MINISTRY WITH THE DYING

When death is near, the pastor should be notified so that the ministry of the Church may be extended.

Holy Communion may be administered, using A Service of Word and Table V or adapting A Service of Word and Table IV.

The Baptismal Covenant may be reaffirmed, using portions of The Baptismal Covenant I as may be appropriate.

The pastor, joined by others as they are able, may pray the Lord's Prayer or Psalm 23.

See also resources for Ministry with Persons with Life–threatening Illness.

The pastor may pray one or more of the following prayers:

Lord Jesus Christ, deliver your child Name from all evil
and set him/her free from every bond;
that he/she may rest with all your saints
in the joy of your eternal home, for ever and ever. Amen.

When a life–support system is withdrawn:

O God, you are the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.
You breathed into us the breath of life,
and watched over us all our days.
Now, in time of death, we return Name to you,
trusting in your steadfast love,
through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

A commendation at the time of death, the pastor laying his/her hand on the head of the dying person:

Depart in peace, brother/sister Name;
in the name of God the Father who created you;
in the name of Christ who redeemed you;
in the name of the Holy Spirit who sanctifies you.
May you rest in peace, and dwell for ever with the Lord.

Download the Word Document of this file

Copyright: “Ministry with the Dying” Prayers 1 and 3 alt. from The Book of Common Prayer (The Episcopal Church, 1979). Public domain. Prayer 2 Copyright © 1992 UMPH.