St. John's Toorak has been the venue for many services celebrating the lives of all manner of people over a great many years. The staff at St. John's are well used to preparing and leading services of this nature, and are always willing to accommodate the particular needs and wishes of the families concerned.

Whilst there is considerable flexibility, it should be noted and understood that St. John's Toorak is an Anglican Church and that an Anglican Church can only be used for the purposes of Anglican services of worship, with an Anglican priest presiding. This means that it is not possible for St. John's Church to be "hired out" or "used" for other purposes. Whilst Ministers and Pastors etc. from churches other than the Anglican Church cannot preside at or lead a funeral inside St. John's , they may be invited to participate. Under no circumstances, however, may a civil celebrant lead or preside at any part of a funeral service in St. John's .

The notes below proceed in the usual order of each element of the funeral service, as determined by A Prayer Book for Australia 1995. References are made throughout to further resources that may be provided by the parish to assist those preparing the service. All funerals at St. John's follow the format described below, although there is considerbale flexibility within this.

A template of the Funeral Service outline is available for download in MS Word format at the bottom of this page. 

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1. THE WELCOME & GATHERING

The priest who will lead the service greets the congregation and gives a general welcome. If desired, family members may participate in the placing of Christian symbols on the coffin at the beginning of the service. The welcome includes the formal greeting, sentence, and an opening prayer usually said by the congregation together, as well as further words appropriate to the occasion.

Formal greeting
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

Sentence
"I am the resurrection and the life,’ says the Lord. ‘Those who believe in me, even though they die, yet will they live.’ (John 11.25).

Prayer said together

Loving God, you alone are the source of life. May your life-giving Spirit flow through us, and fill us with compassion, one for another. In our sorrow give us the calm of your peace. Kindle our hope, and let our grief give way to joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

(HYMN)

There may be a hymn at this point.

NOTE: Music is typically used at a funeral service in the places indicated by (HYMN). Music at the funeral is provided by a professional organist, who will play before the service as the congregation arrive and at the conclusion as the coffin is carried out of the church, and at other points as determined by the family in consultation with the clergy.

Follow this link to see and download a list of suggested hymns.

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2. THE PSALM

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3. THE EULOGIES & READINGS

One or more members of the family or friends may speak about the person who has died.

Alternatively, a written eulogy may be prepared and read on behalf of the family by the cleric who will lead the service.

Family members and / or friends may also read poems, passages, or offer short reflections on the life of the deceased, after the formal eulogies. Such readings will normally occur here and not at the point of the Bible Reading/s later in the service. Follow this link to see a selection of non-biblical readings for the funeral service.  

NOTE: The eulogy or eulogies are often the main area of deliberation, discussion, and planning for those arranging the funeral. It is worth bearing in mind that long experience conducting funeral services suggests that many an otherwise excellent and memorable funeral has been adversely effected by overly long or poorly delivered eulogies. For this reason, it is important to take careful note of the following and to plan the eulogies well. The eulogy (from two Greek words meaning literally 'good words') might be described as a personal reminiscence of the deceased or a personal tribute to the life of the deceased. There are no ‘rules’ or ‘formula’ as to how a eulogy ought to be delivered or by whom. Frequently the details of the life of the deceased are ‘rehearsed’ (i.e. birthplace and date, education, working life, family life, achievements). Anecdotes or stories are sometimes told. Memorable characteristics, personal traits, or significant events in the life of the deceased are often recounted. Some people use humour, but others prefer not to.

Special qualities, values, or beliefs etc. about the deceased are often made clear; this is most effective when it arises out of a direct personal relationship and experience.

It is strongly recommended that those planning the funeral observe the following.

a). There should be at least one, but no more than three, eulogies. Where no member of the family feels able to speak, the eulogy may be written out in full by the family and read on their behalf by the clergy.

b). The time allocated to the eulogies should not exceed a maximum of twenty minutes. Where two or more people are to speak, the time limit should be observed so that the combined length of all the eulogies does not exceed twenty minutes. 

c). Those giving eulogies should write out what they will say in full. This helps the speaker on the day and also enables the speaker to time their eulogy and, where notes may be compared with other speakers (if applicable), prevents duplication.

d). If there is more than one eulogy they should be complimentary (i.e. one from the family, one from a friend, one from a work colleague etc.), and not rehearse or go over the same things.

e). Choose people who will be comfortable and competent speaking in public.

f). Double check that those who are to speak will not exceed a total of twenty minutes.

Some families ask if there can be an ‘open floor’ giving any person present an opportunity to speak about the deceased. Experience strongly suggests that very few people will take up such an offer during the course of the service. The sharing of further stories and memories etc. will usually, and more appropriately, take place informally over refreshments afterwards. 

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4. REFLECTION or HYMN

There may be a hymn or music at this point to enable the congregation to further reflect on the eulogies and to give all present some time and space to remember the deceased before the service progresses. This is optional and need not occur, depending on the wishes of the family. The parish supplied organist can play a voluntary (a piece of music selected by the organist), the congregation may sing a hymn, or the family may select a recorded song or piece of music that was especially relevant to the deceased to be played at this point.

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5. THE BIBLE READING/S 

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6. THE PRAYERS

The prayers are usually said by the clergy on behalf of all. The Prayers take the form of

1. Thanksgiving – for the gift of life, especially for the deceased.

2. Intercession – for those who mourn, especially the family members and friends.

3. Concluding with the Lord’s Prayer – said by all together.

The versicle and response normally used is:
Lord, in your mercy,
to which the response is Hear our prayer.

