funerals

Fall Study 2000

Part I: Funerals

Purpose of the Study

A Christian pastor should not fail to instruct the flock of Christ in due time concerning Christian burials. The time spent in preparation may spare him and the family much vexation in weighing issues if matters are addressed beforehand. This study is neither a comprehensive review of funerals and services nor a study of the Bible's view of death, though both matters will be discussed in conjunction with the study.

Goals of the Study

The Christian would not mourn as those who have no hope, but as one who trusts that Christ Jesus has overcome death and the grave.

The Christian would be able to give a strong witness to Christ's victory over death and the grave by means of the funeral service and committal.

The Christian would prepare for death and for the service itself with strong faith.

Services in General

1. Death is mentioned frequently enough in Scripture. In the following passages, what is prescribed for a service, with either a body present or absent? Genesis 23; 49:33-50:3,13; 1 Kings 2:10; Luke 23:53-56; Acts 5:6.

2. Why, then, would Christians have a rite of burial? Read Romans 14:8, 9; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 1:18

3. How will a Christian rite of burial differ from a non-Christian rite of burial? Read Matthew 14:12; 27:59-61; Acts 8:2.

4. Prior to the funeral services with which we are familiar, the custom of viewing, either at a mortuary or sometimes even at the church (immediately prior to the service), has been practiced. Is a viewing necessary? What benefits might a viewing have?

5. Abraham buried his wife Sarah (Genesis 23); Jacob was embalmed and later buried in the family plot (Genesis 50); Lazarus was buried (John 11). Do those passages offer any definitive binding statement on the manner of disposition of the body?

6. In general, what was the opinion that the Church held about cremation? What has Scripture said about cremation? Read Leviticus 20:14; 1 Samuel 31:12,13; 2 Samuel 2:5; and Joshua 7:25. For what reason might some people object to cremation? If Scripture offers no prohibition, what might be the advantages of cremation?

7. Abraham buried his wife Sarah in a cave purchased from the Hittites (Genesis 23). Many churches, especially in the Midwest and the East, have their own cemeteries. Could the location of the burial say anything about the confession of faith?

Elements in the Service

1. In the passages noted so far, we have read about the mourning accompanying deaths and the burials themselves. Did we read about any particular elements in (the) services? What should be the constituent elements of a funeral and / or burial?

2. What determines what is read or sung during the service? What guidelines should be followed in terms of music, both texts and tunes? Read Philippians 4:8-9; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:1-6, 12-29; Revelation 22:12-13.

3. What purposes will the pastor try to achieve in the sermon?

a. Romans 8:28

b. Philippians 1:23

c. 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17

d. Hebrews 13:5,6

e. Hebrews 12:1-3; 2 Corinthians 1:3

f. Romans 6:25

4. Why aren't funeral sermons eulogies? Is it appropriate to have a eulogy in the service?

Other Matters

1. When might a memorial service be appropriate?

2. How will a family determine when the services (funeral, memorial, committal, etc.) should be held?

3. What place do military rites have in Christian services? When are other organizations refused participation in a service, whether a funeral, memorial, or committal?

4. What services might a funeral pall provide?

5. What considerations should we remember if we contemplate an open or closed casket?

6. Should the church itself be open to others who might wish to use it for funeral services?

7. How might Jeremiah 22:18,19 and 1 Corinthians 13:7 possibly guide the pastor in considering for whom to perform a service?

Case Studies

The case studies are a method by which we may apply what we have studied; they will also move us to consider the issues more closely. They cannot encompass every circumstance.

1. Mary Winslow, a life-long member of Abiding Life Lutheran congregation, has died after a long illness. She had been a Sunday school teacher and a member of the LWML and Altar Guild. Her husband had preceded her in death by several years. Her children and grandchildren still belong to the congregation, and they are just as active in the life of the congregation as Mary had been. What issues will be considered as the funeral service for Mary is planned?

2. John Blenkhorn's uncle, Lawrence Hill, was a member of First Methodist, only a few blocks away from Abiding Life Lutheran. Because John and his uncle were very close - John had cared for his uncle at home for many years - John asks his pastor to perform the service. What issues might arise and how might they be weighed?

3. John Blenkhorn's aunt, Sarah, died a few years after her husband Lawrence. Unlike her husband, Sarah had no connection with First Methodist, and as much as anybody can determine, she had no connection with any Christian congregation. John again asks his pastor to perform a service. What issues might arise and how might they be weighed?

4. Samuel "Bud" Langster had been raised at Abiding Life Lutheran. For various reasons - some lost in the past - Bud drifted away. He had never been removed from the roster of the congregation, although discipline had been considered. His family, all of which had moved out of town, knew he had been a member, and so the eldest child, his son, calls the pastor of Abiding Life. What issues might arise and how might they be weighed?

5. Tom Browning was a fixture of Maple Valley subdivision; in fact, he bought the first house of the subdivision and had been there when the building for Abiding Life was dedicated, though he never was a member (nor any place else). He had organized the neighborhood watch program, was instrumental in several community action events; many regarded him as the neighborhood grandfather. Because of his popularity in the area and Abiding Life happens to be only a few doors away from his house, the neighborhood asks Abiding Life to hold a service for Mr. Browning. What issues might arise and how might they be weighed?

6. David Dobinger had led a troubled life. In elementary school learning disabilities caused him to be shunned; as a consequence he fell into the wrong crowd. Though he maintained contact with the pastor of Abiding Life, life became rockier in high school. Unknown to him his family also had a history of mental illness - Grandpa Dobinger had died before David could have ever realized anything. The pressures of work, his learning disabilities and the mental illness hung as a dark cloud over his young life. At 24 he committed suicide. What issues might arise and how might they be weighed?

Summary

Christian burial involves both confessing the hope that the deceased died as a fellow believer who will rise again to everlasting life, and bringing comfort to the survivors. The pastor is responsible for the religious features in the funeral and committal services.

We might sum up the principles governing sound Lutheran burial practice in the following two statements: We grant Christian burial to members of our congregations unless there is a compelling reason not to do so. We shall not grant Christian burial to those who are not members of our congregation unless there is a compelling reason to do so.