The Lutheran Funeral Rite

Question 1

• Began in 1517 as a protest by Martin Luther, a Roman Catholic priest who refused to abide by certain demans of the Pope and the Catholic church.
• Marked the beginning of the protestent movement.
• Synods
• Liturgical

Answer 1

Lutheran Church

Question 2

• Branches of Lutheran church
• Elect leaders through democratic process.
• Leaders serve limited terms under consitiutional authority.
• Local congregation owns their own property and buildings and are self-governing in their local affairs.

Answer 2

Synods

Question 3

• Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (5.9 million members).
• Missouri synod (3 million members)
• These two account for 90% of the Luterans in North America

Answer 3

Largest Synods

Question 4

• Observable rights and ceremonies
• Doctrines (basic beliefs) remain similar
• Funeral service rights may vary within communities, especially when more than one synod is present.

Answer 4

Differences Between Synods

Question 5

• Unless otherwise expressed by a local pastor, usually not necessary at the time death occurs.
• The family’s relationship with the church and/or the pastor will determine the point at which the pastor is notified.
  
  • present at time of death, or
  • not present until arrangements are being made.

Answer 5

Notification of Death

Question 6

No restrictions or requirements.

Answer 6

Removal of the Remains

Question 7

• Usually based on choices made by the family.
• Embalming is permitted and often chosen by the family.

Answer 7

Preparation of the Remains

Question 8

• Choices of clothing and casket are entirely up to the family.
• No special requirements from the church.

Answer 8

Dressing and Casketing the Remains

Question 9

• Traditionally held in church and is still a preference today among pastors and families. (This is not a church requirement and the choice is up to the family).
• Location of the funeral will play a role in the type of funeral service held.
• Flowers are permitted at the church.

Answer 9

Pre-Service Considerations

Question 10

• Church or Funeral Home
• Rubrics
• Pall
• Processional
• Communion
• Recessional

Answer 10

The Funeral Service

Question 11

• Much of the religious paraphernalia which accompany liturgical services will be used.
  
  • Altar is the focal point
  • acolytes
  • cross
  • candles
  • pall
  • inscense
• Rubrics will be found in the hymnals and other special readings will be followed.

Answer 11

Service at Church

Question 12

• Dictates a closed casket during the funeral service which often results in viewing the deceased in the narthex of the church prior to the beginning of the funeral service.
• Placed on the casket just prior to te processional into the church.

Answer 12

Use of Pall

Question 13

• Crossbearer leads followed by:
  
  • pastor
  • casketbearers
  • casket
  • family
• Funeral directors would be intersped to assist in the seating of the casketbearer and family.
• Funeral directors also see to the positioning of the casket, either parallel or at right angles to the altar.

Answer 13

Processional

Question 14

May be offered as part of the funeral if it is the wish of the family.

Answer 14

Communion

Question 15

Return the funeral party to their automobiles for the trip to the site of the committal service.

Answer 15

Recessional

Question 16

Or some place other than the Church, the service will more closely resemble a non-liturgical protestant service.

• Use of rubrics, acolytes, the pall, inscense, the processional and recessional may be eliminated outside of the church.

Answer 16

Funeral at Funeral Home

Question 17

The use of this is discouraged. It may be used in some cases.

Answer 17

Cremation

Question 18

• Intermet and Entombment are most often the preferred means of final disposition
• Usually includes prayer, scripture readings, and the committal of the body to its final resting place.
• Flower petals or earth may be used to make the sign of the cross upon the casket.

Answer 18

The Committal Service