The Episcopal Funeral Rite

Question 1

• Traditionally liturgical
• Roots in Catholic tradition around 314 AD the Anglicans wre separated from the Pope by declaration of King Henry VIII in the 16th century.
• Comes from the Greek word episkopos meaning “bishops.”
• Both Catholic and Protestant ties. Retain all of the ancient sacraments, creeds, and orders of the Catholic church while rejecting the idea that the Bishop of Rome (Pope) has authority over the Church.
• Formed in the United States in 1789

Answer 1

Episcopal Church

Question 2

• Not necessary prior to or at the time of death
• Generally accepted
• Usually appreciated by priests that they know in a timely manner.

Answer 2

Notification of the Clergy

Question 3

• No restrictions of lay members
• Restrictions for certain members of the clergy (bishops, priests, or deacons) or different orders.

Answer 3

Removal of the Remains

Question 4

• No guidelines as to the type or amount
• Accept interment, entombment and cremation
• Embalming may or may not be desired
• The preferences of the family determine the extent of this.

Answer 4

Preparation of the Remains

Question 5

• No restrictions as to the type of clothing or casket to be used for lay persons.
• Members of clergy or certain orders may prefer the use of their ritual vestments.
• The type of casket for a member of the clergy is usually left up to the family.

Answer 5

Dressing and Casketing the Remains

Question 6

• For traditional funeral- customary to hold visitation at the funeral home.
• No special equipment is needed for the visitation
• Flowers may be displayed during the visitation at the funeral home.

Answer 6

Pre-Service Considerations

Question 7

• Held at church
• Flowers
• Processional
• Book of common prayer
• Holy communion
• Sermon
• Hymns
• Recessional
• Differences for cremation

Answer 7

The Funeral Service

Question 8

It is strongly encouraged that the funeral service will be here.

Answer 8

Church

Question 9

Generally not displayed when the funeral is held in the church.

Answer 9

Flowers

Question 10

• Pall covered casket
• Led into church by the crucifer followed by
  
  • Bishop or priest
  • Casketbearers
  • Casket
  • Family

Answer 10

Processional

Question 11

The order of worship will be found here since the Episcopal Church is classified as a liturgical protestant church.

Answer 11

Book of Common Prayer

Question 12

• Prior to the funeral service or part of the service
• Provides the observers with an opportunity to thank God for all of his blessings as well as to pray for the soul of the deceased.

Answer 12

Holy Eucharist (Holy Communion)

Question 13

• Focus is to teach the church’s beliefs concerning death.
• Basis of the belief is centers around the view that death is the beginning of a new life, re-united with God.
• No eulogy is usually given as it is considered the “prerogative of God to judge and commend.”

Answer 13

Sermon

Question 14

Commonly practiced with the congregation singing songs dealing with the Resurrection and God the Son’s victory over sin and death.

Answer 14

Use of Hymns

Question 15

• At the conclusion of teh funeral service
• The pall is removed prior to being placed back in the funeral coach.
• Placement of flowers or the American flag on the casket may occur at this point if so desired by the family.

Answer 15

Recessional

Question 16

• If this occurs after the funeral service, the services will generally remain unchanged with the exception of the committal service (at church at the end of the funeral) and there may be no recessional.
• If no service beforehand, the use of a Memorial service instead of the traditional funeral service may occur.

Answer 16

Differences with Cremation

Question 17

• Interment or Entombment- may be held at the cemetery or mausoleum.
• Composed of prayer, a short scripture reading and the symbolic committal of the casketed remains to the final resting place.
• Priest will often use sand or flower petals to make the sign of the cross on the closed casket.

Answer 17

The Committal Service