Pentecostal Funeral Order of Service: Complete Program Guide

The Standard Order

Pentecostal and evangelical homegoing services follow a structured sequence. While individual congregations adapt the details, the overall architecture is remarkably consistent across denominations:

1. Prelude Soft instrumental music or quiet worship songs played by the church musicians as guests are seated. This is not background music — it sets the devotional atmosphere.

2. Processional and Parting View The officiating clergy lead the pallbearers and immediate family into the sanctuary. If the casket is open, the family takes their final view at this point. The congregation sings a designated hymn during the processional.

3. The Gathering — Opening Scripture Sentences The officiant reads declarative scripture passages from the pulpit. Common choices: John 11:25-26, John 14:1-3, Job 19:25. These set the theological tone for the entire service.

4. Prayer of Invocation and Thanksgiving A designated minister or elder prays for comfort, invites the presence of the Holy Spirit, and gives thanks for the life and spiritual legacy of the deceased.

5. Old Testament Scripture Reading Read by a deacon or church elder. Common selections: Psalm 23, Job 19:21-27a, Isaiah 25:6-9.

6. New Testament Scripture Reading Read by a family member, friend, or church officer. Common selections: Romans 8:38-39, 1 Corinthians 15:51-58, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

7. Reading of Sympathies, Resolutions, and Condolences The church clerk reads official resolutions from the church body plus two to four selected condolence cards.

8. Personal Tributes / The Earthly Journey Three to four pre-selected speakers share brief reflections on the deceased's life, faith, and character. Each speaker is limited to two to three minutes. Open-mic remarks from the floor are prohibited.

9. Music of Preparation A solo, choir selection, or small ensemble piece immediately before the sermon. This transitions the congregation from personal remembrance to the proclamation of the Word.

10. The Sermon / Proclamation of the Gospel The senior pastor or approved ministerial designee delivers the message. The sermon focuses on the redemptive work of Christ, the promise of resurrection, and the urgency of salvation for the living. An altar call may follow.

11. Prayer of Consolation The officiant commends the grieving family to God's grace, peace, and strength.

12. Recessional Clergy lead the family and pallbearers out of the sanctuary as the congregation sings a triumphant hymn. The casket follows.

Total service time: approximately 60 minutes. The main homegoing service is capped at one hour.

Pre-Service: The Family Hour

Most churches offer a "family hour" or public visitation in the sanctuary 60 minutes before the funeral service. This period is led by an associate minister and may include organisational ceremonies, fraternal rites, or open-floor tributes from community organisations.

The family hour must conclude at least 15 minutes before the main service begins, at which point the casket is permanently closed for the processional.

Creating the Printed Program

The funeral program is a folded booklet given to every attendee. It serves as both a guide to the service and a memorial keepsake. A standard program includes:

Front cover: Name and photograph of the deceased, dates of birth and death, location and date of the service.

Inside left: The obituary — a narrative account of the deceased's life, family, faith, and accomplishments.

Inside right: The order of service as listed above, with specific names for each role (who is reading scripture, who is singing, who is delivering tributes).

Back cover: Acknowledgements from the family, the names of pallbearers and honorary pallbearers, and information about the repast.

Important: The complete program draft — including the obituary text, photographs, and the order of service — must be submitted to the church administrative staff for pastoral approval before it goes to print. The pastor reviews every element. Do not print programmes without this sign-off.

Timing and Scheduling Rules

Church policies impose specific constraints:

• No funerals on Sundays. Sunday is reserved for regular corporate worship. Services must be scheduled Monday through Saturday.
• Start windows. Many congregations restrict start times — for example, no earlier than 10:00am and no later than 1:00pm.
• Duration cap. The main service is capped at 60 minutes to maintain focus and prevent scheduling conflicts.
• Coordination with the funeral home. The funeral director's transport and staffing timeline must align exactly with the church's approved schedule. Confirm both independently.

Adapting the Format

Not every funeral follows the full sanctuary format:

• Brief hospital or hospice prayer. When a long service is not possible, the pastor conducts a private committal or prayer of release directly in the patient's room.
• Crematorium chapel service. A 30-minute memorial focusing on prayers of commendation, without the processional or recessional.
• Dual-location diaspora services. When a body is being repatriated, the family holds a full homegoing service locally, seals the casket for transport, and a secondary graveside committal takes place in the ancestral homeland.

The Evangelical / Pentecostal Funeral Guide includes editable program templates, timing worksheets, and a pre-print approval checklist to streamline the coordination between your family, the church office, and the printer.