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FUNERAL MANUALFUNERAL MANUALST. PAUL’S LUTHERAN CHURCHST. PAUL’S LUTHERAN CHURCHA Church ofThe Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod200 Burdick Expressway EastMinot, NDwww.anchoredminot.comA Church ofThe Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod200 Burdick Expressway EastMinot, NDwww.anchoredminot.comAlmighty God, by the death of Your Son Jesus Christ You destroyed death, byHis rest in the tomb You sanctified the graves of Your saints, and by His bodily resurrection You brought life and immortality to light so that all who die inHim abide in peace and hope. Receive our thanks for the victory over deathand the grave that He won for us. Keep us in everlasting communion with allwho wait for Him on earth and with all in heaven who are with Him, for He isthe resurrection and the life, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.Almighty God, by the death of Your Son Jesus Christ You destroyed death, byHis rest in the tomb You sanctified the graves of Your saints, and by His bodily resurrection You brought life and immortality to light so that all who die inHim abide in peace and hope. Receive our thanks for the victory over deathand the grave that He won for us. Keep us in everlasting communion with allwho wait for Him on earth and with all in heaven who are with Him, for He isthe resurrection and the life, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
T A WORD ABOUT FUNERALS TT A WORD ABOUT FUNERALS TA funeral according to Meriam Webster is the"observances held for a dead person before burialor cremation." We might think of a funeral as apublic way of dealing with grief. Grief according toJohn W. Santrock is, "The emotional numbness,disbelief, separation anxiety, despair, sadness, andloneliness that accompany the loss of someone welove." The funeral is meant to help people come togrips with the reality of grief and accept the realityof death.Funerals are common in many cultures. Funeral observances in the Biblewere far different from those which we are accustomed to in the UnitedStates. A common element among them was having an extended time ofmourning. For example, when Moses died, "The Israelites grieved forMoses in the plains of Moab thirty days, until the time of weeping andmourning was over." Another characteristic was to have a funeralprocession where people wailed and the body was carried off to the grave.In fact, it was common to pay people to cry out aloud (professionalmourners).Loss brings pain and crying. Even Jesus cried when Lazarus died, "Jesuswept" (John 11:35). It is healthy to mourn the loss of a loved one. Tellingstories about the good and bad times we have had with the person mayhelp with grief. It is good to set time aside to talk about the person and tocry together as a group. It is good to remember the loved one through oldphotographs, videos, and stories. Such time will bring many tears to oureyes as we remember a person. It is healthy to get out and talk with fellowfamily and to cry together.As Christians we need not ignore the grieving process or to pretend itdoes not exist. We should participate, but we have an opportunity to dosomething different, that no other group of people can do: to have aworship service during this time of grieving. A time to not focus on theperson who has died but upon our God who has done something for theperson that has died and for us who are still alive.A funeral according to Meriam Webster is the"observances held for a dead person before burialor cremation." We might think of a funeral as apublic way of dealing with grief. Grief according toJohn W. Santrock is, "The emotional numbness,disbelief, separation anxiety, despair, sadness, andloneliness that accompany the loss of someone welove." The funeral is meant to help people come togrips with the reality of grief and accept the realityof death.Funerals are common in many cultures. Funeral observances in the Biblewere far different from those which we are accustomed to in the UnitedStates. A common element among them was having an extended time ofmourning. For example, when Moses died, "The Israelites grieved forMoses in the plains of Moab thirty days, until the time of weeping andmourning was over." Another characteristic was to have a funeralprocession where people wailed and the body was carried off to the grave.In fact, it was common to pay people to cry out aloud (professionalmourners).Loss brings pain and crying. Even Jesus cried when Lazarus died, "Jesuswept" (John 11:35). It is healthy to mourn the loss of a loved one. Tellingstories about the good and bad times we have had with the person mayhelp with grief. It is good to set time aside to talk about the person and tocry together as a group. It is good to remember the loved one through oldphotographs, videos, and stories. Such time will bring many tears to oureyes as we remember a person. It is healthy to get out and talk with fellowfamily and to cry together.As Christians we need not ignore the grieving process or to pretend itdoes not exist. We should participate, but we have an opportunity to dosomething different, that no other group of people can do: to have aworship service during this time of grieving. A time to not focus on theperson who has died but upon our God who has done something for theperson that has died and for us who are still alive.22
Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 4:13, 18, "Brothers, we do not want you tobe ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men,who have no hope. . . Therefore encourage each other with these words."These words describe what Paul would have us say at the time of death,namely encouraging one another with the words of truth that come fromscripture concerning the resurrection, etc.Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 4:13, 18, "Brothers, we do not want you tobe ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men,who have no hope. . . Therefore encourage each other with these words."These words describe what Paul would have us say at the time of death,namely encouraging one another with the words of truth that come fromscripture concerning the resurrection, etc.Indeed, funerals are a time for us to acknowledge the death of a lovedone, but it is also a time for us to acknowledge and hear about the deathof Jesus Christ. Why the death of Jesus? Answer; there is no other deathlike Jesus’ death. Yes, Jesus’ death brought death to death. Yes, throughthe death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we have God’s solid answer thatdeath’s sting is finished and that there is life after death in Jesus; aresurrected life. Thus, funerals are a time where our grief is met by thecomfort of God’s forgiveness of sins and the promised resurrectionthrough Christ.Indeed, funerals are a time for us to acknowledge the death of a lovedone, but it is also a time for us to acknowledge and hear about the deathof Jesus Christ. Why the death of Jesus? Answer; there is no other deathlike Jesus’ death. Yes, Jesus’ death brought death to death. Yes, throughthe death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we have God’s solid answer thatdeath’s sting is finished and that there is life after death in Jesus; aresurrected life. Thus, funerals are a time where our grief is met by thecomfort of God’s forgiveness of sins and the promised resurrectionthrough Christ.T WHAT ABOUT DEATH AND DYING? TT WHAT ABOUT DEATH AND DYING? TWhat is death?The Bible teaches that death is not annihilation in which we cease to exist.Instead, the Scriptures teach that death is the separation of our eternalsoul from our mortal bodies. Our bodies rest in the grave, awaiting thefinal day when soul and body shall be reunited. At the moment of death,our souls, and the souls of all those who die in the faith, are immediatelyin the presence of Christ.Is death natural?It is easy to think of death as a natural part of life. However, death is notnatural. We were never created for the purpose of death. Instead, death isa horrible reality. It is the enemy we each face at the end of our lives.Death is a result of sin—the awful curse that fell on creation through thesin of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Therefore, death is never ourfriend—we never welcome it. Even when death stops the suffering of aloved one, deep down, we would rather that they be alive withoutsuffering.What is death?The Bible teaches that death is not annihilation in which we cease to exist.Instead, the Scriptures teach that death is the separation of our eternalsoul from our mortal bodies. Our bodies rest in the grave, awaiting thefinal day when soul and body shall be reunited. At the moment of death,our souls, and the souls of all those who die in the faith, are immediatelyin the presence of Christ.Is death natural?It is easy to think of death as a natural part of life. However, death is notnatural. We were never created for the purpose of death. Instead, death isa horrible reality. It is the enemy we each face at the end of our lives.Death is a result of sin—the awful curse that fell on creation through thesin of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Therefore, death is never ourfriend—we never welcome it. Even when death stops the suffering of aloved one, deep down, we would rather that they be alive withoutsuffering.33
