Summary: Format for doing a funeral service. A sample Service Programme is provided together with suggested scripture readings, sayings and the committal at the cemetery or for cremation.

Compiled by: Herman Abrahams (Pastor), Cornerstone Faith Ministries, P.O. Box 740, Westridge 7802, Rep. of South Africa.

E-Mail: Mentorship2003@yahoo.co.uk

Note to the reader:

If you have been blessed with this sermon compilation, I would be honoured to receive an e-mail from you simply stating where in the world you are based; I do not need any other information. However, you are welcome to communicate with me. This is merely so that I can have the pleasure of giving thanks to Almighty God that all over the globe, the ministry which he has entrusted to me, is blessing the body of Christ and helping to extend the Kingdom of God.

Thank you.

Herman Abrahams,

Cape Town, South Africa.

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Order of Funeral Service

Program for the funeral Of LINDA BESTER

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SERVICE LEADER: ......... Andre Fortune..............

1. Reading of Opening Sentences (As we proceed into the church): .....Pastor Herman Abrahams...

2. Welcome, Introduction & Condolences (From the Church, All Our

Leaders, Pastors & Wives.) ……….…. Pastor Herman Abrahams ……….

3. Opening Prayer: ……………….… Andre Fortune ………………………

4. PRAISE & WORSHIP SONGS

5. SCRIPTURE READINGS .

(a) Psalm 23 ………. George Brickles……….

(b) Old Testament, Letter or Gospels ……. Andre Fortune …….…

6. Tribute/Eulogy 1: …………….. MR GREGORY WYNAND …………

7. PRAYERS: ……… George Brickles…………………………………………..

(a) The Lord’s Prayer (Invite congregation to join in)

(b) Prayers of Thanksgiving for the life of Linda Bester

(c) Prayers for the Family and Friends

8. OFFERING - for the Drug Rehabitation Centre in Woodlands – run by Pastor Alfonso Schilder.

9. Hymn / Song (if deemed necessary): ……………………………………………………………

10. SERMON: ……… Pastor Herman Abrahams ……………….

11. Word of thanks: ……… JODY BESTER ……………………………………

12. Committal. If Cremation, this si done whilst still in the church building.

13. Benediction/Closing Prayer: .... Pastor Herman Abrahams ......

14. (…… Andre Fortune …………………………….) – “We ask the pallbearers to please come up and take their places.” )

15. Closing Hymn/Song ( as people leave the church):………………………………….

(Ministers walk in front of the coffin)

SCRIPTURES, SAYINGS & COMMITTAL FOLLOW BELOW.

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FUNERAL SERVICE (Burial of the Dead)

1. OPENING SENTENCES (SCRIPTURE VERSES)

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Invocation: An appropriate selection of the following Scriptures may be read whilst the minister(s) lead the procession into the church..

’Jesus 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"’ John 11:25-26.

"I know that my Redeemer lives and that in the end He will stand upon the earth; and after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God" Job 19:25-26.

"If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord" -Romans 14:8-9.

"You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand"- Psalm 16:11.

"Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning" - Psalm 30:5.

"The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the ever­lasting arms" - Deuteronomy 33:27.

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted" - Matthew 5:4.

’Then I heard a voice from heaven say, ‘Write: “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.”’ Rev 14:13

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble" - Psalm 46:1.

2. PSALM 23

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(A) Psalm 23 - New International Version

Ps 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

Ps 23:2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,

Ps 23:3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Ps 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil,for you are with me; your rod and your staff,they comfort me.

Ps 23:5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Ps 23:6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

(B) Psalm 23 - King James Version

Ps 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Ps 23:2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

Ps 23:3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Ps 23:4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Ps 23:5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Ps 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

3. SCRIPTURE READINGS

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A selection of the following or other suitable scriptures may be read:

A) FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

Isaiah 25:6-9 (He will swallow up death in victory)

Isaiah 61:1-3 (To comfort all that mourn)

Lamentations 3:22-26, 31-33 (The Lord is good unto them that wait for him)

(B) FROM THE GOSPELS

John 14:1-6 (In my Father’s house are many mansions)

John 5:24-27 (He that believeth hath everlasting life)

John 6:37-40 (All that the Father giveth me shall come to me)

John 10:11-16 (I am the good shepherd)

John 11:21-27 (I am the resurrection and the life)

(C) FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

Romans 8:34-39 (Nothing can separate us from the Love of God).

1 Corinthians 15:20-26 (The resurrection of the dead).

1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-44, (The Resurrection Body).

1 Cor. 15:50-58 (The trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised).

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (We will be caught up in the air).

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 (He will come like a thief in the night).

1 John 3:1-2 (We shall be like him)

Revelation 7:9-17 (God shall wipe away all tears)

Rev. 21:2-7 (There shall be no more death, mourning or crying)

Revelation 22:1-5 (There will be no more night)

4. THE LORD’S PRAYER

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Let us join together in saying the Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy Name,

thy kingdom come,

thy will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory

for ever and ever. Amen.

5. AT THE GRAVESIDE

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The minister and undertaker lead the procession from the hearse to the grave.

Hymn: The minister may decide on singing a full hymn or selected verses. .

THE COMMITTAL

In the midst of life we are in death;

of whom may we seek for succor,

but of thee, O Lord.

Who for our sins art justly displeased?

Yet, O Lord God most holy, O Lord most mighty,

O holy and most merciful Savior,

deliver us not into the bitter pains of eternal death.

Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts;

shut not thy merciful ears to our prayer;

but spare us, Lord most holy, O God most mighty,

O holy and merciful Savior,

thou most worthy Judge eternal.

Suffer us not, at our last hour,

through any pains of death, to fall from thee.

OR THIS ...

All that the Father giveth me shall come to me;

and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

He that raised up Jesus from the dead

will also give life to our mortal bodies,

by his Spirit that dwelleth in us.

Wherefore my heart is glad, and my spirit rejoiceth;

my flesh also shall rest in hope.

Thou shalt show me the path of life;

in thy presence is the fullness of joy,

and at thy right hand there is pleasure for evermore.

THEN, WHILE THE EARTH IS CAST UPON THE COFFIN (OR LEAVE THE CHURCH TO BE

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CREMATED), the Minister says these words:

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“Forasmuch as it has pleased our Heavenly Father, of His great Mercy, to take unto Himself our beloved brother / sister “(................................................)”, we therefore commit his/her body to be buried (cremated), earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust, in sure and certain hope of the Resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who shall change our servile body that it may be like unto His glorious Body, according to His mighty working, whereby He is able to subdue all things unto Himself.”

“I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, write, from henceforth blessed are the dead which die in the Lord: even so says the Spirit, for they rest from their labours.” [Rev 14:13].

The following verse may also be quoted:

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Heb 13:20-21 20 May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

6. BENEDICTION (CLOSING PRAYER)

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BY: Herman Abrahams