The Committal of Ashes
After a cremation, the family may wish to mark the reverent disposal of the ashes in a dignified way. It can be a significant moment in a time of bereavement, a final letting-go of the one who has died. It is therefore an act which is rightly accompanied by the prayers of the Church. This service provides a means of doing this.
When all are gathered together, the minister shall say one or more of the
following sentences.
Jesus said,
‘I am the resurrection and the life;
even in death,
anyone who believes in me, will live.’
John 11:25
‘Set your troubled hearts at rest.
Trust in God always,
trust also in me.
There are many dwelling places in my Father’s house;
if it were not so, I should have told you;
for I am going there on purpose
to prepare a place for you.
And if I go to prepare a place for you,
I shall come again and receive you to myself,
so that where I am, you may be also.’
John 14:1–3
Saint Paul said, ‘I am convinced
that there is nothing in death or life,
in the realm of spirits or superhuman powers,
in the world as it is
or the world as it shall be,
in the forces of the universe,
in the heights or depths –
nothing in all creation
that can separate us from the love of God
in Christ Jesus, our Lord.’
Romans 8:38, 39
The following may be said
God our Father
we thank you for N,
the years we shared with her/him,
the good we saw in her/him,
the love we received from her/him.
We thank you that s/he is in your care
and trust in your promise of eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer is said in one of the following forms, or in the form on page 863.
With faith and hope we pray
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever. Amen.
I runga i te whakapono me te tūmanako ka īnoi tātou
E tō mātou Matua i te rangi
Kia tapu tōu Ingoa.
Kia tae mai tōu rangatiratanga.
Kia meatia tāu e pai ai
ki runga ki te whenua,
kia rite anō ki tō te rangi.
Hōmai ki a mātou āianei
he taro mā mātou mō tēnei rā.
Murua ō mātou hara,
Me mātou hoki e muru nei
i ō te hunga e hara ana ki a mātou.
Āua hoki mātou e kawea kia whakawaia;
Engari whakaorangia mātou i te kino:
Nōu hoki te rangatiratanga, te kaha,
me te korōria,
Āke ake ake. Āmine.
The Committal of Ashes
The minister prays
We thank you, loving Creator,
that we have been able to entrust N
into your keeping.
Through Christ’s victory we have hope in life eternal.
So now, we commit the ashes of her/his mortal body
to the ground / to their final resting place.
Amen.
For a committal at sea the minister says
to their resting-place in the deep.
The ashes are placed in their resting place.
The Prayers
The minister says one or both of the following and/or other appropriate prayers.
Father,
accept our praise and thanksgiving
for the lives of all your faithful people
who have served you on earth and are now at rest.
Grant that we too may dedicate ourselves to your service,
following their good examples,
and share with them your heavenly kingdom;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Merciful Father,
to all who mourn, grant faith and courage
to meet the days to come with steadfastness and patience,
not sorrowing as those without hope,
but in thankful remembrance of your goodness in the past,
and in the sure expectation
of sharing in the resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
A priest says
The peace of God which passes all understanding
keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus;
and the blessing of God Almighty,
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
be with you now and for ever.
Amen.
Or
The minister and people say together
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit
be with us all. Amen.