The Church Manual (Church of the Brethren)/Chapter 17
CHAPTER XVII.
BURIAL SERVICE.
Outside of the regular funeral or preaching services, we know of no accepted form for the burial of our dead. Therefore the services held at the grave differ in different localities, in accordance with the forms learned by those who officiate. Hence, we have no form, that has received the general sanction of the church, to give, but for the accommodation of those who wish something as a guide on these solemn occasions, we offer the following as suggestions:
Our funeral services are conducted about the same as the general public preaching services, except that the subject used should be somewhat in harmony with the occasion, and part of the discourse should be directed to the family of the deceased and the immediate friends.
Services at the Grave. — After the body has been placed in the grave, and before filling, an appropriate Scripture may be read. We suggest the following:
"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 the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also 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 grave, 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, 1 Cor. 15: 41-58.
When convenient and practicable, a suitable hymn may be sung while the grave is being filled.
After the grave has been filled, or at the time of the dismission from the grave, the minister will say:
"Forasmuch as it has pleased Almighty God in his wise providence to remove from us the soul of the departed, we therefore commit—body to the ground, earth to earth, and dust to dust, looking for the general resurrection in the last day, and the life of the world to come, through our Lord Jesus Christ, at whose second coming in glorious majesty to judge the world, the earth and the sea shall give up their dead, and the corruptible bodies of those who sleep in them shall be changed and made like unto his own glorious body, according to the mighty working whereby he is able to subdue all things to himself."
Following this, a short prayer may be offered, and then dismiss the congregation.