Purpose of a Funeral

Purpose of a funeral

It is important to keep in mind that the funeral service is for the living. It is intended to comfort those who mourn with the only thing that really can comfort them in their time of grief, the Gospel. The Gospel is the message that through faith in Jesus Christ we have gained eternal life, and when this world comes to an end the bodies of all those who have died in the faith will be raised and together we will spend eternity with our Lord.

Purpose of the Church

This is why a Christian funeral will not focus so much on the life of the person we mourn but on the new life they have been given in Christ; the new life they now enjoy in paradise. Therefore the Scripture readings, the hymns the sermon, and the liturgy of the Christian funeral willall point to the salvation God has granted us. The pastor will ensure that this happens in a Christian funeral.

The church can also be used for fellowship following the funeral. The basement is available for lunches and the church’s Board of Parish Fellowship often makes themselves available to prepare and serve a lunch.

Purpose of the Funeral Home

While the church will take care of spiritual matters, the funeral home takes care of logistical matters (the transporting of the body, cremation, taking the family to the gravesite, etc.). Funeral directors are very professional and it is in their best interest that you are pleased with the service they offer.

Caskets and urns are usually purchased from the funeral home. When purchasing such items it is important to remember what has already been mentioned above: Funerals are for the living. Family members of a loved one can get emotionally carried away and spend much more on these items than their loved one would want them to. It is good to discuss what you see as an appropriate cost for these items with your family.

When to notify the Pastor

Certainly the family should notify the family member’s pastor upon his or her death, but in a case of severe or terminal illness the pastor can also be a source of support. The pastor can minister to the dying person, strengthen and comfort him or her in the faith, and prepare them for death. The pastor can also be of comfort to the family at this time.

Cremation

The Bible does not speak against cremation. In the past the church discouraged cremation, but that was because cremation was a pagan practice and used by those who didn’t want their bodies resurrected.

Over the years the reasons for cremation have changed. Furthermore we recognize that God is all-powerful and can raise and restore a body no matter what condition it is in. Therefore cremation is a cost-effective way for the Christian to be buried.

Eulogies

As mentioned under Purpose of a Funeral, the funeral is meant to point to God and the new life He gives us in heaven. Strictly speaking, a eulogy has no place in a Christian funeral because, by their very nature, they turn the focus to the life of the departed one.

Some options for the eulogy is to print it on the back of the bulletin, or have it read later during the lunch. If the family insists that it be read for the service then it is to be read immediately after the casket has been brought into the nave and before the invocation (“In the name of the Father…”)

Scripture Readings

The following is a list of suggested scripture passages for a funeral:

Psalms: 16, 23, 46, 90, 103, 121, 130, 139

Job: 14:1-15; 19:21-27

Ecclesiastes: 12:1-7

Isaiah: 25:6-9; 55:1,2 & 6-11

Lamentations: 3: 22-33

Romans: 5:1-11; 6:3-5; 8:31-39

I Corinthians: 15:1-26; 15:35-57; 15:51-57; II Corinthians:4:13-5:7

I Thessalonians: 4:13-18

II Timothy: 4:6-8

I Peter: I:3-9

I John: 3:1-2

Revelation: 7:9-17; 21:2-7

Mark: 10:13-16 (child); 16:1-8

Luke: 2:25-40; 7:11-17; 24:1-9

John: 3:517; 3:14-21; 6:37-40; 10:1-10; 10:11-16; 10:27-29; 11:21-27;

12:23-26; 14:1-6; 17:20-26; 20:1-18; 20:19-31

Hymns

The following is a list of suggested hymns for a funeral:

Jesus Lives, The Victory’s Won

For All the Saints, Who From Their Labours Rest

O God, Our Help In Ages Past

I Know That My Redeemer Lives

Chief of Sinners Though I Be

A Mighty Fortress Is Our God

Today Your Mercy Calls Us

Just As I Am Without One Plea

My Hope Is Built On Nothing Less

Jesus Still Lead On

The Lord’s My Shepherd

Abide With Me, Fast Falls the Eventide

Beautiful Saviour

Amazing Grace

Lord Take My Hand And Lead Me

What A Friend We Have In Jesus

How Great Thou Art

[Below is the outline of the funeral service used at St. Paul's]

A Celebration of Life

for______

on ______

PROCESSIONAL HYMN:

WELCOME

INVOCATION

OPENING SENTENCE and PRAYER

LESSONS:Old Testament/Epistle: ______

Gospel: ______

HYMN:

SERMON: Text:

THE APOSTLES’ CREED: opposite page

THE PRAYERS

THE PALL

A white cloth is placed over the casket to remind us that ______is a baptized child of God, completely covered by His grace, and therefore worthy of entering heaven.

COMMENDATION

Pastor:Into Your hands, O merciful Saviour, we commend Your servant, ______. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech You, a sheep of Your fold, a lamb of Your own flock, a sinner of Your own redeeming. Receive her into the arms of Your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light.

People: Amen

BENEDICTION

Pastor:Let us go forth in peace.

People:In the name of Christ. Amen.

RECESSIONAL HYMN:

Activities in the community (job, church, service etc.):

A GUIDE TO HELP MY FAMILY

IN PLANNING MY FUNERAL

We are assured of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ, therefore we are able to face the time when we die. Aware of the fact that that day will one day come, this form is intended to serve as a guide for my family as they plan my funeral. It is not meant to be followed to the letter. The family and pastor may feel free to use this information in any way they see proper. Because the funeral is for the living, the wishes of the family are to be regarded as important.

NAME:

Dateof birth:

Place of birth:

Baptismal date:

Confirmation date:

Confirmation verse:

Favorite Bible verses/stories:

Favorite psalms:

Favorite hymns:

(It is understood that favorite Bible verses, psalms, and hymns may not all be appropriate for a funeral)

Suggested soloist (if any):

Suggested funeral home:

Suggested cemetery:

Do you wish

Agrave plot?YesNo

Columbarium?YesNo

Cremation?YesNo

Suggested memorials:

Memorials or flowers as people prefer

Memorial gifts instead of flowers

Suggested pallbearers:

Suggested honorary pall bearers (if any):

Check if the use of the pall is desired.

Check if military honors are suggested.

Thoughts I would like shared only with my family at the time of my funeral:

Thoughts I would like shared with the congregation at the time of my funeral:

Other suggestions for my funeral service:

INFORMATION FOR AN OBITUARY

Full legal name:

Address:

Father’s Name:

Mother’s maiden name:

Marital status:

Name of spouse:

Children: (name and cityLiving (circle response)

Yes No

Number of grandchildren great-grandchildren

Brothers and Sisters (name and city)Living (circle response)

Yes No

The Rite of

Christian Burial

Helping your family plan your funeral

ST. PAUL'S LUTHERAN CHURCH

627 Taylor Street East

Saskatoon, SK S7H 1V9

306-343-9535