Attending a Protestant Funeral Service? Here’s What to Expect

While they both belong to the Christian faith, Protestants have different mourning and funeral traditions from Catholics. If you are attending a ceremony organized by cremation services in Westbury, NY, for a Protestant, it generally looks like this:

• It starts with an opening statement

A minister delivers the opening statement, addressed to guests as the official start of the service. It is generally a statement of gratitude on behalf of the family combined with another in support of the bereaved.

An opening statement may also include a prayer.

• Prayers and hymns are read and sung throughout the funeral

After the opening statement comes prayers, scriptures, and hymns. The exact order ultimately depends on the program director, but they occur a few times throughout the funeral.

Guests are encouraged to sing or read along (lyrics are usually included in the program booklet). If the service is in a church building, an usher might give you a hymnal.

Also, a close friend or family member might sing a solo, offer a song or hymn in honor of the deceased.

• Scripture readings occur at various times during the service

Bible reading is a common feature of Protestant ceremonies, and they occur at separate times during a funeral.

Like prayers and hymns, the placement depends on the denomination and program director. Also, in some instances, everyone in attendance reads the verses together.

It could be a familiar passage like the Lord’s Prayer or a less famous text. When it is the latter, the verse might be printed in the program, or a bible is provided.

• A close friend, family member, or pastor delivers a eulogy

In more formal arrangements, the pastor delivers it, talking about the church life of the deceased.

Sometimes, it is both, with family and friends allowed to deliver a different perspective on the individual’s life.

Occasionally, the option is thrown to the audience for anyone to deliver a brief remembrance of the deceased.

• The pastor or professional member of the clergy delivers a funeral sermon

This is the longest part of a Protestant funeral service, delivered exclusively by a member of the clergy.

The type of sermon depends on the traditions of the denomination. Sometimes, it is a message of hope and comfort for the bereaved.

Other times, the minister uses the sermon to remind those in attendance about the brevity of life and the importance of leading a godly life.

Attendees and the surviving family are also encouraged to make peace with God so that they can reunite with their loved ones.

The entire service typically lasts an hour, and most Protestant denominations do not have an order preference. Families can set the order of the program as part of service arrangements with the cremation service.

As a Westbury, NY cremation service, we have a strong relationship with the various Protestant churches in our community. We’ll help you communicate directly with these churches or any other church or minister you select to personalize and design your service. Visit our office or call us today to get started.