Holy Trinity-Port Neches: Funeral Booklet

Holy Trinity Episcopal Church

Port Neches, Texas

Holy Trinity
Funeral Booklet

This guide will help explain the customs of the Episcopal Church and should assist you in planning the funeral. At times like this it is hard to
make decisions. Bereavement is an overwhelming experience. Holy Trinity Episcopal Church is a very sensitive and loving church. Experience
this love in your time of need.

The Book of Common Prayer states:

“The liturgy for the dead is an Easter liturgy. It finds all its meaning in the resurrection. Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we, too, shall
be raised. The liturgy, therefore, is characterized by joy, in the certainty that “neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things
present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of
God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

This joy, however, does not make human grief unchristian. The very love we have for each other in Christ brings deep sorrow when we are
parted by death. Jesus himself wept at the grave of his friend. So, while we rejoice that one we love has entered into the nearer presence of
our Lord, we sorrow in sympathy with those who mourn.

“The death of a member of the Church should be reported as soon as possible to, and arrangements for the funeral should be made in
consultation with, the Minister of the Congregation. Baptized Christians are properly buried from the church. The service should be held at a
time when the congregation has opportunity to be present. The coffin is to be closed before the service, and it remains closed thereafter. It is
appropriate that it be covered with a pall or other suitable covering. If necessary, or if desired, all or part of the service of Committal may be
said in the church. If preferred, the Committal service may take place before the service in the church. It may also be used prior to cremation.
“A priest normally presides at the service. It is appropriate that the bishop, when present, preside at the Eucharist and pronounce the
Commendation. It is desirable that the Lesson from the Old Testament, and the Epistle, be read by lay persons. When the services of a priest
cannot be obtained, a deacon or lay reader may preside at the service.

“At the burial of a child, the passages from Lamentations, 1 John, and John 6, together with Psalm 23, are recommended. It is customary that
the celebrant meet the body and go before it into the church or towards the grave.
“The anthems at the beginning of the service are sung or said as the body is borne into the church, or during the entrance of the ministers, or
by the celebrant standing in the accustomed place.”

THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER, 1979

STEP ONE: The first step is to notify the church at 409-722-6238, or The Reverend Cliff Rucker, Rector at 409-722-1410.

STEP TWO: The next step is to choose a funeral home and a place of final interment. It is important to have the list of days and times
that Holy Trinity Church and the clergy are available before meeting with the funeral home.

By custom, most funerals are held at 11:00 A.M. or 1:00 PM Monday-Friday. The exact time will be coordinated with the funeral home

and the

parish’s schedules. Other times can be accommodated, though Sunday funerals are not normally permitted.

The Rector will be happy to accompany you to the funeral home as you make arrangements.

THE FUNERAL

IN GENERAL:

CHURCH SERVICES:

All funerals properly begin in the Church or at Graveside.

FUNERAL HOME CHAPEL:

As a general rule in the Episcopal Church, the Burial Rites of the Church are properly administered at the Church or Graveside. Under

very special circumstances, a service at a Funeral Home Chapel will be considered with approval of the Rector.

THE SERVICE:

The Burial Office is found in the Book of Common Prayer (B.C.P.). You may choose one of several services.

A. 1928 Book of Common Prayer -- following the Rubrics exactly.

B. Rite One is found on page 469 and is the more traditional service.

C. Rite Two is foun

d on page 491 and is the modern language version.

D. An Order for Burial is found on page 506.

Any unusual funeral arrangements or requests cannot be met unless the funeral has

been pre-arranged prior to death

VISITATION:

Normally the clergy meets with the family 15 minutes prior to public visitation at the funeral home for prayers. Please let the clergy know

the time of visitation.

The Book of Common Prayer recommends that a Vigil (Prayers) may be held the night before (

though this

isn’t a requirement).

Normally this is held in the chapel of the funeral home and lasts 10 minutes. Sometimes the Vigil is said with family members

present only. Immediately following the Vigil visitation begins. This is an option at the sole discretion of the family. If there are friends

and family members who want to talk about the loved one or to say a eulogy, this is best accomplished during the visitation/vigil.

THE RECEIVING:

The body (or cremains) is received by the clergy when the funeral home arrives at the church on the day of the funeral or about 30

minutes before the funeral service.

THE CLERGY & SERMON:

The Rector normally officiates. The Rector is in charge of all funerals, although he may invite others to assist. Assisting or guest

ministers should be invited only by the Rector and not by the family. The family should consult with the Rector prior to inviting any clergy.

The Rector normally preaches at all funerals. Since the Burial service is an Easter worship service, it is the custom in the Episcopal

Church not to have eulogies or testimonies during the service. These are more appropriate at the Vigil the night before the service.

THE PALL:

The casket or cremation urn will be covered with a pall or cloth during the service. The American flag can substitute as a pall for an

active or retired service person. The flag ceremony is appropriate at the cemetery for all veterans.

