The Scottish Book of Common Prayer (1929): Burial · The Scottish Book of Common Prayer (1929): Title Page & Table of Contents

The Book of Common Prayer

	The Scottish Book of Common Prayer (1929)

THE ORDER FOR
THE BURIAL OF THE DEAD
Here
is to be noted, that the Office ensuing is not to be used for any that
die unbaptized, or excommunicate, or die in the act of committing any
grievous crime, or have laid violent hands upon themselves.
THE PROCESSION
The
Minister and Clerks meeting the body at the entrance of the Burial Ground,
and going before it, either into the church, or towards the grave, shall
sing or say one or more of the following Sentences.
I
AM the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord: he that believeth
in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth
and believeth in me shall never die. St. John 11. 26, 26.
I
KNOW that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand up at the last
upon the earth. Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold,
and not another. Job 19. 25, 27.
WE
brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing
out. The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the Name
of the Lord. 1 Timothy 6. 7. Job 1.
21.
LET
not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In
my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have
told you. I go to prepare a place for you. St. John 14. 1, 2.
REMEMBER
not the sins and offences of my youth: but according to thy mercy think
thou upon me, O Lord, for thy goodness. Psalm 25. 6.
THE
eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.
Deuteronomy 33. 27.
BLESSED
are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. St. Matthew
5. 4.
NEITHER
death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things
present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature,
shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ
Jesus our Lord. Romans 8. 38, 39.
WHETHER
we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the
Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. For to this
end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both
of the dead and living. Romans 14. 8, 9.
Any
of the Penitential Psalms (6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143) may
be added, and are specially suitable for use before the funeral, if
the body hath already been brought into the church.
THE SERVICE IN CHURCH
After
they are come into the church, shall be sung or said one or more of
these Psalms following.
Instead of the Gloria Patri to the Psalms may be sung
or said,
Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord : and let light perpetual shine
upon them.
Anthem. O Saviour of the world, who by thy
cross and precious Blood hast redeemed us: save us, and help us, we
humbly beseech thee, O Lord.
PSALM
23. Dominus reqit me.
THE
Lord is my shepherd : therefore can I lack nothing.
2 He shall feed me in a green pasture : and lead
me forth beside the waters of comfort.
3 He shall convert my soul : and bring me forth in
the paths of righteousness, for his Name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow
of death, I will fear no evil : for thou art with me; thy rod and thy
staff comfort me.
5 Thou shalt prepare a table before me against them
that trouble me : thou hast anointed my head with oil, and my cup shall
be full.
6 But thy loving-kindness and mercy shall follow
me all the days of my life : and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
for ever.
Glory
be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall
be : world without end. Amen.
PSALM
39. Dixi, Custodiam.
I
SAID, I will take heed to my ways: that I offend not in my tongue.
2 I will keep my mouth as it were with a bridle while
the ungodly is in my sight.
3 I held my tongue, and spake nothing : I kept silence,
yea, even from good words; but it was pain and grief to me.
4 My heart was hot within me, and while I was thus
musing the fire kindled : and at the last I spake with my tongue;
5 Lord, let me know mine end, and the number of my
days : that I may be certified how long I have to live.
6 Behold, thou hast made my days as it were a span
long : and mine age is even as nothing in respect of thee; and verily
every man living is altogether vanity.
7 For man walketh in a vain shadow, and disquieteth
himself in vain : he heapeth up riches, and cannot tell who shall gather
them.
8 And now, Lord, what is my hope : truly my hope
is even in thee.
9 Deliver me from all mine offences : and make me
not a rebuke unto the foolish.
10 I became dumb, and opened not my mouth for it
was thy doing.
11 Take thy plague away from me : I am even consumed
by the means of thy heavy hand.
12 When thou with rebukes dost chasten man for sin,
thou makest his beauty to consume away, like as it were a moth fretting
a garment : every man therefore is but vanity.
13 Hear my prayer, O Lord, and with thine ears consider
my calling : hold not thy peace at my tears.
14 For I am a stranger with thee : and a sojourner,
as all my fathers were.
