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Guide for Ministers
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- 4.1 General notes concerning the divine service
- 4.2 General regulations
- 4.2.1 General regulations: Preparing the divine service space
- 4.2.2 General regulations : Scheduling for divine services
- 4.2.3 General regulations: Greeting and farewell
- 4.2.4 General regulations: Transmission of divine services
- 4.3 Spiritual preparation
- 4.4 Length of divine services
- 4.5 Liturgy
- 4.5.1 The liturgy of the divine service (short version)
- 4.5.2 Explanations on the liturgy
- 4.5.3 Additional liturgical regulations
- 4.5.4 Requirements of the sermon
- 4.6 Special types of divine services
- 4.6.1 Word service
- 4.6.2 Word service in which Holy Communion can be taken
- 4.6.3 Divine service for the departed
- 4.6.4 Dedication service
- 4.6.5 Decommissioning service
- 4.6.6 Wedding service
- 4.6.7 Funeral service
- 4.7 Dispensation of sacraments and acts of blessing outside of the divine service
4.6.7 Funeral service
A funeral service is first and foremost a reference to the fact that God is the Lord over life and death. It serves to commemorate the departed individual and to comfort and strengthen the bereaved through the Holy Spirit.
Even when confronted with death and despair, we can recall the promise of the gospel that Jesus Christ is the life[41].
Above all, our comfort lies in the hope of Christ’s return and the associated resurrection of the dead in Christ.[42]
The congregation assembled for the funeral surrounds the bereaved and imparts sympathy and security.
The funeral can take place at the cemetery, in one of our churches, at a funeral parlour, or—depending on regional custom—at the home of the family.
4.6.7.1 Word service on the occasion of a funeral
The sequence of the funeral service corresponds to that of a word service and is conducted by a priestly minister or an Apostle. The sequence is the same for all types of burial. The service can take place directly with the interment or on a separate occasion.
In addition to the interpretation of the Bible text, the sermon can also include references to the life of the deceased, or a short curriculum vitae of the deceased can be read.
The surrendering of the body and the blessing take place following the sermon portion. As a rule, both should take place at the interment because the words with which the body is surrendered are accompanied by a corresponding act (gesture of blessing).
If the interment takes place without a minister or a body, the surrendering of the body and the blessing take place during the funeral service.
4.6.7.2 Surrendering of the body and funeral blessing
For all types of burial, the liturgical text for the surrendering of the body is as follows:
“I now return the transitory body to the earth with the words: ‘Earth to earth, dust to dust, ashes to ashes.’ Soul and spirit, however, I commend to the love of Jesus Christ who shall guard over it until the resurrection to eternal life.”
The blessing is administered directly thereafter with the gesture of blessing, that is, with extended arms:
“The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore. Amen.“[43]
Following this, the congregation can join in the Lord’s Prayer. This is followed by the closing prayer and benediction. The funeral service itself is concluded with the threefold “Amen” sung by the congregation.
For the prayers and the surrendering of the body the congregation stands. For the congregational singing it follows the officiant’s lead.
Eulogies, which are common in certain regions, can be incorporated into the funeral service, preferably following the benediction.
Sequence of the funeral service as an overview:
- musical contribution (optional)
- Trinitarian formula
- opening prayer
- reading of the Bible text
- musical contribution (optional)
- sermon/reading of the curriculum vitae (optional)
- musical contribution when another minister is called to assist (optional)
- other ministers called to assist
- possible surrendering of the body
- possible funeral blessing
- Lord’s Prayer (optional)
- musical contribution or moments of silence (optional)
- closing prayer
- benediction
- congregation sings the threefold “Amen”.
- eulogies (optional)
- concluding musical contribution (optional)
Interment at a later point in time
The interment at the cemetery has the following sequence (identical for burials, cremations, or burials at sea):
- musical contribution (optional)
- Trinitarian formula
- opening prayer
- musical contribution (optional)
- short address
- surrendering of the body
- blessing
- Lord’s Prayer (optional)
- closing prayer
- benediction
- eulogies (optional)
- concluding musical contribution (optional)
The address to the mourners can have the following contents: shelter and security in God’s grace, Christ’s return, resurrection of the dead, reunion, eternal life.
Depending on local tradition, the Lord’s Prayer can also be said at a different point during the funeral service or interment.
The involvement of clergy from other denominations in funeral services is regulated by chapter 10.1.1.5 Ecumenism: Funerals