Components of Care at CMC

Funeral Planning

Resources for Grieving

Healing Services

House Blessing

Contact Us 

Home

Site Map

The pastor can lead in a private memorial service in the event of a miscarriage. This service can be done either in your home, at the church, or at some other suitable place to which you may invite friends and family members. This order of service is merely a suggested outline; we can adapt it to suit your preferences and needs.  

Blessed Jesus, lover of children, we cry to you for help. We expected the life of a child, but instead we have experienced a sudden death. Our sadness is profound and we know that you weep with us in our loss. Help us to hear your consoling voice as we listen to the truth of your Word. Heal our grief and be compassionate to us. Amen.

Suitable passages include Ezekiel 37:1-14; Matthew 18:1-5, 10; Mark 10:13-16; Romans 8:18-23, 26-30; Revelation 21:1-5 or others that are meaningful.

The parent(s) read a letter to the child.

Leader:  What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? Will not God, who did not withhold Jesus, but gave him up for all of us, also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

People:  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Christ who loved us. For we are convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

(Adapted from Romans 8:31-39)

Leader:  Christ, our Lord, long ago in Galilee, many who were suffering needed friends and family to bring them to your side. Confident of your goodness, we now bring to you, [name parents/siblings], who need your healing touch during this time of loss.

People:  We lay our hands on you in the name of Jesus Christ, asking God to uphold you and to fill you with grace, that you may know the healing power of God’s love. We give you our love, promising to stand by you in the days to come.

Digging, burying, and planting a memorial perennial, bush, or tree.

Leader: O Lord, you have searched us and known us. You know when we sit down and when we rise up; you discern our thoughts from far away. You search out our paths and our lying down, and are acquainted with all our ways. Even before a word is on our tongues, O Lord, you know it completely. You hem us in, behind and before, and lay your hand upon us. Such knowledge is too wonderful for us.

Where can we go from your spirit? Or where can we flee from your presence? If we ascend to heaven, you are there; if we make our beds in Sheol, you are there. If we take the wings of the morning and settle at the farthest limits of the sea, even there your hand shall lead us. If we say, "Surely the darkness shall cover us, and the light around us become night," even the darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day, for darkness is as light to you.

For it was you who formed our inward parts; you knit us together in our mothers’ wombs. We praise you, for we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that we know very well.

(Adapted from Psalm 139)

Prayer by the Parent or Parents:

Loving God, we release our child into your care. We believe that even though he/she has died, you welcome him/her and will care for him/her. We also believe that by your mercy you will bring our family all together again in the joy of your promised kingdom. We pray through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Special Music or Group Song (optional)

People:  We praise you, O God, for you are the source of life. May this memorial plant remind us of your victory over death, of your unfailing presence with us, and of the bodily resurrection we have through Christ. Amen.

Leader: May the peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of God’s son Jesus Christ our Lord!