FUNERAL MINISTRY IN THE PARISH OF FAWKHAM AND HARTLEY

Facing up to Death

The death of a loved one raises profound questions about the meaning of life and the hope of heaven. At a time when we feel can feel shaken to the core, we find ourselves reaching out in faith. Jesus himself spoke of God as a loving and life-giving Father: 'the God of the living, not of the dead.' We believe that Jesus’ resurrection is the triumph of good over evil and of life over death and he has made eternal life available to us all.

In the Bible there are beautiful and poetic descriptions of heaven. Whilst we cannot say precisely what it will be like we know that we shall delight in the presence and love of God and of the whole company of heaven. Whatever is wonderful about life here on earth is only a glimpse of the glory of the life that is to come.

In the funeral service there will be a reading from the Bible which will speak of the hope of life after death, and give us the assurance of God’s continuing care: “underneath are the everlasting arms”.

The funeral service will also give an opportunity to offer thanks for the life of your loved one, and in the company of family and friends to be open to the mixture of emotions that his or her death brings. Feelings such as grief, gratitude, sadness, and joy often intermingle.

In all of this, we will be commending your loved one into the hands of God who holds all of us in life and death, the one who is both the source of life and its goal.