Quaker funerals are held in the same manner as any other Quaker meeting for worship, a silent prayer meeting, with Ministry given, and open to anyone present to contribute.
This will both remember and celebrate the life of the person who has died. The family of the deceased may have specific requirements that they would like included in the service.
A funeral is the responsibility of the Area Meeting therefore they must be notified upon the death.
An Elder from the Area Meeting will oversee and will be responsible for ensuring that the meeting is conducted in the manner of Friends and in accordance with the wishes of the deceased and their family.
An Elder will introduce the meeting for worship and the form it will take on the occasion of the funeral. This will be particularly important when many of the congregation present may not be Quakers or familiar with the style of worship. Other Quakers will attend from local meeting who know the person who has died.
Elders from the meeting the deceased attended will most likely communicate directly with the family and note their wishes so that these can be incorporated into the service.
Leaflets can be acquired on funerals from Friends Bookshop in London, tel 020 7663 1030. The leaflet can be downloaded here.
These are helpful not only for the family, but also for their friends attending the funeral, particularly if they are not Friends themselves. It might also be useful to give a leaflet to the undertaker concerned so that they, too, will be familiar with the style of Quaker worship.
On some occasions the deceased, or their relatives, may be members of another church. Members may indeed have dual membership, perhaps a Quaker but also a member of another denomination, in which case there is sometimes a need for a joint service with a minister participating as well. On these occasions the Quaker meeting of silence and ministry will form part of the service.
The needs and style of Quaker funerals can be as varied as the individuals and their lives.
Funerals may take place within a meeting house, at church or crematorium, but could also be at the persons home, or any other convenient place, depending on the wishes of the deceased and their family.
Janet Fairbairn, Lochaber and Lorn Local Meeting