15 O spare me a little, that I may recover my strength
: before I go hence, and be no more seen.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall
be : world without end. Amen.
PSALM
90. Domine, refugium.
LORD,
thou hast been our refuge : from one generation to another.
2 Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever
the earth and the world were made : thou art God from everlasting, and
world without end.
3 Thou turnest man to destruction : again thou sayest,
Come again, ye children of men.
4 For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday
: seeing that is past as a watch in the night.
5 As soon as thou scatterest them they are even as
a sleep : and fade away suddenly like the grass.
6 In the morning it is green, and groweth up but
in the evening it is cut down, dried up, and withered.
7 For we consume away in thy displeasure and are
afraid at thy wrathful indignation.
8 Thou hast set our misdeeds before thee : and our
secret sins in the light of thy countenance.
9 For when thou art angry all our days are gone :
we bring our years to an end, as it were a tale that is told.
10 The days of our age are threescore years and ten;
and though men be so strong that they come to fourscore years : yet
is their strength then but labour and sorrow; so soon passeth it away,
and we are gone.
11 But who regardeth the power of thy wrath for even
thereafter as a man feareth, so is thy displeasure.
12 So teach us to number our days : that we may apply
our hearts unto wisdom.
13 Turn thee again, O Lord, at the last : and be
gracious unto thy servants.
14 O satisfy us with thy mercy. and that soon so
shall we rejoice and be glad all the days of our life.
15 Comfort us again now after the time that thou
hast plagued us : and for the years wherein we have suffered adversity.
16 Shew thy servants thy work : and their children
thy glory.
17 And the glorious majesty of the Lord our God be
upon us : prosper thou the work of our hands upon us, O prosper thou
our handy-work.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall
be: world without end. Amen.
PSALM
103. Benedic, anima mea.
PRAISE
the Lord, O my soul : and forget not all his benefits;
3 Who forgiveth all thy sin : and healeth all thine
infirmities;
4 Who saveth thy life from destruction : and crowneth
thee with mercy and loving-kindness.
13 Yea, like as a father pitieth his own children
: even so is the Lord merciful unto them that fear him.
14 For he knoweth whereof we are made : he remembereth
that we are but dust.
15 The days of man are but as grass : for he flourisheth
as a flower of the field.
16 For as soon as the wind goeth over it, it is gone
: and the place thereof shall know it no more.
17 But the merciful goodness of the Lord endureth
for ever and ever upon them that fear him : and his righteousness upon
children's children.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall
be : world without end. Amen.
PSALM
116. Dilexi, quoniam.
I
AM well pleased : that the Lord hath heard the voice of my prayer;
2 That he hath inclined his ear unto me : therefore
will I call upon him as long as I live.
3 The snares of death compassed me round about :
and the pains of hell gat hold upon me.
4 I shall find trouble and heaviness, and I will
call upon the Name of the Lord : O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my
soul.
5 Gracious is the Lord, and righteous : yea, our
God is merciful.
6 The Lord preserveth the simple : I was in misery,
and he helped me.
7 Turn again then unto thy rest, O my soul for the
Lord hath rewarded thee.
8 And why? thou hast delivered my soul from death
: mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.
9 I will walk before the Lord : in the land of the
living.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall
be : world without end. Amen.
PSALM
130. De profundis.
OUT
of the deep have I called unto thee, O Lord : Lord, hear my voice.
2 O let thine ears consider well : the voice of my
complaint.
3 If thou, Lord, wilt be extreme to mark what is
done amiss : O Lord, who may abide it?
4 For there is mercy with thee : therefore shalt
thou be feared.
5 I look for the Lord; my soul doth wait for him
: in his word is my trust.
6 My soul fleeth unto the Lord : before the morning
watch, I say, before the morning watch.
7 O Israel, trust in the Lord, for with the Lord
there is mercy : and with him is plenteous redemption.
8 And he shall redeem Israel : from all his sins.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall
be : world without end. Amen.
Anthem. O Saviour of the world, who by thy cross and precious Blood
hast redeemed us : say us, and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord.
