When someone close to us dies, whether at the end of a long illness or without warning, we are deeply affected. Often we are in pain and have searching questions about the meaning of life, about death, and about our faith. At this time the Anglican Church offers support in your bereavement and a hope which points beyond death to resurrection and a new life.

A funeral service is a rite offered by the Church to:

• Mark the passing of those who have died
• To give thanks for their life
• To comfort those who morn.

The Anglican Church of Canada offers two forms of services.

The Book of Common Prayer
The official prayer book of the Church offers a traditional service which expresses the confidence and hope of our faith in the Risen Christ.

The Book of Alternative Services
This is a more contemporary service which provides more opportunity for involvement by family and friends of the deceased.

Both books assume the presence of the body, and the Priest needs to be consulted if it is the wish of the family to exclude the body from the public service. If the case of cremation of the body, the family may request a memorial service without the presence of the body. However, the purpose
of the rites and customs of a funeral service is to help mourners face death and move through grief to healing. The presence of the body or the ashes confirms the reality of death.