A Reflection for those unable to attend a funeral

A Simple Reflection

at home on the day of a funeral you can't attend

Neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8.38 -39

Before you find a place to sit quietly, you might like to find a photograph of the person who has died, write down some special memories, or play a special piece of music that connects you with the person you are remembering today. Think about those who are at the funeral and pray for them.

[Where it says ‘N’ in a prayer, just say the name of your person].

You might like to light a candle. Then pray:

Be with us, loving God.Hear our prayers and comfort us in our loss,and help us to trust in your Son Jesus,whom you raised from the dead.Strengthen our faith and renew our hopethat N and all those we love will share in hisresurrection.Amen.

Read Psalm 23

1 The Lord is my shepherd;                            therefore can I lack nothing.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures         and leads me beside still waters.
3 He shall refresh my soul                                        and guides me in the paths of righteousness       for his name’s sake.
4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,                        I will fear no evil;                                                       for you are with me;                                              your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You spread a table before me     in the presence of those who trouble me;            you have anointed my head with oil                       and my cup shall be full.
6 Surely goodness and loving mercy shall follow me    all the days of my life,                            and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Dear God,

thank you for N, and for all that he/she meant to me and to others.

I so wanted to say goodbye.

Help me to know you are there, holding all my hopes, holding all those I love, especially N, and holding me this day too. Be close to us all this day with your peace and hope.

Amen.

Heavenly Father, you have not made us for darkness and death, but for life with you for ever.Without you we have nothing to hope for; with you we have nothing to fear.Speak to us now your words of eternal life.Lift us to the light and peace of your presence, and set the glory of your love before us today: through Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen.

Now say the Lord’s Prayer

Our Father in heaven,hallowed be your name,your kingdom come,your will be done,on earth as in heaven.Give us today our daily bread.Forgive us our sinsas we forgive those who sin against us.Lead us not into temptationbut deliver us from evil.For the kingdom, the power,and the glory are yoursnow and for ever.Amen.
(or)
Our Father, who art in heaven,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.And lead us not into temptation;but deliver us from evil.For thine is the kingdom,the power and the glory,for ever and ever.Amen.

Now pray this prayer, which is used at the end of the funeral service to say goodbye.

God our creator and redeemer,by your power Christ conquered deathand entered into glory.Confident of his victoryand claiming his promises,we entrust N to your mercyin the name of Jesus our Lord,who died and is aliveand reigns with you,now and for ever.Amen.