The Rite of Christian Burial

The Rite of Christian Burial in the Book of Common Prayer opens with these words which remind us of our hope in the Resurrection. As Christians, we not only bury our loved ones but also prepare for our own deaths in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection of our own bodies and an eternal life embraced by our loving Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  

Everything we do, everything we plan, everything we say about how we honor those who have died before us reflects that hope.  

Those who would like to learn more about the Rite of Christian Burial or would like to plan a funeral for themselves or a family member, are invited to explore the pages in this section of the St. Paul’s website. You’ll learn about the Funeral service itself, from the order of the service to how we select music, planning a reception following a funeral, burial in the St. Paul’s Columbarium, and the importance of leaving the Church a final gift.

For centuries, the Church has honored and prayed for the dead through funerals and burials. Christians were noted in the ancient world as a people that showed great care for dead bodies, and that practice continues today in the modern form of the funeral. 

A Funeral is an important celebration of a loved one’s life and an act of faith that death is not merely an ending, but a doorway that leads to larger life. The Priest stands ready to help families plan for the funerals of loved ones and to provide support in a time of loss.