What is the Christian’s response to death and dying?"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil."What is the Christian’s response to death and dying?"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,I will fear no evil."These familiar words of Psalm 23 give guidance to Christians facing thereality of death. Here God identifies our greatest enemy in suchtimes — fear. Since none of us among the living has ever experienceddeath, we respond to the prospect of death (whether our own or that ofsomeone we love) with fear.Now, if fear is the enemy, who is our ally? The Psalmist continues:These familiar words of Psalm 23 give guidance to Christians facing thereality of death. Here God identifies our greatest enemy in suchtimes — fear. Since none of us among the living has ever experienceddeath, we respond to the prospect of death (whether our own or that ofsomeone we love) with fear.Now, if fear is the enemy, who is our ally? The Psalmist continues:"For thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.""For thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me."Jesus, our Good Shepherd, the One who laid down His life for the sheep, isour companion on the dark, winding road that leads through the valley ofthe shadow of death.Sooner or later, each of us, no matter how old or young, will walk throughthe valley of death. But here is the important part: we walk through thevalley with the One who is with us in that journey. We walk with One wholeads us on, One who tasted death Himself but was raised from the dead.And so, all who believe and are baptized will be saved; they have victoryover death because Jesus was victorious over death. Christians, therefore,are able to see death not merely as an unfortunate reality to be enduredbut as a defeated enemy. The resurrection of the body and eternal life area certain reality promised to those resting in the accomplished work ofJesus.What happens after we die?For unbelievers, there is the "second death" (Revelation 20:14) in whichtheir souls are immediately in the presence of Satan and immediatelybegin to suffer the torment of eternal punishment in hell, from which thereis no possibility of escape. On the day of judgment, their bodies join theirsouls where the Bible says there will be 'gnashing of teeth."Those who trust in the redemption won by Christ, though, pass from deathto life. This is why the Bible uses so many comforting images to describethe death of a Christian. Here are some of the phrases: departure in peace;being with Christ; a turning away from the evil to come; sleep; rest; passingfrom death to life; deliverance from all evil; and, finally, "gain."Jesus, our Good Shepherd, the One who laid down His life for the sheep, isour companion on the dark, winding road that leads through the valley ofthe shadow of death.Sooner or later, each of us, no matter how old or young, will walk throughthe valley of death. But here is the important part: we walk through thevalley with the One who is with us in that journey. We walk with One wholeads us on, One who tasted death Himself but was raised from the dead.And so, all who believe and are baptized will be saved; they have victoryover death because Jesus was victorious over death. Christians, therefore,are able to see death not merely as an unfortunate reality to be enduredbut as a defeated enemy. The resurrection of the body and eternal life area certain reality promised to those resting in the accomplished work ofJesus.What happens after we die?For unbelievers, there is the "second death" (Revelation 20:14) in whichtheir souls are immediately in the presence of Satan and immediatelybegin to suffer the torment of eternal punishment in hell, from which thereis no possibility of escape. On the day of judgment, their bodies join theirsouls where the Bible says there will be 'gnashing of teeth."Those who trust in the redemption won by Christ, though, pass from deathto life. This is why the Bible uses so many comforting images to describethe death of a Christian. Here are some of the phrases: departure in peace;being with Christ; a turning away from the evil to come; sleep; rest; passingfrom death to life; deliverance from all evil; and, finally, "gain."44
Gain? How can death be gain? When a baptized child of God passesthrough death, the Christian leaves this vale of tears and passes into aneternity of joy and peace with God almighty.Each Christian, therefore, may rejoice in the life that Christ has won. Eventhough death stings, the Christian can rejoice knowing that the departedin the faith await the final consummation of all things where they willreceive glorified bodies that are free from tears, pain, sickness, and age.In these new and glorified bodies, Christians shall spend all eternity inheaven, enjoying the presence of God and all the His saints, forever andever. The overwhelming joy of this truth is almost too much for us to evenbegin to comprehend, but it is true!How do Christians face death?Christians face death as they face life, with their eyes fixed firmly on Jesus.We cling to the promises of His Word in good times and especially thevalley of tears. One of the most beautiful promises our Lord gave to us isfound in John 14:2-3, where He says, "In my Father's house are manyrooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a placefor you? And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again andwill take you to myself, that where I am you may also be."We realize that no matter how our lives may end, there is one thing ofwhich we can be absolutely certain. We shall pass from death to life, fromthis life to the life beyond, with our Lord. And there we shall rejoin all ourloved ones and others who have gone before us, trusting in Christ.Gain? How can death be gain? When a baptized child of God