June 2007

 

“I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord;”

The Book of Common Prayer, page 469

I recently received a telephone call from the nephew of a woman who had recently died. His aunt was an Episcopalian, but due to her health she had not attended any of our area churches. The telephone call took me to one of our older funeral homes for a Memorial service. Hundreds of services by ministers of many denominations had been conducted in this funeral home for close to a hundred years. The building was arranged for another era including doors that were made for a horse and funeral carriage and not today's funeral coaches.

That evening I sat down and read the latest National Geographic magazine that had an article about Arlington Cemetery and the changes at the cemetery, especially in section 60 - the section that is being used for those killed in Iraq or Afghanistan . Despite the strict Federal regulations, many of the changing practices we witness in our secular cemeteries, including notes, stuffed toys, or various kinds of ornaments are left at graves.

As we celebrated Memorial Day I was reminded that at least one of the “first” Memorial Days was at Arlington Cemetery in 1868. The graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers were decorated with flowers. All the soldiers were remembered with equal dignity.

In my experience many people today really don't know how to remember someone close to them who has died and are uncomfortable attending funerals. They are pleasantly surprised when they attend an Episcopal service and comment over and over how uplifting our worship is on such occasions. They frequently speak to me about the dignity of our music and liturgy. It is not unusual for someone to ask me for a copy of our order of worship for their own personal use.

As unusual as it may seem, I do recommend that this summer you slowly and meditatively read through the Burial Offices in the Book of Common Prayer. I've never found it a morbid exercise but one of assurance and peace. I have always experienced a renewed hope. I think you will be amazed at how pleasant an experience it will be.

In Christ,

Fr. Ken †