The order of service for a Church of England funeral

The Gathering

1. Music as the coffin is carried inThe coffin may be received at the door by the minister, and sentences of Scripture may be said.
2. Welcome and introductionThe minister welcomes the people and introduces the service.
3. HymnHymns may be sung at any suitable point in the service.
4. Opening prayerThe Collect may be said here or in the prayers.
5. TributeBest in this earlier part of the service, after the opening prayer, though it may be woven into the sermon or come just before the commendation. It may be given by a family member, a friend or the minister.

Readings and sermon

1. ReadingOne or more readings from the Bible; there must always be one.
2. PsalmA psalm should normally be used; it may be a metrical or hymn version.
3. SermonA sermon is preached; a Creed or Affirmation of Faith may follow.

Prayers

1. PrayersUsually thanksgiving for the life of the person who has died, prayer for those who mourn, and prayer for readiness to live in the light of eternity.
2. The Lord’s PrayerSaid in the prayers, or in the dismissal if not used earlier.

Commendation and farewell

1. Commendation and farewellThe minister stands by the coffin and commends the person to God; others may be invited to gather round it, and silence is kept.

The committal

1. CommittalThe body is committed to its resting place: at a burial, at the crematorium, or at the interment of ashes.

The dismissal

1. Dismissal and blessingMay include the Nunc Dimittis and other prayers, and may end with a blessing.
2. Music as mourners leave

Worth knowing before you print

• Psalms and readings “should normally be drawn from” the Church’s funeral list, a psalm should normally be used, and there must always be one reading from the Bible. (source)
• Music during the service can include hymns and also “songs or pieces of non-church music”. (source)
• The Church’s step-by-step page advises checking how much time is available, especially at a crematorium, before choosing the music and readings. (source)
• Poems the Church itself prints on that page include “Remember” by Christina Rossetti and “Crossing the Bar” by Tennyson. (source)
• Common Worship text may be reproduced in a local order of service without a fee if it is not sold, the church’s name and the date are on the cover, and the copyright acknowledgement is printed. (source)

What to put in the booklet

• Print the words of the hymns in full, so everyone can sing without a hymn book.
• If the committal is at the crematorium or graveside after the church, add it to the running order with its place, so guests know where to go.
• Check the timing with the minister before adding extra music or tributes, especially for a crematorium slot.

Sources

• Church of England, Common Worship: funeral (outline order and notes)
• Church of England, Funeral service step by step
• Church of England, A brief guide to liturgical copyright (2018)

Checked on September 28, 2026.