Anglican Funeral Order of Service in Ghana: Complete Liturgy & Hymns

The Anglican Church, known in Ghana as the Anglican Diocese of Accra (and other diocesan regions under the Church of the Province of West Africa), follows a rich liturgical tradition for funeral services. Anglican funerals are characterised by their structured liturgy, scriptural readings, the Book of Common Prayer, and a deep sense of reverence and order. The service is designed to commend the deceased to God, comfort the bereaved, and proclaim the Christian hope of resurrection.

This guide provides the complete order of service for an Anglican funeral as practised in Ghana, including the distinctive elements of the commendation and committal. Whether you are planning a funeral at the Cathedral Church of the Most Holy Trinity in Accra, St. Andrew's Anglican Church in Sekondi, or any Anglican parish across the country, this programme will help you understand and prepare for every part of the service.

Before the Service: Reception of the Body

In Anglican tradition, the service may begin with the reception of the body at the church entrance. The priest meets the coffin at the church door and leads the procession into the church while reciting the opening sentences from the burial liturgy. The most recognised opening sentences are from John 11:25–26: "I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die." Additional sentences from Job 19:25–27 and 1 Timothy 6:7 may also be used.

Complete Order of Service

• 1. Reception of the Body — The priest meets the coffin at the church door. The opening sentences are read as the coffin is carried into the church and placed before the altar. The congregation stands.
• 2. Processional Hymn — A hymn is sung as the clergy, choir, and family process to their places. Common choices include "The Lord's My Shepherd" (Psalm 23) or "O God, Our Help in Ages Past."
• 3. Opening Prayers and Collect — The priest reads the opening collect for the burial of the dead: "O God, whose mercies cannot be numbered: Accept our prayers on behalf of thy servant departed, and grant him/her an entrance into the land of light and joy, in the fellowship of thy saints; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord. Amen."
• 4. Psalm 23 or Psalm 90 — A psalm is read or sung. Psalm 23 ("The Lord is my shepherd") and Psalm 90 ("Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place") are the most common. Psalm 121 ("I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills") is also popular.
• 5. Old Testament Reading — A reading from the Old Testament, commonly from Ecclesiastes 3:1–8 ("To everything there is a season"), Isaiah 25:6–9, or Lamentations 3:22–26, 31–33.
• 6. Hymn — A congregational hymn between the readings.
• 7. New Testament Reading (Epistle) — A reading from the epistles, commonly 1 Corinthians 15:20–26, 35–38, 42–44, 53–58 (the resurrection chapter), Romans 8:35–39, or 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18.
• 8. Gradual Hymn — A hymn sung before the Gospel reading, during which the congregation stands.
• 9. Gospel Reading — A reading from one of the Gospels, commonly John 14:1–6 ("In my Father's house are many mansions"), John 6:37–40, or John 11:21–27.
• 10. Sermon / Homily — The priest or invited preacher delivers a sermon reflecting on the readings, the life of the deceased, and the Christian hope of eternal life. Anglican sermons at funerals tend to be measured, scriptural, and reflective.
• 11. The Apostles' Creed — The congregation recites the Apostles' Creed together, affirming their faith in the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting.
• 12. Tributes and Biography — Family members, friends, and colleagues may read tributes. In Anglican tradition, tributes are often more restrained than in Pentecostal services, and the number may be limited to maintain the liturgical flow.
• 13. Hymn — Another congregational hymn.
• 14. Prayers of Intercession — The priest leads prayers for the deceased, the bereaved family, and the congregation. These prayers follow set forms from the prayer book but may include specific petitions for the family.
• 15. The Commendation — This is one of the most distinctive and solemn parts of the Anglican funeral. The priest stands near the coffin and commends the deceased to God with these or similar words: "Into thy hands, O merciful Saviour, we commend thy servant [Name]. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech thee, a sheep of thine own fold, a lamb of thine own flock, a sinner of thine own redeeming. Receive him/her into the arms of thy mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen."
• 16. Final Hymn — A closing hymn is sung. "Abide With Me" is the most traditional choice for Anglican funerals.
• 17. Blessing and Dismissal — The priest pronounces the final blessing and dismisses the congregation.
• 18. Recession — The coffin is carried out of the church, followed by the clergy, family, and congregation, while the choir sings the recessional.

The Committal at the Graveside

The committal is the second distinctive Anglican element. At the graveside, the priest reads the committal sentences as earth is cast upon the coffin. The traditional words are among the most recognisable in the English language:

"We therefore commit the body of our brother/sister [Name] to the ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ; who shall change the body of our low estate, that it may be like unto his glorious body, according to the mighty working, whereby he is able to subdue all things to himself."

The committal is followed by additional prayers, the Lord's Prayer (often said by the entire congregation), and a final blessing. Family members may place flowers or earth on the coffin before the grave is filled.

Distinctive Elements of Anglican Funerals

• Liturgical Structure — The service follows a fixed liturgical order rooted in the Book of Common Prayer and its modern revisions. There is little room for improvisation.
• The Commendation — The formal act of entrusting the deceased to God's mercy, performed near the coffin.
• The Committal — The graveside ritual of committing the body to the ground with the words "earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust."
• Reverence and Order — Anglican funerals are characterised by dignity, solemnity, and a measured pace. The atmosphere is respectful rather than exuberant.
• Creedal Recitation — The congregation recites the Apostles' Creed, affirming collective faith in resurrection.
• Scriptural Richness — Multiple scripture readings form the backbone of the service, with passages carefully chosen to speak to death, hope, and eternal life.
• Set Prayers — The prayers follow established forms, giving the service a sense of timelessness and continuity with centuries of Christian worship.

Popular Anglican Funeral Hymns in Ghana

Anglican hymns at funerals are drawn from the rich tradition of English hymnody, supplemented by local Ghanaian compositions. Here are the most popular choices:

• "Abide With Me" (Henry Francis Lyte) — The quintessential funeral hymn, often sung at the close of the service.
• "The Lord's My Shepherd" (Psalm 23, Crimond tune) — A comforting setting of the beloved psalm.
• "O God, Our Help in Ages Past" (Isaac Watts) — A majestic hymn of God's eternal faithfulness.
• "Rock of Ages" (Augustus Toplady) — A hymn of trust in Christ's saving work.
• "Lead, Kindly Light" (John Henry Newman) — A hymn of guidance through darkness and uncertainty.
• "The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, Is Ended" (John Ellerton) — A beautiful hymn of evening and rest, fitting for funerals.
• "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" (Charles Wesley) — A hymn of divine love and the hope of perfection in heaven.
• "Nearer, My God, to Thee" (Sarah Flower Adams) — A hymn of longing for closeness to God.
• "Now the Labourer's Task Is O'er" — A specifically funeral-focused hymn about rest after life's toil.
• "Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah" (William Williams) — A pilgrimage hymn often used at funerals.

A well-designed funeral programme booklet is essential for Anglican services, as congregants need to follow the liturgy, readings, hymns, and responses. FuneralPress allows you to create professional programme booklets that include the full order of service, hymn texts, tributes, and the biography of the deceased.