Thursday

Why Funerals Aren't All Bad

I’ve attended funeral services where grieving loved ones’ cars overflowed the parking lot and mourners watched the service from side rooms on closed-caption tvs because the sanctuary was standing-room only.

And I’ve attended funeral services where random bits and pieces of a tattered family stood awkwardly around a casket checking their watches to see how long until the perfunctory rituals were completed.

I’ve been a part of services that were more like weddings, because they were celebratory, albeit in a sad, tender sort of way. 

And I’ve been a part of services that were bitterly painful and completely devoid of hope.

I’ve participated in tributes that testified of a life well-lived to the glory of God, and I’ve participated in tributes where the minister was hired for the hour and scrambled to piece together enough facts to fake an association.

Funerals make people introspective, because they bring us face to face with the reality that “it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). It is fitting that we ponder both our eternity and our lives today.

“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom,” the psalmist prays. 

Do I want those attending my funeral to tell stories about what a great tennis player I was, or what a difference I made in someone’s life? Will they expound about what a brilliant mind I had, or about my tender heart? Will they share how I stood in line for hours to see a great concert, or how I stood by their bedside when they were sick?

At my funeral, what will people say?

And what will they say at yours?

Most importantly, what will Jesus say?

I pray it will be “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of the Lord.”



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5 comments:

  1. Oh, this strikes a chord with my heart, dear friend as I prepare to attend a funeral this week. Thank you for your words this morning.

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  2. Lori, I'm Angie from Womanhood With Purpose, I need to get it touch with you, it's important. any email? can u email me: womanhoodwithpurpose@gmail.com. Thanks! waiting to hear from you, blessings.

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  3. Lori, this is so true and such a wonderful testimony of how our lives ought to be lived...for the glory of God. I recently went to the funeral of a close friend who was only 41 and left her dear husband and six children. Sad, yet she had a life lived to the glory of God and a memorial service that reflected her sweet life as a testimony to unsaved relatives and friends.

    I wrote about it here: http://wholehearted-home.blogspot.com/2012/10/our-rose-wife-mother-friend.html

    And another post by a friend, here: http://wholehearted-home.blogspot.com/2012/11/our-time-on-earth-is-very-short.html

    I think we are thinking on the same wavelength. Thanks for linking up over at WholeHearted Home this week. Your blog is such a blessing and I hope to see you again soon.

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  4. Thank you for sharing this. Funerals definitely aren't my favorite place to be, but it is inevitable for all of us. Your post reminds me of the saying that speaks of the dash on your head stone. Thank you for linking up at Simply Helping Him last week :) Blessings!

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  5. The tradition of sending flowers to someone after a loved one has passed away can be confusing. sympathy flower arrangements Here are some easy-to-follow guidelines.

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