Matt Talbot Retreat Movement, Inc.
Funeral Service for Deceased Members

Fellow members: The Messenger of Death has again knocked at the door of our Movement and one of our members has been called away to give an accounting of his/her stewardship, a beloved companion has been summoned; hence the circle of friendship has been broken, nevermore on earth to be renewed. No more shall we look to those eyes which have smiled upon us in friendly greeting, nor feel the warm clasp of our brother's/sister's hand. He/She has passed away, and it is with sorrowful hearts we contemplate the brevity of human life and yet in our sorrow, we are comforted by the thought that he/she has passed away from the toil and heat of the day, the burdens and sorrows of his/her earthly career, for him/her, all these are over. He/She has gone to his/her rest, sweet rest, in that calm haven where all is rest and peace and where the storms and trials of life no more molest.

Life is but a span and when it is over, it is a tale that is told. Let us then be up and doing while the full tide of life flows in our veins, let us so live that our lives may be a constant example to all around us and thus fill the measure of our day. with usefulness and pure motives and prepare ourselves against that day, when we too shall be as our beloved brother/sister who has gone on that journey, from whence no traveler returns.

To his/her relatives and friends we bid them to look to Him, Who is the Supreme Ruler of the universe, in Whom we live and move and have our being, to Him, Who tempers the wind to the shorn lamb. He, Who is the steadfast Friend of caring humanity, Who in the greatness of His love looks down upon us all with pity and sympathy and although the trials of the present hour are such as to cause us pain and anguish of spirit yet He will comfort the troubled heart, then let us turn to Him in our affliction fully confident that He will hear our prayers and grant us the blessings we so much need.

ROLL CALL

Call four of the members present and have them answer "here" by medallion No.

Call the deceased by name and number— twice.  Have a member present answer:— "Here in body, gone in Spirit"—after second call.

LET US PRAY: 0 God. we come to Thee humbly beseeching Thy blessing upon all assembled here. Let this lesson of the brevity and uncertainty of life teach us so to walk, while we are still numbered with the living, that our lives should be an honor to Thee and a cherished memory to our friends  when we, too, have gone from this material world to the glorious home above, where Thou dost forever reign in glory. To Thee we commend the relatives and friends bereaved; be Thou their guide and comfort and bless them and lead them in the paths of peace, until they too, shall have crossed the narrow river of death, to meet as a united band around Thy throne in Heaven.

As you pass judgment, we ask You to balance our accounts and be merciful in Thy award.

To you now dear brother/sister we bid you a last earthly farewell and ask that our patron Matt Talbot intercede in your behalf.

"All present recite the the Lord's Prayer."

Our Father, who are 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, Forever; Amen.

Eternal rest grant unto him/ her 0 Lord; And let perpetual light shine upon him/her.

May his/her soul and all the souls of the faithful departed through the mercy of God, rest in peace, Amen.