Then
shall follow the Lesson taken out of the fifteenth chapter of the former
Epistle of Saint Paul to the Corinthians.
1
Corinthians 15. 20.
NOW
is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first-fruits of them that
slept For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection
of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be
made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the first-fruits;
afterward they that are Christ's, at his coming. Then cometh the end,
when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father;
when he shall have put down all rule, and all authority, and power.
For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The
last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
But some man will say, How are the dead raised up?
and with what body do they come? Thou fool, that which thou sowest is
not quickened, except it die. And that which thou sowest, thou sowest
not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat,
or of some other grain: but God giveth it a body, as it hath pleased
him, and to every seed his own body. All flesh is not the same flesh;
but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another
of fishes, and another of birds. There are also celestial bodies, and
bodies terrestrial; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory
of the terrestrial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another
glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differeth
from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead.
It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: it is sown in
dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised
in power: it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body.
There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is
written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was
made a quickening spirit. Howbeit, that was not first which is spiritual,
but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The
first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is from heaven. As
is the earthy, such are they that are earthy: and as is the heavenly,
such are they also, that are heavenly. And as we have borne the image
of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. Now this
I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of
God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you
a mystery: We shall not all; sleep, but we shall all be changed, in
a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet
shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall
be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this
mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have
put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality;
then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed
up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O death, where is thy victory?
The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks
be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding
in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not
in vain in the Lord.
Or
one of the following Lessons may be substituted:
St.
John 5. 24.
JESUS
said, Verily, verily I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth
on him that sent me, hath eternal life, and cometh not into judgement;
but hath passed out of death into life. Verily, verily I say unto you,
The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of
the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath
life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
and hath given him authority to execute judgement also, because he is
the Son of Man.
St.
John 6. 37.
JESUS
said, All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh
to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to
do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the
Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me
I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth
the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will
raise him up at the last day.
St.
John 11. 21.
THEN
said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had
not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God,
God will give it thee. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise
again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the
resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection,
and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall
he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest
thou this? She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the
Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
2 Corinthians
4. 16.
FOR
which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the
inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is
but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight
of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen but at the
things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal;
but the things which are not seen are eternal. For we know that if our
earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building
of God, an. house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in
this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house
which is from heaven: if so be that being clothed we shall not be found
naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened:
not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality
might be swallowed up of life. Now he that hath wrought us for the self-same
thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home
in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (for we walk by faith, not
by sight:) we are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent
from the body, and to be at home with the Lord. Wherefore we labour,
that, whether at home or absent, we may be accepted of him. For we must
all be made manifest before the judgement-seat of Christ; that every
one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath
done, whether it be good or bad.
1 Thessalonians
4. 13.
I
WOULD not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are
asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if
we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep
in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word
of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the
Lord shall not precede them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall
descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and
with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then
we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them
in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be
with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Revelation
7. 9.
AFTER
this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number,
of all nations, and kindreds, and peoples, and tongues, stood before
the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms
in their hands; and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our
God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels
stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four living
creatures, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped
God, saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving,
and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever:
Amen. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these
which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto
him, Sir, thou knowest And he said to me, These are they which came
out of the great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made
them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne
of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth
on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither
thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.
For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and
shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe
away all tears from their eyes.
Revelation
21. 3.
I
HEARD a great voice out of the throne saying, Be hold, the tabernacle
of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his
peoples, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God
shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more
death. neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain:
for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne
said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for
these words are true and faithful.
These
Lessons are also suitable for a Service in the house.
Then the Minister shall say,
Lord,
have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
OUR
Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name, Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our
daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that
trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us
from evil. Amen.
The
following Versicles and Responses may then be said.
Minister. Enter not into judgement with thy servant, O Lord;
Answer. For in thy sight shall no man living
be justified.
Minister. Grant him, O Lord, eternal
rest;
Answer. And let light perpetual shine upon
him.
Minister. We believe verily to see the goodness
of the Lord;
Answer. In the land of the living.
