At Bible study Monday, we had a side discussion which grew from our study in Thessalonians. We were talking about the things we do right in our church, our personal church, and Fran mentioned how many folks have remarked about the excellent food at the funeral luncheon when Andy died. The sandwiches are more or less prepared ahead but the rest of the food is donated by the members. It was marvelous, is marvelous, the bounty provided by those who love and care about this family.
Then, the conversation flowed to our good, Lutheran funerals. People are really robbing their loved ones (or the loved ones are robbing themselves) of this last chance of sharing the Good News, the hope that we have for eternity with the Lord. Michael had a lovely graphic (below) which pictured Christ's return for us, surrounded by saints and angels. Captured the sentiment of the lesson perfectly.
Pastor Hoyer has more than once mentioned his sorrow over how many people are forgoing the 'traditional' funeral services held in church. Instead, folks are doing delayed memorials held at facilities provided by the funeral homes. This shift is likely due to the more frequent use of cremation, streamlining the entire process.
I am also wondering if this might be so because the survivors are less attached to a church family where they live and might not relish the prospect of being reminded of what they left behind. This might be way off base, but makes me think....
Judy C. mentioned the services she attended at Moosehaven, rather generic ones conducted by the chaplain. Most of the format was singing the praises of the person who has died, rather than the praises of Him who gave His Son for us. Others mentioned going to funerals where folks jump up and give lengthy testimonials about the person who died, leaving there with little in the way of comfort, or assurance of a reunion in heaven.
To keep up with what is going on in my home town, I will check the local newspaper via the Internet, including the obits. Sadly, it seems Manty and the surrounding area has so many 'young' people dying. Folks in their 30's and in their 60's plus the ages in between. Now, in a small town, that seems to be lots of young folks, if you ask me. Perhaps to Justin, these would be older folks, but to one who is this age, they are young!
More often than not, people have no mention of church affiliation, conducting the memorial service at the funeral home, making use of the house chaplain. This makes me put my sad face on, my sad heart, too, thinking these folks might not have had the Lord in their lives. Hopefully that is not the case. The funeral service gives a person yet one more opportunity to offer comfort to the survivors and hear the reminders of what God has done for them, and for us. I would hate to be robbed of this opportunity to do so.
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