The Lord’s Prayer (traditional)

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

(HOLY COMMUNION)

Some families ask that the funeral service in a Church include Holy Communion. It is most appropriate that a funeral service in a Church include Holy Communion, especially if the deceased was a regular churchgoer. Experience shows that many of the congregation present at a funeral will not be regular churchgoers or may come from denominations with different practices to that of the Anglican Church. Because Holy Communion is new to them, or different, they will generally not come forward when the invitation is given to do so. Those organising the funeral can help by notifying their families and friends that Holy Communion will be celebrated at the service and by encouraging them to receive Communion on the day of the funeral, especially if this is the expressed wish of the deceased. Anyone who is baptised in any Christian Church may receive Holy Communion in the Anglican Church. Children should also be brought forward with their parents and / or relatives. The service will be lengthened by between fifteen and thirty minutes, depending on the number of communicants.

(HYMN / MUSIC)

There may be a hymn at this point of the service.

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7. THE FAREWELL

A prayer of farewell, entrusting the deceased to God, is said by the clergy. This prayer may be followed by a prayer of commendation said by all. Notices about what will happen next may follow as appropriate – e.g. “We will proceed in cortege to ….., “Refreshments will be served afterwards at ….

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8. THE COMMITTAL

The committal is always part of the Christian funeral service and is said by the cleric leading the service , facing the coffin, with the congregation standing.

The committal takes place either –

1. In the Church, at this point of the service

2. After the Church service at the graveside

3. After the Church service at the Crematorium    

The Prayer of Committal 

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, you have given us a sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life. In your keeping are all who have departed in Christ. We here commit the body of our dear brother/sister N to be cremated / to the deep / to be buried in the ground, earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, who died, and was buried, and rose again for us, and who shall change our mortal body that it may be like his glorious body. Thanks be to God who gives us victory Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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9. THE BLESSING

A prayer asking for God’s blessing on all present is said by the Minister. The service now concludes.

(LEAVING THE CHURCH) 
Music is played as the congregation leave the Church, following the coffin.

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APPENDIX

SOME OPTIONS AND FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

(i) Printed Order of Service

Many families prepare a printed booklet for the funeral service, often incorporating a photograph of the deceased. St. John’s does not have facilities for producing colour copying nor for scanning and preparing photographs. Those desiring to produce a personalised order of service should ask their funeral director to arrange for this or engage the services of a private printing firm. The clergy arranging the funeral will, however, be able to supply the words of the prayers and hymns etc. to be used, usually by e mail, to assist families in preparing the order of service. It is always best to have the clergy check a draft, before printing or finalising the service booklet. Things to include are – any prayers the congregation are to say together (i.e. the Lord’s Prayer); any hymns to be sung by the congregation; and any helpful instructions (i.e. the location of refreshments afterwards). St. John’s does have multiple copies of the funeral service in booklet form, containing the usual structure of the service as outlined above together with the congregational prayers.   

(ii) Before the Service Begins

The funeral director will normally arrive thirty to sixty minutes prior to the service to prepare. There is no need for family members to arrive early, seats will be reserved for the immediate family at the front of the Church. Some families request that there be a viewing of the deceased in the Church prior to the commencement of the service. Whilst this is usually best done at the Funeral Directors facilities, if circumstances are such that it is requested to take place in the Church, this can be arranged with the clergy and Funeral Director. Generally, the viewing will take place in the Angel Chapel and will be scheduled to conclude well before the commencement of the service.

(iii) Audio-Visual Displays

It is increasingly common for there to be requests for an audio-visual display of the deceased’s life to be part of a funeral service. St. John's is not designed in a manner that permits this, with a large vaulted nave and several stone pillars, making the placement of a screen that could be viewed by all very difficult. It is best that such a display be part of the after service wake and refreshments.  

(iv) Poems and Readings from sources other than the Bible

A funeral service in a church always includes at least one reading from the Bible. Apart from this, readings and poems from other sources may also be included. This must be discussed with the clergy. Some readings and poems fit best in the ‘Readings’ section, others may fit best at the point of the ‘Prayers’. A family member or friend may read.

(v) RSL Rites

Where the deceased served in the armed forces, the RSL rites may be included at any appropriate point in the service. Usually, a member of the RSL will lead this part of the service prior to the committal. If the service is a burial or cremation, the RSL rites will take place at the cemetery or crematorium. The church has no objection to national flags adorning the coffin and considers this entirely appropriate for a person who served their country in the armed forces.  

(vi) Masonic rites

Where the deceased was a Freemason, the Masonic rites may occur, if this is the request of those arranging the service. The Masonic rites take place at the graveside or crematorium. Where the committal is to take place inside the Church and as part of the Church service, the Masonic rites will occur during the service at an appropriate point. This must be discussed with the clergy.     

(vii) Fees and Charges

The Funeral Director includes in the total cost of the funeral service all of the Church related fees and provides payment to the parish on the day. The funeral fees at St. John’s are all inclusive and provide for the celebrant, the verger (who sets up and cleans up afterwards), the organist who will play, and flowers inside the church (but not those on the casket). 

(viii) After the Service

Families may hire the recently renovated and well appointed Buxton Hall, adjacent to the Church, for refreshments after the service. Full details of the cost of hiring the hall and / or the provision of catering may be obtained from the parish office.

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