Order for Burial for Pets  This service is intended as a framework for faithfully marking the death of a pet. Besides these words of comfort, other scripture and poetry may be used, as well as celebrations of the animal in photographs or shared memories. When the service refers to the pet as our “sister or brother,” it is following the model of Francis of Assisi and his Canticle of the Creatures. OPENING SONG For the pets who shared our lives, gave us care and care received, even as we say good-byes let our hearts not be too grieved: God gives love and life and for all, creatures large and creatures small! sung to the tune DIX (“For the Beauty of the Earth”) (text Utphall © 2016)
BIBLE READING A reading that looks beyond death to new life, not for humans alone but for all gathered around the Lamb who was slain, joining in the hymn of all creation! A reading from Revelation (5:11-13). Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels surrounding the throne and the living creatures and the elders; they numbered myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, singing with full voice, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slaughtered to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!" Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, singing, "To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!" [Amen!] Word of God, Word of life. Thanks be to God.
HYMN VERSE O sisters, brothers, take your part and worship God with humble heart: Alleluia! Alleluia! All creatures, bless the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, Three in One: sung to the tune LASST UNS ERFREUEN PRAYER OF COMMENDATION Let us pray. God our Creator, who called us into being and formed us from the dust of the earth, you saw that all you have made is very good and you said that it is not good that we should be alone. We praise and thank you for the pleasures of companionship in creation, for the sisters and brothers around us who make our lives what they are and what they should be. In your compassion, you also declared that not a sparrow falls to the ground apart from you. Trusting this promise, we ask you to keep our sister/brother ___name___, whose body we now lay to rest, in the covenant of your promise. And at the last, O God, raise her/him up to share the endless joy and peace won through the glorious resurrection of Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns in community with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
COMMITTAL In sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ, we commend to almighty God our sister/brother ___name___, and we commit her/his body to the ground (or) the deep (or) the elements (or) its resting place; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust. The Lord bless her/him and keep her/him. The Lord’s face shine on her/him with grace and mercy. The Lord look upon her/him with favor and + give her/him peace. Amen.
PRAYER Let us pray. Merciful God, you heal the broken in heart and bind up the wounds of the afflicted. Strengthen us in our weakness, calm our troubled spirits, and dispel our doubts and fears. In Christ’s rising from the dead, you conquered death and opened the gates to everlasting life. Renew our trust in you that by the power of your love we shall one day be brought together again with our sister/brother ___name___. Grant this, we pray, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer may be prayed.
BLESSING & SENDING Receive God’s blessing:
Let us go in peace. |
 |
|