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A MEMORIAL SERVICE
**To commemorate the passing into Spirit Life of one
who is well-loved
(and who has given faithful service).
HYMN
(Appropriate: "How bright these glorious spirits
shine")
MINISTER
Dear friends, we are privileged to be here to commemorate
the journey of our friend
(and fellow worker)
into the Spiritual World, and into those bright realms
of peace and joy which God has prepared for those who
love Him. We do not come here to bid him/her farewell
but rather to express our love and understanding, and
to congratulate him/her that he/she has now entered
into a freer and fuller life, where he/she will be
unimpeded by a physical body so prone to pain and weakness. (We give thanks for the years of unselfish service,
effort and courage, so evident to those who knew him/her;
for the privilege of his/her companionship for so long;
and we pray that we may benefit by his/her example,
and follow the unselfish way taken by him/her with
perfect faith in God). May I ask you, therefore, to do your utmost to put
aside personal feelings of grief and loneliness, and
to hold fast to the thought that this is not the time
for mourning, but rather for thanksgiving for an earthly
life well-lived.
**The Minister will then say:
LET US PRAY
OUR FATHER, Who art in Heaven, all hallowed be Thy Name.
Thy Kingdom come. Thy Will be done on Earth as it is
in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive
us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass
against us. When in temptation Thy love sustains us,
and deliver us from evil. For Thine is the Kingdom,
the Power and the Glory. For ever and for ever. Amen.
**Here, the Minister may continue, unbroken, with the
following prayers, OR there may be a HYMN and TRIBUTE
(if so then the Minister will say):
LET US PRAY
O
LOVING Father, we give thanks to Thee for the great
gifts of friendship and family ties, and for the knowledge
that physical death is but the transition into a fairer
state of life (where all those hopes and longings of the Spirit for
Thy work and for humanity, may at last be realised.
We know that there will be many to greet our friend,
many to teach and guide him/her, so that he/she may
eventually attain those spiritual heights for which
his/her soul has longed.)
BLESS those who love him/her and his/her many friends,
and help them to become still more aware that the passing
of a loved one does not mean separation, but the continuation
of affection. Let them feel that not only can he/she
frequent their homes but, while sleep holds the body,
they can be together in the World of Spirit, thus strengthening
the ties which bind them together.
KEEP us from unbroken sorrow and self-pity, and grant
that our faith may rise triumphant over this great
test, so that others who are grief-stricken may be
able to believe in Thy eternal promise, that those
who love Thee shall never see death but enter into
Life more abundantly. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READING
(Appropriate: Rev.22: 1-5 & 11-14)
HYMN
(Appropriate: "O happy band of pilgrims";
The Pilgrims hymn by John Bunyan: "He who would
valiant be," or a favourite hymn of the one whose
passing is being commemorated.)
CLOSING PRAYER
Minister:
LET US PRAY
FATHER of Love, as we take our separate ways, encouraged
and upheld by this Service, grant that Thy blessing
may go with us, holding in our minds the thoughts that
link us closely to our dear one in Spirit. With grateful
hearts we thank Thee for Thy love, and the help that
is passed on to us by Thy Angel Messengers. May we
ever respond to their holy guidance, so that we pass
through this short stage of earthly life strengthened
in faith, and with our vision surely fixed upon the
glorious Life that is to come. Amen.
**The Minister will let the people depart with this
blessing:
The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep
your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of
God, and of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the
blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and
the Holy Spirit, be amongst you, and remain with you
always. Amen.
PAX DEI
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