St. Martin in the Fields Episcopal Church
Service at the
Loss of a Beloved Pet
This service is properly performed by the family and loved ones of the beloved pets.
Clergy are not required for this service.
This service provides an opportunity for families to engage their
youngest members in establishing family traditions and rituals around
remembering those who have died. The youngest who can read are
certainly qualified to lead the service.
All respond with the bolded parts
Canticle 12
A Song of Creation
Let the earth glorify the Lord,
sing praise and give honor for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O mountains and hills, and all that grows upon the earth,
sing praise and give honor for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O springs of water, seas, and streams,
O whales and all that move in the waters.
All birds of the air, glorify the Lord,
sing praise and give honor for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O beasts of the wild,
and all you, cats and dogs, flocks and herds.
Bright burning sun with golden beams,
Pale silver moon that gently gleams!
O praise Him! O praise Him!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Let all things their Creator bless,
And worship Him in humbleness,
O praise Him! Alleluia!
Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son,
And praise the Spirit, Three in One!
O praise Him! O praise Him!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
O men and women everywhere, glorify the Lord,
sing praise and give honor for ever.
Closing Prayer
God of creation, through your great mercy you renew us: send us now back to
the love and labor of this day with joy and compassion in our hearts; through
Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was
in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Leader:
People:
Leader:
God be with you.
People:
And also with you.
Leader:
Let us pray:
God of grace and glory, we remember before you today N.’s beloved
companion, A. We thank you for giving her to us to be a source of abundant
love, affection and joy. In your compassion, comfort us who grieve. Give us
faith to commit this beloved creature of your own making to your care, for
you live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.
A Reading from the book of Job
All life is interwoven.
All life is a gift from God.
Loving God, you brought this beloved animal into the life of N. [and N.] to
share kindness, joy, and faithful companionship: Receive our thanks and praise
for the community between your animals and your people, and all the ways in
which we bless each other’s lives; in your goodness,
Blessed Creator, hear our prayer.
Gracious God, you have given us the blessing and responsibility of caring for
animals: if in any way we have failed in that responsibility, we ask for your
pardon and trust in your mercy; in your goodness;
Blessed Creator, hear our prayer.
These biddings may be used when appropriate:
Dear God, the source of all life, wisdom, and love, bring your peace to N.,
into whose hands was placed the decision to end A.’s suffering. Give her
comfort in the knowledge of a loving decision well made; in your goodness,
Blessed Creator, Hear our prayer.
Holy God, we pray for N., for the loss of her companion, and for all pets and
animal companions. Help us to care for their needs, to tend their injuries, to
heal their illnesses, and to relieve their suffering. Give us wisdom to care for
all the creatures of the earth and to respect their place in your Creation; in
your goodness…
Blessed Creator, hear our prayer.
"But ask the animals what they think—let them teach you; let the birds tell you
what's going on. Put your ear to the earth—learn the basics. Listen—the fish
in the ocean will tell you their stories. Isn't it clear that they all know and agree
that God is sovereign, that he holds all things in his hand - Every living soul,
yes, every breathing creature.”
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The Holy Gospel of our Lord, Jesus Christ According to Matthew
Glory to you Lord Christ
At that time Jesus said, ‘I thank* you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and
have revealed them to infants; 26yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.*
27All things have been handed over to me by my Father; and no one knows the
Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and
anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28‘Come to me, all you that
are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29Take my
yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and
you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
We return A.’s remains to the earth with gratitude for your care for us and for
all that you have made. Your mercy is over all your works, Father, Son, and
Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.
O Lord, how manifold are your works!
In wisdom you made them all;
The earth is full of your creatures.
When you open your hand
They are filled with good things.
When you hide your face, they are dismayed.
The following hymn may be said or sung:
Prayer of St. Francis & Blessing of the St Francis Garden
All creatures of our God and King,
Lift up your voices, let us sing, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
A period of silence may be kept.
The burial, or scattering of ashes, may take place here, followed by this prayer:
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
When we see pain,
Lord, teach us to bring healing.
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.
When we feel low and things don’t seem to be going well,
Lord, teach us to talk to our friends, our family and to you.
O Divine Master, grant that I
may not so much seek
When we stop and see all you have given us.
Lord, teach us to be thankful.
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
In our lives, our neighborhoods and the world
Lord, teach us to pray and teach us the way to peace.
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
Leader:
People:
Leader:
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Lord, so many people are in pain,
Teach us the way to peace.
When people around us don’t agree and think differently,
Lord, teach us to listen and understand.
When we see people getting hurt,
Lord, teach us to speak up.
When we see people who are hungry and poor,
Lord, teach us to give to them like you give to us.
When we see people treated poorly because of their skin color or language,
Lord, teach us to be an example of love.
When we see war and conflict around the world,
Lord, teach us how to make a difference and bring peace.
God be with you
And also with you.
Let us pray:
Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power,
and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
God, your blessed son, Jesus, told us that not even one, tiny sparrow is
forgotten in your sight, Strengthen our confidence in your love for all
creatures; in your goodness…
Blessed Creator, hear our prayer.