Bishop's Note: Concerning the Burial of the Dead

Bishop Eric Menees

Dear brothers and sisters,  I pray that this Bishop’s Note finds you safe and well! Last week we examined the section titled, “Reception of the Body” that describes what’s done when the body arrives at the church. Today we get the directions before the beginning of the service, “Concerning the Burial of the Dead.” It may feel like we just went over something similar in, “Regarding Christian Death and Burial,” but this is quite different. That first section gives an understanding of what death means to us as Christians, this section is more pragmatic. This section gives some of the rubrics or instructions that cover the service as a whole. The very first thing we read that I can’t emphasize enough, “The death of a member of the Church should be reported as soon as possible to… the Minister of the Congregation.” I’ve heard far too many stories of clergy who have learned about sicknesses and deaths of parishioners long after they’ve occurred. It’s a stressful time, and it’s understandable that in the stress of a situation a relative doesn’t think to call the church, but it pains clergy immensely to know they weren’t there to support a parishioner when they were needed the most. The solution to this is to make plans and communicate them. I have advanced directives and funeral plans, and I’ve communicated them to my family members and they know how important it is for my illness or death to be reported to the church. It should be the same for all of us as Christians. It not only frees our family members from the burden of having to make those tough decisions themselves, it’s a spiritually beneficial practice to acknowledge our mortality and our hope in Christ as our savior. Ideally this service is done by a priest for a Christian, from their church, and with the Eucharist, but this service is very flexible. It could even be done by a lay person authorized by the diocese for a non-Christian. Christian burial isn’t a sacrament, so non-Christians can be buried, but the service does need to be changed to acknowledge they didn’t have a saving faith in Jesus Christ. That’s because burying the dead has always been seen as a Christian act of mercy in the same light as visiting the sick, feeding the hungry, and sheltering the homeless. Even though they may have died, we can still show our Christian love for the deceased by burying them. I pray you all have a blessed Fifth Sunday of Epiphany!

Concerning the Burial of the Dead The death of a member of the Church should be reported as soon as possible to, and arrangements for the funeral should be made in consultation with, the Minister of the Congregation. The Baptized are properly buried from a church. This Burial Office is intended for those who have been baptized and profess the Christian Faith. Portions of this Office may be adapted for other circumstances. The coffin is to be closed before the liturgy, and it remains closed thereafter. It is appropriate that it be covered with a funeral pall or other suitable covering. The Committal normally follows the burial liturgy, at the place where the remains are to be interred. If necessary, the Committal and interment may take place before the burial liturgy. The Committal may also be used prior to cremation. A Priest normally presides at the liturgy. It is appropriate that the Bishop, when present, preside at the Eucharist and pronounce the Commendation. When the services of a Priest cannot be obtained, a Deacon or lay reader may preside at the liturgy. It is desirable that the Lesson from the Old Testament and the Epistle be read by lay persons. At the burial of a child, the passages from Lamentations, 1 John, and John 6, together with Psalm 23, are recommended. It is customary that the Officiant meet the body and go before it into the church (page 247) or towards the grave.  The anthems at the beginning of the liturgy are sung or said as the body is borne into the church, or during the entrance of the Ministers, or by the Officiant standing in the accustomed place.