Minister. O Lord, hear our prayer;
Answer. And let our cry come unto thee.
Then
shall be said one or more of the following prayers, the Minister first
saying,
Let
us pray.
ALMIGHTY
God, with whom do live the spirits of them that depart hence in the
Lord, and with whom the souls of the faithful, after they are delivered
from the burden of the flesh, are in joy and felicity: We beseech thee
that it may please thee, of thy gracious goodness, shortly to accomplish
the number of thine elect, and to hasten thy kingdom; that we, with
all those that are departed in the true faith of thy holy Name, may
have our perfect consummation and bliss, both in body and soul, in thy
eternal and everlasting glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The
Collect.
O
MERCIFUL God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the resurrection
and the life; in whom whosoever believeth shall live, though he die;
and whosoever liveth, and believeth in him, shall not die eternally;
who also hath taught us (by his holy Apostle Saint Paul) not to be sorry,
as men without hope, for them that sleep in him: We meekly beseech thee,
O Father, to raise us from the death of sin unto the life of righteousness;
that, when we shall depart this life, we may rest in him, as our hope
is this our brother doth; and that, at the general resurrection
in the last day, we may be found acceptable in thy sight, and receive
that blessing, which thy well-beloved Son shall then pronounce to all
that love and fear thee, saying, Come, ye blessed children of my Father,
receive the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world.
Grant this, we beseech, thee, O merciful Father, through Jesus Christ,
our Mediator and Redeemer. Amen.
ALMIGHTY
God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and
put upon us the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life,
in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that
in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious Majesty to
judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal;
through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, now
and ever. Amen.
ALMIGHTY
and Everlasting God, who, of thy tender love towards mankind, hast sent
thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon him our flesh, and to
suffer death upon the cross, that all mankind should follow the example
of his great humility: Mercifully grant, that we may both follow the
example of his patience, and also be made partakers of his resurrection;
through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
GRANT,
O Lord, that as we are baptized into the death of thy blessed Son our
Saviour Jesus Christ, so by continual mortifying our corrupt affections
we may be buried with him; and that through the grave, and gate of death,
we may pass to our joyful resurrection; for his merits, who died, and
was buried, and rose again for us, thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
GRANT,
we beseech thee, merciful Lord, to thy faithful people pardon and peace,
that they may be cleansed from all their sins, and serve thee with a
quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
ALMIGHTY
God, the fountain of all wisdom, who knowest our necessities before
we ask, and our ignorance in asking: We beseech thee to have compassion
upon our infirmities; and those things which for our unworthiness we
dare not, and for our blindness we cannot ask, vouchsafe to give us,
for the worthiness of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
WE
humbly beseech thee, O Father, mercifully to look upon our infirmities;
and for the glory of thy Name turn from us all those evils that we most
righteously have deserved; and grant that in all our troubles we may
put our whole trust and confidence in thy mercy, and evermore serve
thee in holiness and pureness of living, to thy honour and glory; through
our only Mediator and Advocate, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O
GOD the King of Saints, we praise and magnify thy holy Name for all
thy servants who have finished their course in thy faith and fear, for
the Blessed Virgin Mary, for the holy Patriarchs, Prophets, Apostles,
and Martyrs, and for all other thy righteous servants; and we beseech
thee that, encouraged by their example, strengthened by their fellowship,
and aided by their prayers, we may attain unto everlasting life; through
the merits of thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
ALMIGHTY
God, with whom do live the spirits of them that depart hence in the
Lord, and with whom the souls of the faithful, after they are delivered
from the burden of the flesh, are in joy and felicity: We praise and
magnify thy holy Name for all thy servants who have finished their course
in thy faith and fear; and we most humbly beseech thee that, at the
day of the general resurrection, we, and all they who are of the mystical
body of thy Son, may be set on his right hand, and hear that his most
joyful voice, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared
for you from the foundation of the world. Grant this, O merciful Father,
for the sake of Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.