passesthrough death, the Christian leaves this vale of tears and passes into aneternity of joy and peace with God almighty.Each Christian, therefore, may rejoice in the life that Christ has won. Eventhough death stings, the Christian can rejoice knowing that the departedin the faith await the final consummation of all things where they willreceive glorified bodies that are free from tears, pain, sickness, and age.In these new and glorified bodies, Christians shall spend all eternity inheaven, enjoying the presence of God and all the His saints, forever andever. The overwhelming joy of this truth is almost too much for us to evenbegin to comprehend, but it is true!How do Christians face death?Christians face death as they face life, with their eyes fixed firmly on Jesus.We cling to the promises of His Word in good times and especially thevalley of tears. One of the most beautiful promises our Lord gave to us isfound in John 14:2-3, where He says, "In my Father's house are manyrooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a placefor you? And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again andwill take you to myself, that where I am you may also be."We realize that no matter how our lives may end, there is one thing ofwhich we can be absolutely certain. We shall pass from death to life, fromthis life to the life beyond, with our Lord. And there we shall rejoin all ourloved ones and others who have gone before us, trusting in Christ.How does the Christian deal with grief?Lazarus was a friend of Jesus. No, he was more than just a casual friend; hewas like a brother to Jesus. Lazarus had died, and as Jesus approached thetomb of Lazarus, we hear that Jesus wept and was deeply moved; that is tosay, He was angry and sorrowful with death.But why the tears from Jesus? Jesus had sorrow, and He shed tears in asilent manner because He had witnessed the effects of the wretched anddeadly grip of sin on mankind.Not only did our Gospel reading say that Jesus wept over death, but it alsosaid that He was 'deeply moved.' Otherwise stated, as Jesus approachedthe tomb of Lazarus, He not only wept but He 'snorted at death.' In aliteral sense, he was 'ticked off' with death. He grunted at death, He wasHow does the Christian deal with grief?Lazarus was a friend of Jesus. No, he was more than just a casual friend; hewas like a brother to Jesus. Lazarus had died, and as Jesus approached thetomb of Lazarus, we hear that Jesus wept and was deeply moved; that is tosay, He was angry and sorrowful with death.But why the tears from Jesus? Jesus had sorrow, and He shed tears in asilent manner because He had witnessed the effects of the wretched anddeadly grip of sin on mankind.Not only did our Gospel reading say that Jesus wept over death, but it alsosaid that He was 'deeply moved.' Otherwise stated, as Jesus approachedthe tomb of Lazarus, He not only wept but He 'snorted at death.' In aliteral sense, he was 'ticked off' with death. He grunted at death, He was55
disgusted at death, He sighed at death, He mumbled in anger towardsdeath, and He expressed hatred and anger towards the tomb of Lazarus.And so, it is proper to weep and anger at death, for Jesus wept andangered as well. Indeed, when we anger and shake our fists at death andcry out in pain, we have a Savior who angered at death too. When wepunch at death or weep over death, we have a Savior that understands us.When we grind our teeth, or we want to collapse inward on ourselves,Christ knows, for He angered and wept as well.While our emotions are limited, Jesus' weeping and anger moved Himright to the center of the jaws of death and the sting of sin. Otherwisestated, His tears led Him to the lair of death and a collision with sin. Thereat the cross of Mt. Calvary, the Son of God was not some sort ofsissy-mansy-pansy Savior; He was not a victim that we should feel sorryfor. No, His tears and anger led Him to do that which we could not do toconfront sin and death on our behalf.Do our loved ones become angels?Well-intentioned people often say that we humans become angels whenwe die. However, we human beings are 'greater' than the angels. Keep inmind that God created angels to be messengers and His servants to waiton Him and to look after us. They are spirit beings without bodies. Wehumans, though, were created with bodies. Our Lord and Savior came inthe flesh of our bodies to redeem both our soul and bodies to live foreveras they were meant to be. We do not die to become something less thanwhat we were created to be.Do our loved ones look down from heaven and see us?Again, this is a common false thought and belief. The Bible says thatChristians have no more tears, pain, or sorrows. And so, it is difficult toassume that they would be looking down on this earth with all of itssadness, sin, and troubles.Do our loved ones talk to us after they die?Once again, this is a common false thought. Our loved ones do notcommunicate to us from heaven, and they certainly do not live amongst usin this world of sadness, sin, and troubles. Their souls are in paradise,which