ABSTRACT
The Lutherans trace their roots directly to the debates initiated by Martin Luther. The minister greets the coffin and the pallbearers at the entrance to the church as they arrive with the family. The minister then leads the coffin and the close mourners into church. As the procession makes its way to the front of the church a psalm, scripture sentence or hymn may be sung. Prayers are said, and a range of prayer texts is offered. The minister then meets the coffin and the bereaved at the entrance of the church and the congregation turns to face the funeral procession. The prayers that follow recall the death of Lazarus, the compassion Jesus showed to Martha and Mary, his grief at the tomb and his word of resurrection; they continue by reference to the promise of paradise to the repentant thief.
