An Office of Commendation 

(adapted from Carmina Gadelica) - Replace N with he name of the person you are remembering




This service may be used on hearing the news of a death, or on the

day of the funeral by those not able to be present or on any

suitable occasion.




We shall not all die

But we shall be changed.




The trumpet shall sound and the dead will rise immortal

And we shall be changed.




The perishable must be clothed with the imperishable

and the mortal must be clothed with immortality.




We shall not all die

But we shall be changed.




O God,

who brought us to birth

and in whose arms we die:

in our grief and shock

contain and comfort us,

embrace us with your love,

give us hope in our confusion

and grace to let go into new life;

through Jesus Christ.  Amen




Lord, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.




We commend N. to you, O God,

as s/he journeys beyond our sight.




God of all consolation,

in your unending love and mercy

you turn the darkness of death

into the dawn of new life.

Your Son, by dying for us, conquered death

and by rising again, restored to us eternal life:

may we then go forward eagerly to meet our Redeemer

and, after our life on earth, be reunited with all our brothers and sisters

in that place where every tear is wiped away and all things are made new;

through Jesus Christ our Saviour.  Amen.




Or




Heavenly Father,

into whose hands Jesus Christ

commended his spirit at the last hour:

into those same hands we now commend your servant N.,

that death may be for her/him

the gate to life and to eternal fellowship with you;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.




Lord Jesus, remember us in your kingdom and teach us to pray:




Our Father, who art in heaven . . .




Go forth upon your journey from this world, O Christian soul;

in the name of God the Father who created you.

In the name of Jesus Christ who suffered for you.

In the name of the Holy Spirit who strengthens you.

In communion with all the blessèd saints;

with the angels and archangels and all the heavenly host.

May your portion this day be in peace

and your dwelling in the city of God.

Amen.







N., our companion in faith and brother/sister in Christ,we entrust you to God who created you.

May you return to the Most High who formed youfrom the dust of the earth.

May the angels and the saints come to meet you as you go forth from this life.

May Christ, who was crucified for you, take you into his Kingdom.

May Christ the Good Shepherd give you a place within his flock.

May Christ forgive you your sins and keep you among his people.

May you see your Redeemer face to face and delight in the vision of God for ever.  Amen.




N., may Christ give you rest in the land of the living

and open for you the gates of paradise;

may he receive you as a citizen of the Kingdom,

and grant you forgiveness of your sins:

for you were his friend.




Now to the One who is able to keep us from falling

and set us in the presence of the divine glory,

to the only God our Saviour

be glory and majesty, dominion and praise,

now and for ever.  Amen.