THE FLOWERS:

The church is decorated simply and the family normally provides the altar flowers. Please call the office at 722-6238 to arrange for the

florist. A spray is not needed nor are extra flowers near the casket permitted. Flowers and sprays are most appropriate at the graveside

if so desired.

ARRIVAL:

The family should arrive ten minutes before the service and will gather in the Narthex (church entrance hall) for prayers just prior to the

funeral service. The family will then be seated in the front pews just prior to the funeral procession. There is always a short homily at

each service done by the Rector or his appointee.

MUSIC FOR THE SERVICE:

If there is to be music, you may ask our organist to select appropriate hymns or you may choose your hymns from the Episcopal

Hymnal. Only sacred music is permitted. The choir is not normally a part of the burial service at Holy Trinity. If you would like, the Rector

and organist can choose music for you.

THE HOLY Eucharist:

A communion service (The Lord’s Supper) is a common part of a funeral in the Episcopal Church, though not required. One need not

worry about visitors who are not Episcopalians. This sacrament of the Church is open to all baptized Christians and it is the professed

faith of the deceased that is honored one last time. The worship bulletin for the funeral service will be easy to follow and make all

guests welcome. It will also explain the communion service and invite everyone to participate, or not, as the individual desires. The

presiding priest will explain this all our guests and invite and welcome them to God’s altar.

THE OBITUARY:

The newspaper obituary is an emotional experience. It is best prepared with several members of the family present. It is customary to

include all the clergy’s names. This sentence should help: “The funeral will be held at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 2425 Nall Street

(TX 365), Port Neches, Texas, with The Reverend Cliff Rucker officiating (and The Reverend XYZ assisting).” Terms used by the

Episcopal Church include funeral service when the body or cremains (inurnment) are present and memorial service when there is no

body present.

MEMORIALS:

All memorials given to Holy Trinity in honor and memory of the deceased will go into the Holy Trinity Memorial Fund which is used for

the purchase of memorials (combining memorials given to various people), upkeep of memorials, and the purchase of memorial

needs. Other Parish Funds are available in lieu of the Memorial Fund:

1. The Holy Trinity Memorial Fund

. The Holy Trinity Foundation (Endowment Fund).

3. The Youth Fund

4. The Rector’s Discretionary Fund

5. Holy Trinity Building Fund

6. Altar Guild Memorials

It is also best to include notice of memorials in the obituary. If you wish Holy Trinity Episcopal Church to be one of the recipients,

please include this sentence: “Memorials may be sent to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church Memorial Fund (or Endowment Fund or etc...),”

FEES FOR CHURCH :

Holy Trinity Episcopal Church does not charge any fee for the use of the church facilities.

FEES FOR RECTOR:

The Rector of Holy Trinity does not charge any fee for the celebration of any of the Sacraments of the Christian faith. Any voluntary

contributions you may wish to make for clergy time and effort will be put in the discretionary fund and used by the clergy for special

needs in the parish and community. If you make such a gift, please do not give cash and make your check payable to:

Rector’s

Special Discretionary Fund.

FEES FOR ASSISTING CLERGY:

If you should ask the Rector’s permission for another priest to assist in the funeral, it is appropriate to give the assisting clergy a love

offering for time and travel.

FEE FOR ORGANIST AND MUSICIANS :

The musicians who play or sing at funerals give of their time and re-arrange other activities to assist in funerals. They support

themselves by their musical talents. The fees for musicians is as follows:

Organist…..................……….. $125

Musicians/vocalists ……….. $125

FRATERNAL RITES:

Only the Book of Common Prayer or the appropriate funeral for the Armed Services is to be used. Fraternal rites are best reserved after

the burial or the night before and in no case are permitted during the service.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF THE RECTOR IS NOT AVAILABLE:

In the event that the Rector is unavailable please know that your pastoral needs will be met. In the Rector’s absence another Episcopal

clergy will preside. You will not have to worry about this detail as the office staff and the Senior Warden will make the necessary

arrangements.

THE READINGS : The family will need to choose scripture readings and the hymns (if music is desired). At the request of the family,
the Rector will be happy to choose appropriate scripture and hymns for the service.

Scripture Readings: Old Testament - Please choose one

Isaiah 25:6-9 [He will swallow up death forever]

On this mountain the LORD of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines, of rich food filled with

marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear. And he will destroy on this mountain the shroud that is cast over all peoples, the sheet

that is spread over all nations; he will swallow up death forever. Then the Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from all faces, and

the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the LORD has spoken. It will be said on that day, Lo, this is our

God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us. This is the LORD for whom we have waited; let us be glad and rejoice in his

salvation.

2. Isaiah 61:1-3 [To comfort those who mourn]

The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed,

to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s

favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to provide for those who mourn in Zion—to give them a

garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called

oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, to display his glory.

3. Lamentations 3:22-26, 31-33 [The Lord is good to those who wait for him]

The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new

every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him.” The LORD is good

to those who wait for him, to the soul that seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. For the

Lord will not reject forever. Although he causes grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love;

for he does not willingly afflict or grieve anyone.

