CHAPTER VI

Christians are aware of the inevitability of death. In the presence of death Christians witness to their faith that God, in Jesus Christ, has conquered death and raises His people from death to life eternal.
In order that those who are bereaved may know that they are not called upon to face death in isolation, but are sustained and upheld by the people of God, it is appropriate that a service of worship be held. The service should ordinarily be held in a church and should be conducted by the minister. The casket should remain closed in order that the worship of those present may more naturally be directed to God.
The funeral service should be conducted with dignity and simplicity. It should witness to the resurrection, and to the sure and certain hope that Jesus Christ has gone to prepare a place for God's children. This service should include the reading of appropriate passages from the Holy Scripture and the offering of prayers of thanksgiving, intercession, and supplication. If songs or music are included, care should be taken to assure that they are consistent with the Biblical affirmations of God's power over death. Funeral sermons, remarks, and prayers in the nature of a eulogy of the deceased are discouraged.
The committal of the body to the grave may be done with Scripture and prayer, the service being closed with the benediction. The presence of members and friends of the family of the deceased at this part of the service bears witness, in the face of death, to their belief in the resurrection from the dead.