is good, while they await the glorious resurrection of their renewedbodies.disgusted at death, He sighed at death, He mumbled in anger towardsdeath, and He expressed hatred and anger towards the tomb of Lazarus.And so, it is proper to weep and anger at death, for Jesus wept andangered as well. Indeed, when we anger and shake our fists at death andcry out in pain, we have a Savior who angered at death too. When wepunch at death or weep over death, we have a Savior that understands us.When we grind our teeth, or we want to collapse inward on ourselves,Christ knows, for He angered and wept as well.While our emotions are limited, Jesus' weeping and anger moved Himright to the center of the jaws of death and the sting of sin. Otherwisestated, His tears led Him to the lair of death and a collision with sin. Thereat the cross of Mt. Calvary, the Son of God was not some sort ofsissy-mansy-pansy Savior; He was not a victim that we should feel sorryfor. No, His tears and anger led Him to do that which we could not do toconfront sin and death on our behalf.Do our loved ones become angels?Well-intentioned people often say that we humans become angels whenwe die. However, we human beings are 'greater' than the angels. Keep inmind that God created angels to be messengers and His servants to waiton Him and to look after us. They are spirit beings without bodies. Wehumans, though, were created with bodies. Our Lord and Savior came inthe flesh of our bodies to redeem both our soul and bodies to live foreveras they were meant to be. We do not die to become something less thanwhat we were created to be.Do our loved ones look down from heaven and see us?Again, this is a common false thought and belief. The Bible says thatChristians have no more tears, pain, or sorrows. And so, it is difficult toassume that they would be looking down on this earth with all of itssadness, sin, and troubles.Do our loved ones talk to us after they die?Once again, this is a common false thought. Our loved ones do notcommunicate to us from heaven, and they certainly do not live amongst usin this world of sadness, sin, and troubles. Their souls are in paradise,which is good, while they await the glorious resurrection of their renewedbodies.66
T THE FUNERAL SERVICE TT THE FUNERAL SERVICE TThe Funeral Service is intended for the burial of those who departed thislife in the Christian faith.The Funeral Service is intended for the burial of those who departed thislife in the Christian faith.The death of a member of the church should be reported immediately tothe pastor. No arrangements should be made without consultation withhim.The death of a member of the church should be reported immediately tothe pastor. No arrangements should be made without consultation withhim.Whenever possible, the Funeral Service of Baptized members is conductedat the church.Whenever possible, the Funeral Service of Baptized members is conductedat the church.Hymns and music in the Funeral Service should reflect Christianconfidence, trust, and hope in the resurrection of the body and the lifeeverlasting.Hymns and music in the Funeral Service should reflect Christianconfidence, trust, and hope in the resurrection of the body and the lifeeverlasting.A eulogy is not in the best Christian tradition. An obituary may be readwhich focuses on the Gospel promise of salvation by grace alone throughfaith alone in Christ our Lord and not on the good deeds of the deceased.A eulogy is not in the best Christian tradition. An obituary may be readwhich focuses on the Gospel promise of salvation by grace alone throughfaith alone in Christ our Lord and not on the good deeds of the deceased.Can family members participate in the church service with specialreadings?Can family members participate in the church service with specialreadings?77Funerals at St. Paul's are Christian Church Services. They are intended to confessthe hope of Christ to those still in life's pilgrimage. It is difficult, though, toconduct a Christian Funeral for a deceased non-Christian. Furthermore, it isdifficult to change a Christian Funeral to accommodate to deceasednon-Christians or worldly customs. (Note: This does not mean that the pastorwould not make accommodations at the Funeral Home to aid and assist afamily.)Death is meant to stop everything in our lives to remind us that it could be usnext. Death stops most everything in the church - with the exception ofprescheduled weddings and/or large events, Holy Week, and regularly routineDivine Services.The church is the place where God's children are baptized, confirmed, married,communed, and buried. It is the safe ark where the Lord keeps His children untillife's end.Due to Copyright Laws and LCMS Doctrinal Conditions, only hymns from the"Lutheran Service Book" may be used for congregational hymns at St. Paul'sLutheran Church. Exceptions may be made by the pastor for special music songs.Upon request, the pastor and church administrator can help create an obituaryfor the service to be read by the pastor during the service.Families are invited to participate