Funerals

I've just come from my second Funeral this week, and the fifth in just over two weeks. That's a larger number than usual, the average in my Parish being about one Funeral every six weeks. Of course, there is a lot of fluctuation, and this past fortnight has been unusually busy. It underlines for me something that I became very conscious of early in my ministry. And that is, how much Ministers of the Word are managers of death. That may seem morbid, but it is not intended to be. Ministering to the dying, ministering to the grieving, preparing and conducting Funerals, it is all a part of ministry, and it is a real privilege. It is one of the most important aspects of serving God's people in the church. Being Anglican, and especially so in a small rural community, Funerals are a steady, in some situations and at certain times, a frequent part of the role.

Today's Funeral was for a fine Christian woman who died aged 95. Not a tragic situation, yet there was very real sorry and grief, because she was much loved and will be much missed. But there was much rejoicing, for she lived and died in faith, faith in the Lord Jesus. One can speak unambiguously of her resting with the Lord until the great day of resurrection.

The Funeral two days ago was a man of 79 who was not a churchgoer and made no profession of Christian faith. Yet his siblings are active members of one of the congregations of my Parish. We commended him to God, knowing that he is infinitely merciful, loving and just. It is indeed God who will be the Judge of us all, and it is good to leave that job to him.

Yet as I reflect on these two Services, the message I preached was essentially the same, even if I could be a little more explicit and confident about the lady today. Grieving relatives need to hear of Christ's presence and strength, his peace and compassion. All need to be pointed to the Saviour, to the One who has conquered death by his resurrection. The Christian hope was held out to them, hopefully with simplicity and clarity, the hope we have in Christ. When I say that the message was the same, what I strive not to do is simply pull out a stock funeral sermon. I know other clergy who do that, and it seems too much like shortchanging the congregation. It doesn't seem to show the right level of respect. And in a rural community such a practice quickly becomes known, potentially damaging the credibility of the minister.

It is indeed a privilege to conduct Funeral Services, they are a vital part of ministry.

Peter McKeague