4. Wisdom 3:1-5, 9 [The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God]

The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment will ever touch them. In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to

have died, and their departure was thought to be a disaster, and their going from us to be their destruction; but they are at peace.

For though in the sight of others they were punished, their hope is full of immortality. Having been disciplined a little, they will

receive great good, because God tested them and found them worthy of himself; those who trust in him will understand truth, and

the faithful will abide with him in love, because grace and mercy are upon his holy ones, and he watches over his elect.

5. Job 19:21-27a [I know that my Redeemer lives]

Job answered, “Have pity on me, have pity on me, O you my friends, for the hand of God has touched me! Why do you, like God,

pursue me, never satisfied with my flesh? O that my words were written down! O that they were inscribed in a book! O that with

an iron pen and with lead they were engraved on a rock forever! For I know that my Redeemer lives, and that at the last he will

stand upon the earth; and after my skin has been thus destroyed, then in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see on my side,

and my eyes shall behold, and not another.”

Scripture Readings: New Testament Epistle Readings - Please choose one

1. Romans 8:14-19, 34-35, 37-39 [The glory that shall be revealed]

All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have

received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children

of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be

glorified with him. I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to

us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who

died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of

Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? No, in all these things we are more

than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things

present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from

the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2. 1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 35-38, 42-44, 53-58 [The imperishable body]

Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have died. For since death came through a human being, the

resurrection of the dead has also come through a human being; for as all die in Adam, so all will be made alive in Christ. But each

in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Then comes the end, when he hands over

the kingdom to God the Father, after he has destroyed every ruler and every authority and

power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. But someone will

ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?” Fool! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies.

And as for what you sow, you do not sow the body that is to be, but a bare seed, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain.

But God gives it a body as he has chosen, and to each kind of seed its own body. So it is with the resurrection of the dead. What is

sown is perishable, what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in

power. It is sown a physical body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body. For this

perishable body must put on imperishability, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When this perishable body puts on

imperishability, and this mortal body puts on immortality, then the saying that is written will be fulfilled: “Death has been

swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the

power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved, be

steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the work of

the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

3. 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:9 [Things that are unseen are eternal]

We do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight

momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen

but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal. For we know that if the earthly

tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we

groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling—if indeed, when we have taken it off we will not be found naked. For while

we are still in this tent, we groan under our burden, because we wish not to be unclothed but to be further clothed, so that what is

mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

So we are always confident; even though we know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord—for we walk

by faith, not by sight. Yes, we do have confidence, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So

whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.

4. 1 John 3:1-2 [We shall be like him]

See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world

does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What

we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is.

5. Revelation 7:9-17 [God will wipe away every tear]

After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and

languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a

loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!” And all the angels stood around

the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God,

singing, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever!

Amen.” Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from?” I said to

him, “Sir, you are the one that knows.” Then he said to me, “These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have

washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. For this reason they are before the throne of God, and worship

him day and night within his temple, and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them. They will hunger no more, and

thirst no more; the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat; for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd,

and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

6. Revelation 21:2-7 [Behold, I make all things new]

And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them as their God;

they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more;

mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.” And the one who was seated on the throne

said, “See, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Then he said to me,

“It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the

water of life. Those who conquer will inherit these things, and I will be their God and they will be my children.”

Scripture Readings: Gospels - Please choose one

1. John 5:24-27 [He who believes has everlasting life]

Jesus said, “Very truly, I tell you, anyone who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and does not come

under judgment, but has passed from death to life. Very truly, I tell you, the hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will

hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For just as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son

also to have life in himself; and he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man.”

2. John 6:37-40 [All that the Father gives me will come to me]

Jesus said, “Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and anyone who comes to me I will never drive away; for I have

come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I

should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. This is indeed the will of my Father, that all who see

the Son and believe in him may have eternal life; and I will raise them up on the last

day

.”

3. John 10:11-16 [I am the good shepherd]

Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd

and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and

scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my

own

and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep

that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.”

4. John 11:21-27 [I am the resurrection and the life]

Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you

whatever you ask of him.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in

the resurrection on the last day.” Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they

die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe

this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.”

5. John 14:1-6 [In my Father’s house are many rooms]

Jesus said to his disciples, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are

many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place

for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place

where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to

him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

A Suitable Psalm or Canticle(or two) may be selected, but are NOT required. The following Psalms are appropriate: 23; 27; 42:1-7, 46, 90:
1-12, 121, 130, 139:1-11.

A Guide to an Episcopal Funeral
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church
Port Neches, Texas

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Home Christianity Episcopalians Our Parish Service Schedule Maps & Directions Calendar Ministry Schedule Web Links

Holy Trinity Episcopal Church

2425 Nall St., Port Neches, TX 77651

voice 409.722.6238

fax 409.722.2441

worship@holytrinityportneches.org
HTEC-PN - 2007

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