Order of Service for the Committal of Ashes to the Sea

Let us pray Order of Service for the Committal of Ashes to the Sea Heavenly Father as we remember with thanksgiving those whom we Normal Routine love but see no longer, be with us in our sorrow, comfort us with your The “STILL” is piped. Spirit and strengthen us with your love. And as we entrust these ashes to the keeping of this church, assure us that the souls of your faithful In the name of the Father, + the Son and the Holy Spirit. Grace, mercy and servants are in the tranquillity and peace of your eternal presence. peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.

The ashes are carried into the Vestry On this sad, but proud day, we gather to honour the memories of those, who in this life, served our country on land and sea and in death are mourned by their Neither death nor love can separate us from the love of God in Jesus loved ones. We thank God for each life and in this farewell we pray that they Christ our Lord. Grant to us, Lord God, to trust you not for ourselves may be at peace with God. Though we are dust and ashes, God has prepared alone, but also for those whom we love and are hidden from us by the for those who love him a heavenly dwelling place. At their funerals, N,N & N shadow of death; that, as we believe your power to have raised our Lord were commended into the hands of almighty God. As we prepare to commit their remains to the sea, we entrust ourselves and all who love God to his Jesus Christ for the dead, so may we trust your love to give eternal life loving care. to all who believe in him; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. The eternal God is our refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms. Deut 33.27 Almighty God, father of all mercies and giver of all comfort, deal graciously with those who mourn that, casting every care on you they A reading from Psalm 107 may know the consolation of your love. Amen. Those who go down to the sea in ships and ply their trade in great waters, these have seen the works of the Lord and his wonders in the deep. For at his word Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; the stormy wind arose and lifted up the waves of the sea. They were carried up thy kingdom come; thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. to the heavens and down again to the deep; their soul melted away in their Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, peril. They reeled and staggered like a drunkard and were at their wits’ end. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their as we forgive those who trespass against us. distress. He made the storm be still and the waves of the sea were calmed. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. Then were they glad because they were at rest, and he brought them to the For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, haven they desired. for ever and ever. Amen. Prayers of Committal The God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that God our creator and redeemer, by your power Christ conquered death and great shepherd of the sheep, make you perfect in every good work to do entered into glory. Confident of his victory , N,N & N were entrusted to your his will; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, + the Son, and mercy. As we commit the ashes of those who have served their country on the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen. land and at sea [and in the Royal Navy/Corps] grant them peace and tranquility in the light of your eternal presence. Amen. Individual Committals of ashes An Order for the entrusting of Ashes to St Ann’s We have entrusted N… to God’s merciful keeping and now commit + (Foul weather Routine) his/her ashes to the deep. Brief Introduction I know that it’s a great disappointment that we’re unable to commit the The casket is now committed to the sea. ashes of your loved ones to the sea today – I’m sure you’ll appreciate that the weather is not conducive to a dignified committal which we would all Grant N a place of rest and peace where the world of hardship, illness want. Some of you have travelled quite long distances to be here and you and death has no dominion. have prepared yourselves for what is an emotional event in the final act of committal – only to find that it’s unsafe to proceed and we can’t do it. But Concluding Payers what we will do is entrust the ashes to the care of this church until such God our Father, in loving care your hand has created us, and as the time as we can arrange another suitable date – Lisa will be in touch with potter fashions the clay you have formed us in your image. Through the you soon to find out your wishes. In the meantime, let us remember that we Holy Spirit you have breathed into us the gift of life. In the sharing of are in the presence of God, and bring our disappointment, our love and our love you have enriched our knowledge of you and of one another. We sorrow before him. claim your love today, as we entrust these ashes to the deep in sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Psalm 121 Lord. Amen. 1. I lift up my eyes to the hills; • Eternal Father, strong to save, O Trinity of love and power, from where is my help to come? Whose arm hath bound the restless our brethren shield in danger’s hour; 2. My help comes from the Lord, • wave, from rock and tempest, fire and foe, the maker of heaven and earth. Who bidds’t the mighty ocean deep protect them whereso’er they go: Its own appointed limits keep; and evermore shall rise to thee 3. He will not suffer your foot to stumble; • O hear us when we cry to thee Glad hymns of praise from land and sea. he who watches over you will not sleep. For those in peril on the sea. 4. Behold, he who keeps watch over Israel • Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; shall neither slumber nor sleep. thy will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily 5. The Lord himself watches over you; • bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass the Lord is your shade at your right hand, against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, 6. So that the sun shall not strike you by day, • for ever and ever. Amen. neither the moon by night. 7. The Lord shall keep you from all evil; • May God give you his comfort and his peace, his light and his joy, in it is he who shall keep your soul. this world and the next; and the blessing of God almighty, + the Father, 8. The Lord shall keep watch over your going out and your coming the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and those whom you love, in, • this day and for evermore. Amen. from this time forth for evermore. The “CARRY ON” is piped.