Almighty God, your child Jesus died on a cross,
and by his dying turned death into a doorway full of light.
Welcome your servant _______, who has died.
May pain be lifted.
May flesh be glorified.
May new life be filled with childlike laughter.
Please give us who walk away sweet tears,
a tender concern for neighbors,
and a sure sense of your unfailing love for us all;
through Jesus Christ the Lord.
Amen.

David Buttrick
Professor of Homiletics and Liturgics
Vanderbilt Divinity School