funeral | Christian Library

What Are Three Ways for a Pastor to Prepare His Heart before Conducting a Funeral?

The author offers three very practical suggestions for pastors who are called upon to conduct a funeral: prepare for the unexpected, prepare to minister God's Word, and prepare to extend the hope of Christ.

Funeral Rituals

This article compares a church funeral with a non-church funeral.

Pastoring the Dying and the Mourning

Pastors and elders have to visit the dying. This article shares guidelines on pastoring the dying and the mourning. It explains the need for visitation and how it should be done. The author also discusses how to conduct the funeral and comfort the family after the funeral. Essential to this is the ability of the elders and minister to point to Christ as the true Comforter.

Start Planning Your Own Funeral

This article shows from Scripture that one of the ways that the ancients sought after wisdom for life was by thinking about death. Scripture teaches us to number our days, and that it is better to go to the house of mourning than to the house of feasting. Thus, the author speaks about the benefits of starting to plan already now for your funeral.

The Stings of Death: An Article Not Just for Old People

Death brings its own sting to those left behind, yet such a sting is intensified by practical, earthly matters related to death. This article highlights three areas where you can reduce the sting from your family and church community, so that those you leave behind will be more able to mourn in peace. What are those areas? Make plans with your local funeral home and cemetery, talk with your pastor about your funeral, and take the time to write out a will.

Preaching the Funeral of an Unbeliever

Preaching at the funeral of someone who was almost surely an unbeliever is very difficult. This article offers a few things worth considering if you are given such an opportunity: talk about the fall, death, and judgment, exalt Christ, hold out the hope of the resurrection, emphasize the role of faith, and stay away from eulogizing.

Seven Tips for Preaching a Stranger’s Funeral

One of the challenges for most pastors is to conduct a funeral service for someone you do not know. How do you do that? This article offers seven tips for conducting such a funeral service.

I Forbid You to Say These Things at My Funeral

What do you want people to say about you at your funeral? Maybe it is also worthwhile to say what you do not want people to say at your funeral. This article explores the latter.

5 Marks of a Good Funeral

Is there such a thing as a good funeral? This article argues that there must be one, and such a funeral is marked by five things.

Changes at the House of Mourning

Funeral services can be daunting at times. This articles sheds some light on this topic. It calls for simplicity in a funeral service, showing how one can be Christ-centred.

Is Christian Burial Going Underground?

This article is an appeal to Christians to see death and the funeral in light of Christ's victory. In this way the funeral service will be a declaration of Christ's victory and a witness to his compassion.

Burial or Cremation for Christians? A Biblical Pattern for Funerals - The Body and Soul and Their Ultimate Destination

Burial or cremation? This book discusses funeral practices, arguing that burial is the preferable option. In this chapter, the author explains that burial fits better with a Christian understanding of death and the relationship between body and soul. In addition, burial is in line with biblical practice.

Changes at the House of Mourning

Does God's word tell us anything about holding a funeral service? This article shows that the funeral service should keep God at the centre, should glory in God's work through the dead, and should include a focus on the gospel.

Funeral Practices

This article discusses funeral practices and burial customs.

Walking Together Through the Valley

What is important to know if you want to help someone who has lost a loved one? Giving pastoral help as a friend or office bearer to people who grief is not always easy. This article shows what is important when guiding someone on the journey of grief. Death and the burial of our fellow believers is discussed, as well as the importance of our faith in planning a funeral.