The four symbols of departure.

This committal service is designed for the minister and the funeral director. The minister will read the symbols and explanations while the director lays each symbol on the casket in the order as they are read.

1. Dead Branch - this branch's fruit bearing days are over. It is going back to the earth. So is the body of our dear Sister/Brother here departed. Her/His fruit bearing days are over; her/his body is going back to the earth from which it came. Gen. 3:19 (NIV) By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return."
2. Red Flower- Red flower represents blood - without blood there can be no life. Lev. 17:11a "For the life of a creature is in the blood," Also, without the shedding of blood there can be no remission or forgiveness of sin. (Is. 1:18) "Though your sins be as scarlet they shall be as with as snow, though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." The shed blood of Jesus Christ applied to our life, makes us fit vessels for Heaven.
3. White Flower- White represents heaven, purity, etc. (Repeat Is. 1:18 again.) Sister/Brother _________ has been made a fit vessel, washed white in the blood of the Lamb. It is not because of what we have done, but it is because of who Jesus is and what he has done that we can stand before the throne of God having our garments washed in the blood of the Lamb. Rev. 7:14 (NIV) I answered, "Sir, you know." And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
4. Green Fern - The green fern represents eternal life. Our sister/brother has gone to a place where she/he will never die. John 6:40 (NIV) For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." 1Joh 5:11 (NIV) and this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. Let the word of God bring comfort to all those who believe in the Son of God. Let the Holy Spirit reassure you in your pain of separation. May the Hope of eternal life be that which gives you the strength to continue to serve the Lord in this life looking forward to the life to come. Be assured that time which has separated us will also be the factor that restores our lost love.
5. Closing Prayer of Departure.