Anglican funeral as a non-Christian guest

01 What kind of rite this is

An Anglican or Episcopal funeral is celebrated according to the Burial Office of the Book of Common Prayer. The TEC service uses the 1979 BCP; the ACNA service uses the 2019 BCP. The rite may be celebrated with the Holy Eucharist (a Requiem Eucharist) or without; the family or the funeral notice indicates which form a particular funeral takes.

A printed service leaflet is normally provided in most US parishes, with the order of service and the prayer-book texts. Following along is welcome but not required.

02 Attire

Dark formal dress: a dark suit and tie for men; a dark dress or suit for women.

03 At the service

Guests typically arrive 15 minutes before the start. The casket or urn is present at the front of the church. The service follows the BCP Burial Office: opening anthems and prayers, scripture readings, the homily, prayers for the deceased, the Commendation, and (where the rite includes Communion) the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

Standing, sitting, and kneeling along with the congregation is the simplest approach. Guests are not expected to recite the Creed, the Lord's Prayer, or the spoken responses to the priest.

04 Specific moments

Where the rite is a Requiem Eucharist, most TEC and many ACNA parishes practice open communion, inviting all baptized Christians to the altar. Non-Christian guests are not invited to receive. The customary choice is to remain in the pew, or to come forward with arms crossed over the chest for a blessing.

05 After the service

The casket is processed out to the hearse and led to the cemetery. A reception often follows the service at the parish hall or a private location; the guest is normally welcome.