Christian Funeral Order of Service

You have been asked to help plan a Christian funeral and you need to know what actually happens, in what order, and how long each part takes. The structure varies by denomination, but the underlying architecture is remarkably consistent across Baptist, evangelical, and mainstream Protestant churches.

Here is the standard order most evangelical services follow, typically lasting 45 to 90 minutes.

The Standard Six-Part Structure

1. Processional and Gathering (5–10 minutes)

The service begins when the pastor walks ahead of the casket — four to five paces in front — as it is wheeled or carried into the sanctuary. In Lutheran (ELCA) churches, a cross and Bible lead the processional, and a white funeral pall is laid over the casket. In Baptist and non-denominational settings, the processional is simpler: the clergy enter first, the casket follows, then the immediate family is seated in reserved front-row pews.

Organ or piano music plays during the processional. The congregation stands as the casket enters and remains standing for the opening prayer.

2. Opening Worship (5–10 minutes)

A congregational hymn sets the tone. Common choices include "How Great Thou Art," "Amazing Grace," or "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God." The pastor then offers an opening prayer of comfort and reads a brief welcome.

3. Scripture Readings (10–15 minutes)

Three to four passages are read, typically drawn from the Old Testament, Psalms, Epistles, and Gospels. Families work with the pastor to select passages that reflect the deceased's faith. The most commonly chosen readings include:

• Psalm 23 — "The Lord is my shepherd"
• John 14:1–6 — "In my Father's house are many rooms"
• Romans 8:31–39 — "Nothing can separate us from the love of God"
• 1 Corinthians 15:53–58 — "Death is swallowed up in victory"

Family members or deacons often read one or two of these passages. The pastor reads the Gospel text.

4. Remembrances and Tributes (10–15 minutes)

Most churches allow two to four speakers, each limited to two or three minutes. These are pre-written tributes — not open-mic eulogies. The pastor typically reviews and approves remarks in advance.

In some Baptist churches, a formal obituary is read aloud by a deacon or family member during this section. In African American Homegoing services, the Church Clerk reads official church "Resolutions" — a formal expression of sympathy archived in the church record.

5. Sermon and Response (15–25 minutes)

The sermon is the theological center of an evangelical funeral. Rather than a secular eulogy, the pastor preaches a gospel message that connects the deceased's earthly faith to the promise of resurrection. In Southern Baptist and Pentecostal congregations, the sermon often concludes with an altar call — an invitation for attendees who have not accepted Christ to make a public decision of faith.

The altar call is always coordinated with the family beforehand. It should never come as a surprise.

6. Closing and Recessional (5–10 minutes)

The congregation recites the Lord's Prayer in unison. In Lutheran churches, the Apostles' Creed may be recited and Holy Communion offered if the family requested it. A closing hymn plays as the casket is wheeled out of the sanctuary, followed by the family, then the congregation.

After the Sanctuary: Graveside Committal

The procession moves to the cemetery for a brief committal service — usually 10 to 15 minutes. The pastor reads a committal scripture ("Ashes to ashes, dust to dust"), offers a final prayer, and pronounces a benediction. If the veteran's family requested military honors, those follow the religious committal.

How to Customize Without Crossing Boundaries

The pastor holds authority over what happens inside the sanctuary. Before your planning meeting, know that most evangelical churches prohibit pre-recorded secular music, limit the number and length of speakers, and require advance approval for video tributes. Churches like New Mickle Baptist Church require slideshows submitted in DVD or PowerPoint format at least 24 hours before the service, capped at five minutes.

The easiest way to personalize the service without friction: choose scripture passages that were meaningful to the deceased, select hymns from the church's approved list, and keep tributes short and written.

Our Evangelical Funeral Guide includes a complete service-planning worksheet with fill-in fields for each section of the order, plus denomination-specific variations for ELCA Lutheran, Baptist, Pentecostal, and Homegoing traditions.