O
ALMIGHTY God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, who by a voice from
heaven didst proclaim, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord: Multiply,
we beseech thee, to those who rest in Jesus, the manifold blessings
of thy love, that the good work which thou didst begin in them may be
perfected unto the day of Jesus Christ. And of thy mercy, O heavenly
Father, vouchsafe that we, who now serve thee here on earth, may at
the last, together with them, be found meet to be partakers of the inheritance
of the saints in light; for the sake of the same thy Son Jesus Christ,
our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
A prayer
for those in sorrow.
O
HEAVENLY Father, whose blessed Son Jesus Christ did weep at the grave
of Lazarus his friend: Look, we beseech thee, with compassion upon those
who are now in sorrow and affliction; comfort them, 0 Lord, with thy
gracious consolations; make them to know that all things work together
for good to them that love thee; and grant them evermore sure trust
and confidence in thy fatherly care; through the same Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
This
prayer may be said also in any time of calamity.
REMEMBER
thy servant, O Lord, according to the favour which thou bearest unto
thy people, and grant that, increasing in knowledge and love of thee,
he may go from strength to strength, and attain to the fulness of joy
in thy heavenly kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and
reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, now and ever. Amen.
O
FATHER of all, we pray to thee for those we love, but see no longer.
Grant them thy peace; let light perpetual shine upon them; and in thy
loving wisdom and almighty power work in them the good purpose of thy
perfect will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
2
Corinthians 13. 14.
THE
grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship
of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen.
MAY
the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in
peace. Amen.
Any
of the prayers may be said at the grave, and The Grace added.
The Service in church may be used at Memorial
Services.
THE BURIAL
When
they come to the grave, while the body is made ready to be laid into
the earth, the Minister shall say, or the Minister and Clerks shall
sing:
MAN
that is born of a woman hath but a short time to live, and is full of
misery. He cometh up, and is cut down, like a flower; he fleeth as it
were a shadow, and never continueth in one stay.
In the midst of life we are in death: of whom may
we seek for succour, but of thee, O Lord, who for our sins art justly
displeased?
Yet, O Lord God most holy, O Lord most mighty, O
holy and most merciful Saviour, deliver us not into the bitter pains
of eternal death.
Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts; shut
not thy merciful ears to our prayer; but spare us, Lord most holy, O
God most mighty, O holy and merciful Saviour, thou most worthy Judge
eternal, suffer us not, at our last hour, for any pains of death, to
fall from thee.
Then,
while the earth shall be cast upon the body by some standing by, the
Minister shall say,
WE
commend into thy hands, most merciful Father, the soul of this our brother
departed, and we commit his body to the ground, earth to
earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in sure and certain hope of the
general resurrection in the last day and the life of the world to come;
through our Lord Jesus Christ, who shall fashion anew the body of our
low estate that it may be like unto his glorious body, according to
the mighty working whereby he is able to subdue all things unto himself.
At
a cremation say to be consumed by fire, and at a burial after
cremation say we commit his ashes to the ground, earth to
earth, dust to dust, or we commit his ashes to their resting-place.
At
the burial of the dead at sea, the words to the deep shall be
substituted for the words to the ground, and the words earth
to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust shall be omitted.
Then shall be sung or said,
I
HEARD a voice from heaven, saying unto me, Write: From henceforth blessed
are the dead which die in the Lord: Even so, saith the Spirit, for they
rest from their labours.
2
Corinthians 13. 14.
THE
grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the God, and the fellowship of the
Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen.
If
the weather be inclement or the relations of the deceased desire it,
any or all parts of the Service may be said in the church (or in the
house) except the Committal to the ground.
THE COMMUNION
The
Collect.
O
MERCIFUL God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the resurrection
and the life; in whom whosoever believeth shall live, though he die;
and whosoever liveth, and believeth in him, shall not die eternally;
who also hath taught us (by his holy Apostle Saint Paul) not to be sorry,
as men without hope, for them that sleep in him: We meekly beseech thee,
O Father, to raise us from the death of sin unto the life of righteousness;
that, when we shall depart this life, we may rest in him, as our hope
is this our brother doth; and that, at the general resurrection
in the last day, we may be found acceptable in thy sight, and receive
that blessing, which thy well-beloved Son shall then pronounce to all
that love and fear thee, saying, Come, ye blessed children of my Father,
receive the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world.
