Anglican church followers are around 1.9 million in the USA and are also known as an Episcopal church. Their funeral tradition and practices are rooted around the belief that when a person dies, the Holy Spirit leaves his body and returns to God while the mortal remains have to be returned to Earth. Funeral for them is meant to be the time to share the grief with family and friends and celebrate the life of the deceased person. If you have to attend a funeral of someone who was a member of this church, here are the things you need to know.
First, an Anglican church funeral takes place either in a funeral home Kendall or in a church. Mostly, the clergy presides over the funeral. It takes place about two to three days after the death. The clergy is immediately contacted and many times, he directs the family of the deceased person regarding the funeral. Anglican priests are very involved in their community and work closely together with the local funeral home services to help his parishioners.
Viewing is not mandatory and is up to the family members whether they want to have one. Many times, the deceased person leaves behind his direction regarding his funeral and his family members follow it. As for when to hold the funeral, any day is good except Sundays or any special Holy Days. The funeral service is always performed with a closed casket. As for the service, the vicar will talk with the family members regarding what hymns to play, music and reading, if the deceased person has not left instructions regarding it. Non-religious poems and songs are also allowed, and family members usually give out a eulogy.
The funeral consists of prayers, sermon, and singing of hymns. Reading from the Book of Common Prayer is also included. The service starts with the priest inviting mourners for Holy Communion, which sipping of wine and taking a piece of bread, symbolizing the body and blood of Christ. The casket remains closed during the service; if there is no casket, there will be a casket with a picture of the deceased person.
Burial follows a funeral service though cremation is also allowed. If the body is being buried or entombed in a mausoleum, a priest holds a burial site service. The priest will recite the relevant prayers and rites after which the body is buried or entombed. If there was a cremation, the ashes are then entombed or buried as per the instruction of the family members of the deceased person.
Once the burial is over, mourner gathers at the wake which can be held in the funeral home in Kendall, church, or in the home of the deceased person. There is no mourning period or memorial events in an Anglican church.
As for proper attire to attend an Anglican church funeral, black or dark-colored clothes are the appropriate choices. During the funeral service, when the Holy Communion is going on, one has to respectfully be seated if they are not participating in this ritual. Non-Anglican church members can participate if they wish, but it is not compulsory.
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