in other words when we were baptized we went into the tomb with him and joined him in death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the Father’s glory, we too might live a new life. If in union with Christ we have imitated his death, we shall also imitate him in his resurrection” (Romans 6:3-5).
Other Participants
At the invitation of the Rector of the parish other people can also participate in the Funeral Service: Servers, Eucharistic Assistants, Lay Readers or other clergy. Clergy from other denominations may also be involved in the Funeral Service at the invitation of the Rector.
BEREAVED PERSON’S PRAYER:
We seem to give our loved ones back to you, Lord. You gave them to us. But just as you did not lose them in the giving, neither do we lose them in the return.You don't give in the same way that the world gives. What you give you don't take away. You have taught us that what is yours is ours also, if we are yours. Life is eternal, Lord, and your love is undying. And death is only a horizon. And a horizon is nothing but the limits of our sight. Lift us up strong, Son of God, that we may see farther. Cleanse our eyes that we may see more clearly. Draw us closer to yourself that we may find ourselves closer to our loved ones who are with you. And while you prepare a place for them, prepare us also for that happy place where you are and where we hope to be...forever. Amen. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Our faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ inspires us to celebrate the death of our loved ones with hope and joy even in the midst of sorrow.
Our parish family is honoured to provide a funeral for your loved one. We're normally contacted by the funeral home, but you can reach us by calling Fr. Rudolph Anthony at (709) 753-1931 or emailing him at fatheranthony@nf.aibn.com
We will meet with you at your convenience to plan the ceremony.
Symbols Used During the Funeral Liturgy
- Easter Candle
The Easter (Pascal) candle reminds the faithful of Christ’s undying presence among them, of his victory over sin and death, and of their share in that victory by virtue of their initiation. It recalls the Easter Vigil, the night when the Church awaits the Lord’s resurrection and when new light for the living and the dead is kindled. During the funeral liturgy the Easter candle may be placed beforehand near the position the coffin will occupy at the conclusion of procession.
- Pall
A pall is to be placed over the coffin when it is received at the church. A reminder of the baptismal garment of the deceased, the pall is a sign of the Christian dignity of the person. The use of the pall also signifies that all are equal in the eyes of God (see James 2:1-9).
- Cross
A cross may be placed on the coffin as a reminder that the Christian is marked by the cross in baptism and through Jesus’ suffering on the cross is brought to the victory of his resurrection.
- Colour: White
The church uses the colour white during the time of a Funeral Service as a symbol of the resurrection.
Other Symbols
Only Christian symbols may rest on or be placed near the coffin during the funeral liturgy. Any other symbols, for example, national flags, or flags or insignia of associations maybe used after consultation with the parish priest.
What is Appropriate?
Funerals are times of a heightened need for memories. This can sometimes distort the purpose of the churches rites: making them opportunities for someone’s favorite songs, favorite poems, and favorite devotions. We will work with you to help you keep an appropriate focus for word and music at a Funeral that preserves the intention of the church’s rites and adequately connects them in a personal way to a loved one.
Printed Programs
The Parish, along with the city's funeral homes, always provides a personal, printed program for each funeral as a participation aid.
Place of Service
The proper place for the Funeral Service is the parish church.
The Office of Burial is an ancient service of the Church, and the same service continues to be used for rich and poor alike. It is an expression of our oneness in Christ and our corporate life, as of those who have already known and shared the eternal life, which God has given and will give.
Flowers
It is recommended that only the immediate family send flowers, and it is suggested that opportunities be given for friends to make donations to some Church purpose or charitable fund, in memory of the deceased. It is recommended that the flowers brought into the Church be limited to those used at the altar and two or three floral-pieces from the immediate family.
The final part is the Cemetery or the Committal.The service celebrated here is short. Occasionally a body or cremated remains will be shipped to another place for burial. When this is done, there are some adaptations made to the prayers that are prayed at the church. It is important for us to know that this is the plan for burial prior to the funeral. During this service a hymn can be chosen.
Other Important Things to Know
- Fees
There are no fees required by the church for Funeral Services. All churches, however, do maintain cemeteries. There may be some fees for services provided. Please check with your funeral director regarding such fees.
- Additional Ceremonies
The Burial Office of the Church is complete in itself. If the family desire the rites of any fraternal society to which the deceased belonged, it is recommended that such rites take place apart from the Burial Service of the Church, preferably the evening before in the home, or funeral home. After the final blessing at the grave is permissible.
The Mystery of Death for Christians
The Church’s liturgical and sacramental life and proclamation of the Gospel make this mystery present in the life of the faithful.
Through the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist, men and women are initiated into this mystery. “You have been taught that when we were baptized in Christ Jesus we were baptized into his death; in other words when we were baptized we went into the tomb with him and joined him in death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the Father’s glory, we too might live a new life. If in union with Christ we have imitated his death, we shall also imitate him in his resurrection” (Romans 6:3-5).
Other Participants
At the invitation of the Rector of the parish other people can also participate in the Funeral Service: Servers, Eucharistic Assistants, Lay Readers or other clergy. Clergy from other denominations may also be involved in the Funeral Service at the invitation of the Rector.
BEREAVED PERSON’S PRAYER:
We seem to give our loved ones back to you, Lord. You gave them to us. But just as you did not lose them in the giving, neither do we lose them in the return.You don't give in the same way that the world gives. What you give you don't take away. You have taught us that what is yours is ours also, if we are yours. Life is eternal, Lord, and your love is undying. And death is only a horizon. And a horizon is nothing but the limits of our sight. Lift us up strong, Son of God, that we may see farther. Cleanse our eyes that we may see more clearly. Draw us closer to yourself that we may find ourselves closer to our loved ones who are with you. And while you prepare a place for them, prepare us also for that happy place where you are and where we hope to be...forever. Amen. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
