The Burial of a Child

The Service may begin with a Hymn, after which the Minister shall say,

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Then the Minister shall read the following Sentences of Scripture:

He shall feed his flock like a shepherd, he shall gather the lambs in his arms, and carry them in his bosom. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Lessons

Then the following Lessons shall be read:

Mark 10:13-16

And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them; and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

Matthew 18:1-5, 10, 14

At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

Sermon

Here a Sermon or an Address may be delivered.

Prayer

Then the following Prayers shall be offered:

Let us pray.

O Heavenly Father, whose face the angels of the little ones do always behold in heaven; grant us steadily to believe that this child hath been taken into the safe keeping of thine eternal love; through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

O God, whose ways are hidden and whose works most wonderful, who makest nothing in vain, and lovest all that thou hast made; comfort thou thy servants whose hearts are sore smitten and oppressed; and grant that they may so love and serve thee in this life, that together with this child, they may obtain the fullness of thy promises in the world to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Then all shall say,

Our Father, who art 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 debts, As we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation. But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Benediction

The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Amen.