Almighty God, our Father in heaven, before whom live all who die in the Lord: Receive N. into the courts of your heavenly dwelling. Let N.'s heart and soul now ring out in joy to you, O Lord, the Living God, and the God of those who live. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP p. 466)

"Receive N. into the courts of your heavenly dwelling." I think that says everything about why we are gathered here today. Because we are here today to affirm that to God's "faithful people, life is changed, not ended; and when our mortal body lies in death, there is prepared for us a dwelling place eternal in the heavens" (BCP p. 382). We read in the 14th chapter of the Gospel of John, these words of Jesus: "In my Father's house there are many dwelling places."

We are here today to offer up our prayer…