Bishop’s Note: The Committal

Bishop Eric Menees

Dear brothers and sisters,  ​ I pray that this Bishop’s Note finds you safe and well this Maundy Thursday! How appropriate it is on this, the eve of our Lord’s passion, to continue our discussion of the Burial Rite in the 2019 Book of Common Prayer. Last week, as we examined this rite we looked at the Commendation, today we look at the Committal. Before we get into discussing the actual words of the Committal I wanted to talk about this section as a whole. At the end of the last section, the Commendation, there’s a rubric that says, “As the body is borne from the church, a hymn, or one or more of these anthems, may be sung or said.” The Committal is thus the close of the Christian burial that takes place outside of the main worship space. Historically this happened in a cemetery but today it could also be at another location like a columbarium. Traditionally, Christians were buried. It’s only been in the last century that cremation has become a more common practice among Christians. It’s important to note that no matter what happens to a person’s body, it won’t prevent their resurrection. Burial was the norm for two reasons. First, burial was the practice of the Jews, and it’s what was done for Jesus when he died. Second, burial expresses the hope we have as Christians. In a way it’s setting a person’s body aside in anticipation of the resurrection. That’s why so many gravestones were marked with “rest in peace.” As mentioned last week, they’re resting in anticipation of the resurrection. Cremation is perfectly acceptable if it’s done with the same understanding. Many churches have columbariums for ashes with the knowledge that God can resurrect people from ashes and those ashes are set aside in anticipation of the resurrection. What’s problematic is when ashes are spread with the intention of returning the person to nature. It’s not that the person can’t be resurrected, but the message it conveys is something other than our Christian hope. Committal as a service is about setting aside that resting place for the remains of the dead, whatever form they take. This evening we will be invited to be with Jesus as he assures us of his sacrifice and impending resurrection, remembering even as we wait in the garden the promise and conviction we proclaim in the mystery of faith – Christ has died. Christ has risen. Christ will come again.  I pray you all have a blessed Holy Week and Easter!!!