Grant this, we beseech thee, O merciful Father, through Jesus Christ,
our Mediator and Redeemer. Amen.
The
Epistle. 1 Thessalonians 4. 13.
I
WOULD not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are
asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if
we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep
in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word
of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the
Lord shall not precede them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall
descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and
with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then
we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them
in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be
with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Or
this,
1
Corinthians 15. 50.
NOW
this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom
of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew
you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the
trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and
we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption,
and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall
have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality;
then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed
up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O death, where is thy victory?
The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks
be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding
in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not
in vain in the Lord.
The
Gospel. St. John 6. 37.
JESUS
said, All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh
to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from heaven, not to
do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. And this is the
Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me
I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth
the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will
raise him up at the last day.
Or
this,
St.
John 11. 21.
THEN
said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had
not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God,
God will give it thee. Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise
again. Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the
resurrection at the last day. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection,
and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall
he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest
thou this? She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the
Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
It
is desirable, where possible to have a celebration of Holy Communion
on the morning of the burial, with the special Collect, Epistle, and
Gospel appointed above.
At
Holy Communion in connexion with burials or at memorials of the departed,
if the Agnus Dei be sung or said for have mercy upon us,
and grant us thy peace, substitute grant them rest,
and grant them rest eternal.
BENEDICTION OF A GRAVE IN UNCONSECRATED GROUND
When
the Priest and people shall have come to the place the Priest shall
say,
Let
us pray.
O
LORD Jesu Christ, who wast laid in the new tomb of Joseph, and didst
thereby sanctify the grave to be a bed of hope to thy people: Vouchsafe,
we beseech thee, to bless, hallow, and consecrate this grave, that it
may be a resting-place, peaceful and secure, for the body of thy servant
which we are about to commit to thy gracious keeping; who art the resurrection
and the life, and who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy
Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.
AT THE BURIAL OF BAPTIZED CHILDREN OF TENDER YEARS
THE PROCESSION
The
Minister and Clerks meeting the body at the entrance of the Burial Ground,
and going before it, either into the church, or towards the grace, shall
sing or say one or more of the following Sentences.
JESUS
said, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not:
for of such is the kingdom of God. St. Mark 10. 14.
I
AM the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord: he that believeth
in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth
and believeth in me shall never die. St. John 11. 25, 26.
I
KNOW that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand up at the last
upon the earth. Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold,
and not another. Job 19. 25, 27.
WE
brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing
out. The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the Name
of the Lord. 1 Timothy 6. 7. Job 1. 21.
LET
not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In
my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have
told you. I go to prepare a place for you. St. John 14. 1, 2.
THE
eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.
Deuteronomy 33. 27.
BLESSED
are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. St. Matthew
5. 4.
NEITHER
death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things
present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature,
shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ
Jesus our Lord. Romans 8. 38, 39.
WHETHER
we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the
Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. For to this
end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both
of the dead and living. Romans 14. 8, 9.
THE SERVICE IN CHURCH
After
they are come into the church, shall be sung or said this Psalm.
Anthem. O Saviour of the world, who by thy cross and precious
Blood hast redeemed us: save us, and help us, we humbly beseech thee,
O Lord.
PSALM
23. Dominus regit me.
THE
Lord is my shepherd : therefore can I lack nothing.
2 He shall feed me in a green pasture : and lead
me forth beside the waters of comfort.
3 He shall convert my soul : and bring me forth in
the paths of righteousness, for his Name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow
of death, I will fear no evil : for thou art with me; thy rod and thy
staff comfort me.
5 Thou shalt prepare a table before me against them
that trouble me : thou hast anointed my head with oil, and my cup shall
be full.
6 But thy loving-kindness and mercy shall follow
me all the days of my life : and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
for ever.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the
Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall
be : world without end. Amen.
