Protestant Funerals

What does it mean to be protestant?

Member or follower of any of the western christian churches that are separate from the roman catholic church. They follow the principles of the reformation including the baptist, presbyterian and lutheran churches

What do protestants broady believe?

-The scripture alone speaks authoritatively
-God’s unmerited/undeserved grace alone has the power to draw people to him
-Man is justified by faith alone, not by any works of his own
-Salvation is accomplished by christ alone, not anything else
-God alone should be given all the glory

What is the first priority?

worship service. Often referred to as HIGH CHURCH due to the high ritualistic behavior

What is the focus in a funeral ceremony?

Worship of god. Not a time for looking at a dead body

Do the clergy need to be notified for a protetant funeral?

-No requirements on notification on time of death
-Up to preference of minister

How should the remains be prepared?

No mandates, but they are to be dressed and casketed

How is disposition carried out?

There are no restrictions, any are permitted

For episcopalians, traditions of faith are set forth in…

the book of common prayer

What do people often call episcopalians?

Anglicans

What roots do Episcopalians have in catholicism?

-Hold on to all the ancient sacraments, creeds and order of the catholic church
-Each diocese consists of a group of parishes presided over by a bishop, who is elected by a diocese/synod

What is the main fundamental difference between the episocpalian chruch and catholicism?

Episcopalians reject the idea that the pope has authority over the church

Are guests expected to participate in an episcopalian funeral?

-Yes, unless they hold contradictory beliefs
-Only baptized christians may receive communion

The clergy referred to as priest is addressed as…(episcopalian)

Father or reverend

How is a episcopalian funeral service held?

-Typically held in the church with altar flowers
-Formal processional
-Pall is used to cover the casket (closed casket)
-Celebration of the holy eucharist may be observed prior to the funeral service
-Focus of service is beginning a new life reunited with god

While episcopalians accept interment, entomment and cremation, they generally prefer that a body be…

embalmed

How is the episcopalian committal service held?

-Prayer
-Scripture reading
-Priest may use holy water, sand, dirt or flower petals to make the sign of the cross on the closed casket

What are key differences between the episcopalian and catholic church?

-Confession is encouraged but not mandatory
-Divorce is permitted but permission to remarry is needed by the bishop upon recommendation by a priest
-Priests can be either gender and can be married

Who brought the lutheran faith to north america?

Germans and Scandinavians

What are the main divisions between lutherans today?

those who are theologically liberal or conservative

What are synods?

the three major groups of the lutheran church. The primary differennces between them are those of observable rites and ceremonies. FD’s need to be familiar with these as they will differ according to membership.

What is the evangelical lutheran church in america? (ELCA)

-Largest and most liberal on social issues
-Permits ordination of female clergy, other two do not
-Casket is placed at right angle to the altar (catholic)
-Cremation on the rise

What is the lutheran church, missouri Synod? (LCMS)

-Anti catholic
-Casket placed parallel to altar
-Cremation is not widely practiced

What is the winsconsin evangelical lutheran synod? (WELS)

-Most conservative
-No chaplain containing organizational membership (false religion)
-Only pray with other WELS members (unionism)
-Anti catholic
-Casket is placed parallel to altar

What are the general guides for the Lutheran funeral right?

-Death is not the end of life but the beginning og new life
-Clergy addressed as pastor (sometimes reverend)
-Removal, preparation, dressing and casketing left up to the family
-Funeral service is typically held in the church
-Lutheran book of worship or the lutheran hymnal is used
-Flowers are permitted in the church depending on clergy

What is included in a lutheran funeral service?

-Processional
-use of acolytes
-Cross
-Candles
-Pall (closed casket)(may have viewing in narthex prior)
-Incense
-Position casket either parallel or at right angle to the altar according to synod
-Communion may be observed
-Service typically 30-60 depending on communion

What is the committal service for a lutheran funeral?

-Prayers
-Scripture reading
-Pastor may use holy water, flower petals, or earth to make sign of cross

Are lutheranism and episcopalianism liturgical or non liturgical?

Liturgical

How are non liturgical services held?

-No specific way- its all up to the church.
-No rubric so no specified order of service
-No religious paraphernalia needed
-Service can take place outside the church
-Open or closed casket
EX: opening prayer, song, obituary/eulogy, song, message, benediction

What are mennonites?

-Amish sort of
-Nearly 20 groups of them
-The term is derived from the 16th century dutch anabaptist leader Menno Simons
-Always have been obejctors to war and violence, including issues of abortion and capital punishment
-Emigrated to north america from switzerland, holland and germany
-Practice theology of relief and material aid to people in need

What do anabaptists mandate?

Baptism should occur after reaching the age of accountability, which is generally early adolescence

How did the Amish come to be?

A disagreement among dutch mennonites by jacob amman who urged simplicity and uniformity- didn’t want them to partake in certain things due to concern that they take Amish too far from their own community. Named themselves amish in his honor

What are the funeral rites for a mennonite/amish funeral?

-REgard death as part of god’s plan
-Pastor (mennonite) or bishop/elder (amish) presides
-Open casket depends on denomination
-Various treatments of the bible and hymnals are used for the service
-Removal and preparation is family choice

What are the most widely known bodies of the mennonite and amish churches?

-Mennonite church
-Old order amish

What are the old order amish known for?

-Extreme conservative views
-Separation of church and state
-Refusal to take oaths
-Refusal to take up arms

What is dressing and casketing like for the mennonite and amish?

-May be dressed in white undergarments and stockings according to groups structure
-Casket/vault may be hand by family
-Cemetery requirements regarding outer burial containers may differ than other areas of the country

What is the visitation like for the mennonites and amish?

-Visitation may be held one or two days
-Typically held at the residence
-Procession formed from the home to the church
-Old order amish will use horse drawn wagons with procession of buggies as transportation to church and cemetery

What is the funeral service like for mennonites/amish?

-Held in church or residence
-Seating may be designated
-Men on one side, ladies and children on the other

What is the committal service like for mennonites/amish?

-Pastor recites sermon and scriptures
-Casket may be placed in an outer enclosure
-Mercy meal served following the service

What happens before a traditional african american funeral service?

-The clergy will be notified and confirm service details along with the church (local customs will dictate service and protocol)
-For the removal, they provide sensitivity, professional dress and conduct demonstrated. Patience for family members and goodbye.

What is the preparation, dressing and casketing like for a traditional african american funeral service?

-May be delayed, preparation should be thorough
-Clothing is up to the family
-Casket is a family choice
-Viewing, if possible, based on religious preferences

What are some pre service considerations for a traditional african american funeral service?

-Previewing may be one or two days prior to service with immediate family members
-Referred to often as a family hour, a quiet or sitting
-Coordination of all vendors is a must

What is the funeral service (AKA homegoing) of a traditional afrcian american funeral service?

-May be lengthy, emotional and contain serious religious overtones
-Obituary/program: very elaborate booklet of deceased
-May be held in the evening so work does not interfere with attendance
-Most likely held in the church
-Conducted with the formality of morning worship service
-May close casket in front of congregation and family just prior to service beginningf

What is the committal service like for a traditional african american funeral service?

-Time to visit and reflect
-Closure
-Plan to spend time, can be lengthy service
-Ask if the family wants to see the casket lowered
-Funeral director announces family instructions if a repast (luncheon or reception) is to occur.