Last Anointing / Funeral Service

Death brings the end of earthly life to every human being. It separates the visible body from the invisible mental-spiritual being. Whereas, for the physical-material part the processes
of decomposition start, that which was the expression of the personality, what thought, felt, wanted in him/her, lives on. This is imperishable and belongs to the eternal world, out of which every human being was born. The posthumous paths lead into this world.

A person who feels death close, for example during an illness, can prepare for this transition by receiving the last rights (last anointing). Whenever possible this is accompanied by a com- munion and the Sacrament of Consultation. They can streng- then the will working in destiny and give strength and trust for the necessary steps.

After death has occurred, the soul-spiritual experiences the review of the past life on earth.

For about three days he lives in them, and often during this time the countenance changes and reflects some of this process.

It is beneficial for the deceased and the loved ones left behind if there can be a wake, ideally in the room where death tookplace. At the end of this time the first part of the funeral service, the Departing Blessing takes place; again ideally in the house where death occurred.

At the cemetery or in the crematorium, the second part of the Funeral Service is held before the body is interred or cremated.

With their loving thoughts, relatives, friends and the people present help to send the soul of the deceased over into the life of the spiritual world.

On a following Saturday an Act of Consecration for the Dead can be celebrated within the congregational service, which includes a special prayer for the deceased.

This opens a gate for the further path of the soul, and the ac- companiment of the Christ as the guide of the dead.

For children before the age of 14 the funeral service is a diffe- rent one than the one for adults.