in the funeral services from the pew throughtheir prayers, confession of faith, singing, grief, etc. At St. Paul's, the services areconducted by clergy only for the purpose of letting family and friends receive thecomforting message of the hope of the resurrection.Funerals at St. Paul's are Christian Church Services. They are intended to confessthe hope of Christ to those still in life's pilgrimage. It is difficult, though, toconduct a Christian Funeral for a deceased non-Christian. Furthermore, it isdifficult to change a Christian Funeral to accommodate to deceasednon-Christians or worldly customs. (Note: This does not mean that the pastorwould not make accommodations at the Funeral Home to aid and assist afamily.)Death is meant to stop everything in our lives to remind us that it could be usnext. Death stops most everything in the church - with the exception ofprescheduled weddings and/or large events, Holy Week, and regularly routineDivine Services.The church is the place where God's children are baptized, confirmed, married,communed, and buried. It is the safe ark where the Lord keeps His children untillife's end.Due to Copyright Laws and LCMS Doctrinal Conditions, only hymns from the"Lutheran Service Book" may be used for congregational hymns at St. Paul'sLutheran Church. Exceptions may be made by the pastor for special music songs.Upon request, the pastor and church administrator can help create an obituaryfor the service to be read by the pastor during the service.Families are invited to participate in the funeral services from the pew throughtheir prayers, confession of faith, singing, grief, etc. At St. Paul's, the services areconducted by clergy only for the purpose of letting family and friends receive thecomforting message of the hope of the resurrection.
Additional Comments:The liturgical colors for funerals are the colors of the church season.Floral arrangements should be fresh cut.Cremation?Among Christians, burial has long been the accepted practice, as it was forthe Jews. The Jews didn't burn the bodies of their dead. In their practice,the bodies were washed, anointed with spices, wrapped, and entombedwithin a period of 24 hours. Bodies matter to God, for our mortal bodieswill be raised incorruptible.Even Christians have never universally condemned cremation, and eventhough cremation has been common during wars or plagues due to thedanger of disease or contamination, Christian burial is still highlysuggested. The reason for the encouragement of a burial with a body isthat a physical body at a funeral helps loved ones process their grief morethan a mere picture. There is something about loved ones seeing aphysical body in a coffin that allows them to accept the reality of deathand work through grief, more so than a picture in a frame. Touching thephysical body, stroking the shoulder of the body, kissing the deceased,saying goodbye, and closing the casket are all forms of grief – letting goand accepting the reality of death.Additional Comments:The liturgical colors for funerals are the colors of the church season.Floral arrangements should be fresh cut.Cremation?Among Christians, burial has long been the accepted practice, as it was forthe Jews. The Jews didn't burn the bodies of their dead. In their practice,the bodies were washed, anointed with spices, wrapped, and entombedwithin a period of 24 hours. Bodies matter to God, for our mortal bodieswill be raised incorruptible.Even Christians have never universally condemned cremation, and eventhough cremation has been common during wars or plagues due to thedanger of disease or contamination, Christian burial is still highlysuggested. The reason for the encouragement of a burial with a body isthat a physical body at a funeral helps loved ones process their grief morethan a mere picture. There is something about loved ones seeing aphysical body in a coffin that allows them to accept the reality of deathand work through grief, more so than a picture in a frame. Touching thephysical body, stroking the shoulder of the body, kissing the deceased,saying goodbye, and closing the casket are all forms of grief – letting goand accepting the reality of death.So, is it wrong for a Christian to choose cremation?"Yes." and "No."So, is it wrong for a Christian to choose cremation?"Yes." and "No.""Yes" if it is done solely to 'save money for more inheritance money.""No" if this is all one can afford."Yes" if it is done solely to 'save money for more inheritance money.""No" if this is all one can afford."Yes," if this is what you want, but your family is uncomfortable with it,and they would prefer burial."No" if this is what you want and it has been discussed with your family."Yes," if this is what y
T WHAT ABOUT DEATH AND DYING? T What is death? The Bible teaches that death is not annihilation in which we cease to exist. Instead, the Scriptures teach that death is the separation of our eternal soul from our mortal bodies. Our bodies rest in the grave, awaiting the final day when soul and body shall be reunited. At the moment of death,
