When a loved one dies
Though we know death ultimately comes to us all, the moment of loss is always tremendously difficult. Deep emotions sweep over and through us as grief descends.
As people of faith, we know in Christ that resurrection to new and lasting life is God's will for all. Still, we need to be together when a loved one dies. We need to lean on one another. We need to share memories. We need to pray.
At Saint Anselm's we desire to walk with you through this time. We want to offer to you the solace of the Christian Gospel and of two millennia of saving tradition. We recommend that family and friends gather at church to celebrate the Eucharist in memory of the deceased. The Eucharist recalls the dying and rising of Christ, and our share in that dying and rising by our baptism. The Eucharist affords time and space for the words of Scripture to be heard. And the gift of the body and blood of Christ in the sacrament reminds us that in Christ we still are united with our loved ones, even after death.
Alternatively, the parish priest can join you at a local funeral home for a funeral service there embracing the Word of God and prayer for the deceased, without the celebration of Eucharist. The choice is yours.
After your loved one's completion of earthly life, be in touch with the funeral home of your choice. The funeral home will then contact Saint Anselm's at your request. Our parish priest would also like to meet with you to learn about your loved one before we gather in prayer.
Here are resources for the planning of a funeral in the Episcopal Church. At any point, feel free to phone the Parish Office for advice or to make an appointment with the Rector.
As people of faith, we know in Christ that resurrection to new and lasting life is God's will for all. Still, we need to be together when a loved one dies. We need to lean on one another. We need to share memories. We need to pray.
At Saint Anselm's we desire to walk with you through this time. We want to offer to you the solace of the Christian Gospel and of two millennia of saving tradition. We recommend that family and friends gather at church to celebrate the Eucharist in memory of the deceased. The Eucharist recalls the dying and rising of Christ, and our share in that dying and rising by our baptism. The Eucharist affords time and space for the words of Scripture to be heard. And the gift of the body and blood of Christ in the sacrament reminds us that in Christ we still are united with our loved ones, even after death.
Alternatively, the parish priest can join you at a local funeral home for a funeral service there embracing the Word of God and prayer for the deceased, without the celebration of Eucharist. The choice is yours.
After your loved one's completion of earthly life, be in touch with the funeral home of your choice. The funeral home will then contact Saint Anselm's at your request. Our parish priest would also like to meet with you to learn about your loved one before we gather in prayer.
Here are resources for the planning of a funeral in the Episcopal Church. At any point, feel free to phone the Parish Office for advice or to make an appointment with the Rector.
| funeralplanningform.pdf |
Every experience of human loss is unique and unrepeatable. But there are shared lessons about love and grief that may be present in them all. This Ted talk may open some of these for you at this difficult time.