Reading: Christian Committal Service

If there is a committal service, here are some sample committal services:

Christian Committal Service

Opening Words: As we gather together in the presence of the Divine, we unite from various walks of faith to bid farewell to our beloved [Name]. In this moment of parting, let us find solace in our shared hope in the resurrection, and in the promise of eternal life that transcends all our differences.

Reading of Scripture: From the Gospel of John: "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."

Moment of Silence and Reflection: "Let us now take a moment of silence to reflect on the life of [Name], to cherish the memories we hold dear, and to acknowledge our shared grief and hope."

Prayer of Commendation: "Into Your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend Your servant [Name]. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech You, a sheep of Your own fold, a lamb of Your own flock, a sinner of Your own redeeming. Receive [Name] into the arms of Your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen."

Committal: "We now commit the body of our dear [Name] to its final resting place — earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust — in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life. May this act of parting, grounded in our faith and hope, remind us of the cycle of life and death, and the new life that lies beyond."

Words of Farewell: "May the peace that comes from the memories of love shared comfort you now and in the days ahead. Though we may walk paths that take us in different directions, let the love and the faith that we share bring us back together in spirit."

Closing Blessing: "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. And may the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Recitation of the Apostles' Creed:

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. 

I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, 

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, 

suffered under Pontius Pilate, 

was crucified, died, and was buried; He descended to the dead. 

On the third day He rose again; He ascended into heaven, 

is seated at the right hand of the Father, 

and will come again to judge the living and the dead. 

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy worldwide Church, 

the communion of saints, 

the forgiveness of sins, 

the resurrection of the body, 

and the life everlasting. Amen."

Protestant Tradition Committal Service

Opening Words: "Dear friends and family, we gather here in the sight of God and in the presence of these witnesses, to commit the body of our beloved [Name] to the ground: earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust. In this solemn moment, let us find comfort in the promise of Jesus Christ, who said, 'I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.'"

Prayer: "Gracious God, we thank You for the life of [Name], for the love and mercy they received from You, and showed among us. As we entrust [Name] into Your loving arms, comfort us in our loss, strengthen us with Your presence, and fill us with the hope of Your eternal life. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

Benediction: "May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Amen."

2. Catholic Tradition Committal Service

Opening Words: "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Our brother/sister [Name] has gone to his/her rest in the peace of Christ. May the Lord now welcome him/her to the table of God's children in heaven. With faith and hope in eternal life, let us assist him/her with our prayers."

Scripture Reading: A reading from the Gospel according to John: "I am the resurrection and the life, says the Lord; whoever believes in me, even if he dies, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die."

Prayer of Commendation: "Into your hands, Father of mercies, we commend our brother/sister [Name] in the sure and certain hope that, together with all who have died in Christ, he/she will rise with him on the last day."

Blessing: "May the peace of God, which is beyond all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God and of his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen."

3. Anglican Tradition Committal Service

Opening Words: "We have entrusted our brother/sister [Name] to God's mercy, and we now commit his/her body to the ground: earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust. In the sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Collect: "O God, whose mercies cannot be numbered: Accept our prayers on behalf of thy servant [Name], and grant him/her an entrance into the land of light and joy, in the fellowship of thy saints; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen."

Blessing: "The God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in his sight; through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen."

4. Pentecostal Tradition Committal Service

Opening Words: "In the presence of God and surrounded by the love of family and friends, we come to commit the body of our beloved [Name] to its final resting place. As [Name] has departed from this life, we take comfort in the assurance of the resurrection power of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which we too are raised to new life."

Prayer: "Heavenly Father, we thank You for the life of [Name], for every memory shared, for the good they have done, and for the love they demonstrated. We release [Name] into Your loving arms, confident in the promise that those who believe in You will find eternal life. Pour out Your Holy Spirit to comfort us, guide us, and fill us with the hope of Your everlasting peace."

Benediction: "May the God of all comfort be with you, filling your hearts with peace and joy, knowing that death is swallowed up in victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen."

5. Baptist Tradition Committal Service

Opening Words: "We are gathered here, not only to mourn the loss of [Name] but to commend him/her to our Heavenly Father's care. As we lay [Name]'s earthly vessel to rest, let us remember the blessed hope we have through Jesus Christ, our Savior, who has promised eternal life to all who believe in Him."

Scripture Reading: A selection from 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, "Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him."

Prayer: "Lord, we thank You for [Name]'s life and all the moments we shared. As we commit [Name] to the ground, let our spirits be comforted by the knowledge that [Name] is now with You. Help us to live in such a way that our lives honor their memory and reflect Your love and grace."

Benediction: "May the love of God, the peace of Jesus Christ, and the comfort of the Holy Spirit be with you all, now and forevermore. Amen."

6. Presbyterian/Reformed Tradition Committal Service

Opening Words: "In humble submission to God's sovereign will, and with reverence for His divine grace, we gather to commit the body of our beloved [Name] to its resting place, in the blessed hope of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which promises eternal life to all who trust in Him."

Prayer of Committal: "Almighty God, in Your hands we commend the spirit of [Name], certain of Your salvation and confident in the resurrection to come. As we commit [Name]'s body to the earth, let our hearts be drawn to You, knowing that [Name] is at peace in Your eternal presence."

Benediction: "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all, guiding and comforting you, now and forever. Amen."