Routledge Death Liturgy and Ritual: Volume I: A Pastoral and Liturgical Theology (Routledge Revivals)

This title was first published in 2003: Death Liturgy and Ritual is a two-volume study of Christian funerary theology and practice, presenting an invaluable account of funeral rites and the central issues involved for compilers and users. Paul Sheppy writes from direct experience of conducting funerals and of drafting liturgical resources for others. In Volume I: A Pastoral and Liturgical Theology, Sheppy argues that the Church ought to construct its theological agenda in dialogue with other fields of study. He proposes a Christian statement about death that finds its basis in the Paschal Mystery, since human death must be explained by reference to Jesus' death, descent to the dead, and resurrection. Using the three phases of van Gennep's theory of rites of passage, the author shows how the Easter triduum may be seen as normative for Christian liturgies of death. The companion volume, Volume II: A Commentary on Liturgical Texts, reviews a wide range of current Christian funeral rites and examines how they reflect both the Church's concern for the death and resurrection of Christ and the contemporary secular demand for funerals which celebrate the life of the deceased. Review 'With these volumes, Paul Sheppy has done a great service for all the churches.  By setting side-by-side many of the currently influential and currently used English-language texts for Christian liturgy at death, he helps us to see our common pastoral task much more clearly.  By setting out the communal process of death and by gently analyzing funeral texts according to their awareness of that process, he calls us to a stronger celebration of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ as the context for all such liturgical ministry.  No other such resource exists, broad in its ecumenical reach, centered in its theological vision.' Gordon W. Lathrop, Charles A. Schieren Professor, Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, USA 'Dr Sheppy's work most effectively fills a gap in the material available both for theological reflection and liturgical composition regarding Christian funeral rites.' Donald Gray CBE, Canon Emeritus of Westminster, UK 'We are fortunate to have two volumes devoted to a theological and pastoral examination of the Christian understanding of death and of the rites and rituals associated with it. These are two fine volumes, which commend themselves to anyone who seeks to broaden their knowledge and thinking on Christian death and funeral rites, and to address the difficult pastoral issues facing a Church called upon to celebrate Christian funeral liturgies in a secular society.' Society for Liturgical Study Reviews 'Paul Sheppy [...] is well qualified to write on the subject of death, liturgy, and ritual... Death Liturgy & Ritual comes in two volumes. In the first the author sets the context with which the contemporary pastor or priest will be only too familiar - ie that the majority of funerals which clergy are called upon to conduct, are for people who were, at most, nominal christians... In the second volume, Sheppy offers a commentary on selected current Christian funeral rites, and critiques them in the light of his thesis developed in the first volume.' Christianbookshops.org 'Anyone who in the foreseeable future sets out to undertake a theological study of death and the liturgical actions around it must not ignore Sheppy's work. ...There are rewards here for the pastor who seeks to explore how best the bereaved might be accompanied; for the minister who wishes to reflect on the meaning of those funerals which comprise such a significant part of their role in the church and in society; for the liturgist who wants to help the church in its funeral worship; and indeed, for anyone who wants to explore our mortality, the gospel, resurrection, and the church's calling to mourn with those who mourn.' Baptist Quarterly 'Delightful social comment and anecdote are mixed in with medical, legal and