AME Funeral Tradition in DFW: Pulpit Coordination, the Class, and the Bishop's Role

The African Methodist Episcopal Church — founded in 1816 by Bishop Richard Allen — is one of the historic denominations of the African American Christian tradition. AME funerals share much with the broader home-going tradition but include specific liturgical elements rooted in the AME Discipline (the church's governing constitution). For DFW families coordinating an AME funeral, this guide walks through the AME-specific traditions and the practical logistics.

Vargas-London works with the major DFW AME congregations including Saint Paul AME (Dallas) and Saint John AME (Fort Worth), and with many smaller AME congregations across the metroplex.

The structure of an AME funeral

An AME funeral follows a structured Order of Service drawn from the AME Discipline. While individual congregations vary, the standard order typically includes:

• Prelude: organ or piano music as the family enters
• Processional: family processes in
• Opening Hymn: typically from the AMEC Hymnal (e.g., "How Great Thou Art," "Amazing Grace")
• Invocation: by the senior pastor or a designated deacon
• Old Testament Reading: typically read by a family member
• Solo or Choir Selection: featured soloist or small choir
• New Testament Reading: typically read by another family member
• Solo or Choir Selection: again
• Reading of the Obituary: by a family member or church staff
• Acknowledgment of Cards, Telegrams, and Resolutions: by a designated reader
• Reflections from family and friends: 3-6 short tributes
• Words of Comfort: from a visiting clergyperson if attending
• Solo or Choir Selection: leading into the eulogy
• The Eulogy: by the senior pastor (typically 30-45 minutes)
• Recognition of the Family: pastor's words specifically to the immediate family
• Final Viewing: congregation processes past the casket
• Recessional: family processes out

Total length typically 90-120 minutes, sometimes longer for prominent members.

The AME Class system and its role in funerals

The AME Church organizes its members into "Classes" — small groups within the congregation, traditionally of 12-20 members, led by a Class Leader. Each member belongs to a Class, and the Class becomes a pastoral unit within the larger congregation. When a member dies, the Class plays a central role:

• Visiting the family: Class members visit the family at home throughout the days surrounding the funeral, bringing food, providing support, and being a "presence."
• Resolution of Condolence: the Class formally drafts a resolution of condolence to be read at the service, expressing the Class's love and witness to the deceased's life.
• Floral arrangement: the Class typically provides a floral piece, formally noted at the service.
• Pallbearers and Honorary Pallbearers: Class members often serve in these roles.
• Repast support: the Class organizes meals for the family during the days surrounding the funeral.
• Recognition during the service: the Class may be specifically recognized during the service.

The Class system is one of the distinctive features of AME funeral tradition, providing a structure of immediate, personal community support that is built into the church's organization. For families whose deceased relative was an active AME member, the Class is the first line of community support.

The role of the Bishop and District Elder

For prominent AME members — long-serving lay leaders, ordained clergy, or distinguished community figures — the AME Bishop or District Elder may be involved:

• The Bishop: AME Bishops are the highest authority in the AME Church. The 12th Episcopal District (covering Texas and adjacent states) has a Bishop who may attend funerals of significant church leaders.
• The Presiding Elder: each AME Conference is divided into Districts, with a Presiding Elder who oversees the District. The Presiding Elder often attends funerals of clergy or significant lay leaders within their District.
• Visiting Pastors: pastors from neighboring AME churches may attend and speak briefly.

For a family with a prominent AME relative, contacting the Presiding Elder or the Bishop's office is appropriate. They are often willing to attend or send representatives. Vargas-London facilitates this conversation if needed.

Saint Paul AME Church (Dallas) and Saint John AME Church (Fort Worth)

The two largest historically African Methodist Episcopal congregations in DFW:

Saint Paul AME Church
1816 Routh Street, Dallas, TX 75201
One of the oldest African American congregations in Dallas, with deep roots in the early 20th-century African American community. Saint Paul has hosted home-going services for many notable Dallas figures.

Saint John AME Church
1805 NE 22nd Street, Fort Worth, TX 76164
Historic Fort Worth AME congregation with a substantial home-going tradition. Saint John works closely with Vargas-London for Tarrant County AME services.

Both congregations have:

• Full music ministry and choir
• Fellowship hall for repast (significant capacity)
• Class system providing ongoing pastoral support
• Cemetery coordination expertise
• Ability to facilitate Bishop/Presiding Elder involvement for prominent members

Smaller AME congregations across DFW also handle funerals competently — the AME Discipline ensures consistency of liturgy and tradition across the denomination.

Music in AME funerals

AME funerals draw from the AMEC Hymnal — the African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal — combined with traditional African American gospel selections. Common selections:

• "Amazing Grace" (#283 in AMEC Hymnal)
• "How Great Thou Art" (#150)
• "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" (#467)
• "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" (#447)
• "It Is Well With My Soul"
• "When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder"
• "I'll Fly Away"
• "Going Up Yonder" (Tramaine Hawkins)
• Featured soloist's choice from the gospel canon

The AME tradition includes a strong organ tradition; many AME congregations have full pipe organs played by skilled organists. Choir selections are typically multipart. The Director of Music coordinates with the family on song selection.

AME burial and cemetery coordination

AME burial coordination is similar to other African American funeral traditions in DFW. Common cemeteries:

• Laurel Land Memorial Park (Dallas): traditional resting place for many AME families
• Oakland Cemetery (Dallas, historic): historic South Dallas cemetery with deep AME-tradition roots
• Restland Memorial Park (Dallas)
• Sparkman/Hillcrest Memorial Park (Dallas Park Cities)
• Greenwood Memorial Park (Fort Worth, historic)
• DFW National Cemetery (for veterans)

The graveside service includes prayer, scripture (often Psalm 23 or Romans 8:35-39), the AME Committal Service from the Discipline, and final blessing. The Class Leader may speak a brief word at the graveside if appropriate.