VOL 1: SAINTS
Our Christian / Lutheran Funeral ~
“At the funeral we give voice to sorrow, thank God for our loved one, and entrust this companion of ours into the hands of God.”
I describe the Funeral as including Four Facets:
(page 11-13)
Acknowledging Our Loss and Sadness
A funeral can offer the proverbial “shaking fist” toward heaven in righteous rage and indignation – depending on the circumstances of the loved one’s death. After all, death is not always an Angel of Mercy, but sometimes it is an Interruption and Intruder; the last enemy of God’s good and gracious will for us.
Recalling that we are Embraced by God (here and hereafter)
Faithful preaching at the funeral will help us feel closer to God – not alienated or victimized – and remind us that we have been connected to God for our entire lives. The funeral reminds us that God has been a mysterious, mystical and meaningful presence throughout our earthly journeys ~ whether God is recognized or incognito.
Recognizing Our Release from Mortal / Broken Bodies
A good funeral reminds us that death releases us from a body that cannot, ultimately, be healed, fixed, repaired, or restored. Our bodies and our lives on earth are fragile, flawed, and not meant to last forever. We need to hear that Truth, at least at the Funeral, and accept it as we continue our Journey until it ends somewhere in the future.
Proclaiming God’s Ultimate Victory over Death
Faith believes and trusts that God has defeated sin, death and the devil on the Cross. God’s love will prevail despite all evidence to the contrary. God cares deeply and intimately for each of us, even when we are in the grip of grief and feel separated, abandoned or isolated from God, especially “in the Valley shadowed by Death”.
A Quote / Review:
This book is a practical guide for newly ordained pastors without much funeral experience as well as an inspirational guide for the “been there, done that, got the t-shirt” pastors. This book gives a hands-on method for pastors to honor the lives of the saints in their congregation and make it personal and meaningful for the grieving family. Families will appreciate writing tributes as another way to honor the lives of their loved in a way far exceeding what a picture collage would ever do.
- Rev. Tammy Craker, ordained July, 2010, currently serving her third Call in Montana, daughter of our Loganville congregation. I t was an privilege to help mentor her.