Anthem. O Saviour of the world, who by thy cross and precious Blood
hast redeemed us: save us, and help us, we humbly beseech thee, O Lord.
Then
shall follow the Lesson.
St.
Matthew 18. 1.
THE
disciples came unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom
of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in
the midst of them, and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye turn,
and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of
heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child,
the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive
one such little child in my Name, receiveth me. But whoso shall cause
one of these little ones which believe in me to stumble, it were better
for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were
drowned in the depth of the sea. Take heed that ye despise not one of
these little ones; for I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do
always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.
Then
the Minister shall say,
Lord,
have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
OUR
Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name, Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our
daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that
trespass against us; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us
from evil. Amen.
The
following Versicles and Responses may then be said.
Minister. Enter not into judgement with thy servant, O Lord;
Answer. For in thy sight shall no man living
be justified.
Minister. Grant him, O Lord, eternal
rest;
Answer. And let light perpetual shine upon
him.
Minister. We believe verily to see the goodness
of the Lord;
Answer. In the land of the living.
Minister. O Lord, hear our prayer;
Answer. And let our cry come unto thee.
Then
shall be said the following prayers, the Minister first saying,
Let
us pray.
O
HEAVENLY Father, whose face the angels of the little ones do always
behold in heaven: Grant us stedfastly to believe that this little child
hath been taken into the safekeeping of thine eternal love; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O
LORD Jesu Christ, who didst take little children into thine arms and
bless them: Open thou our eyes, we beseech thee, that we may perceive
that thou hast now taken this child into the arms of thy love, and hast
bestowed upon him. the blessings of thy gracious favour; who
livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, world
without end. Amen.
WE
yield thee hearty thanks, most merciful Father, that it hath pleased
thee to regenerate this child with thy Holy Spirit, to receive him
for thine own by adoption, and to incorporate him into thy
holy Church. And humbly we beseech thee to grant that, as he is
made partaker of the death of thy Son, he may also be partaker
of his resurrection; so that finally, with the residue of thy holy Church,
he may be an inheritor of thine everlasting kingdom; through
Christ our Lord. Amen.
When
a child is buried at the same time with an adult person, one or more
of the above prayers may be added to the Burial Office before The
Grace.
2 Corinthians 13. 14.
THE
grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the of God, and the fellowship of
the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen.
THE BURIAL
When
they come to the grace, while the body is made ready to be laid into
the earth, the Minister shall say, or the Minister and clerics shall
sing:
MAN
that is born of a woman hath but a short time to live, and is full of
misery. He cometh up, and is cut down, like a flower; he fleeth as it
were a shadow, and never continueth in one stay.
In the midst of life we are in death: of whom may
we seek for succour, but of thee, O Lord, who for our sins art justly
displeased?
Yet, O Lord God most holy, O Lord most mighty, O
holy and most merciful Saviour, deliver us not into the bitter pains
of eternal death.
Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts; shut
not thy merciful ears to our prayer; but spare us, Lord most holy, O
God most mighty, O holy and merciful Saviour, thou most worthy Judge
eternal, suffer us not, at our last hour, for any pains of death, to
fall from thee.
Then,
while the earth shall be cast upon the body by some standing by, the
Minister shall say,
WE
commend into thy hands, most merciful Father, the soul of this our brother
departed, and we commit his body to the ground, earth to
earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in sure and certain hope of the
general resurrection in the last day and the life of the world to come;
through our Lord Jesus Christ, who shall fashion anew the body of our
low estate that it may be like unto his glorious body, according to
the mighty working whereby he is able to subdue all things unto himself.
Then
shall be sung or said,
I
HEARD a voice from heaven, saying unto me, Write: From henceforth blessed
are the dead which die in the Lord: Even so, saith the Spirit, for they
rest from their labours.
2
Corinthians 13. 14.
THE
grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship
of the Holy Ghost, be with us all evermore. Amen.

Return to the Scottish Book of Common Prayer

Web author: Charles	U.
Wohlers	S. •
	England • Scotland
	• Ireland • Wales
	• Canada • World