The Funeral Service
The funeral
service will reflect the personality of the one who has died and
the circumstances of their death. Sometimes, a sense of
tragedy is uppermost, especially when it is a young person who has
died. When it is the end of a long and fruitful life, the feelings
of thanksgiving can be strongest.
There are times when the death of a faithful Christian seems to be
the consummation of all they have lived for and the funeral service
is a triumphal departure for their true home. As for Christian in
The Pilgrim's Progress, 'all the trumpets sound for them on the other
side'.
Your loved one may have described the sort of funeral they want in
their Will. This will be an invaluable framework for planning the
service.
The service begins with the minister reading aloud a sentence
from the scripture which assure of the Christian hope in the face
of death:
"Jesus said , 'I am the resurrection and the life. Those
who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone
who
lives and believes in me will never die.'" John 11:25,26
After words of introduction a hymn is generally sung. Then follows
the eulogy. This may be given by the minister or a member of the
family. After this a psalm is said by everyone. Then comes a Bible
reading and the minister will offer words of comfort based on this
scripture passage. The readings tell of God’s care and the
hope of eternal life. Another hymn may follow, and then we turn to
God in prayer. After the prayers there may be a final hymn. The culmination
of the service comes with the words of commendation by which your
one is commended into God’s hands in the sure and certain hope
of eternal life through the death and resurrection of Jesus.
With these notes you will find a range of choices for:
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