The Funeral Service:
A Service of Witness to the Resurrection

Christians through the years have expressed what they believe about death, and life after death, through the care they have shown for their dead.

From the beginning Christians buried their dead believing in the redemption that their baptism into Jesus' death and resurrection promised. (see Romans 6:3-7)

A Christian funeral service helps those who are alive to come to terms with the death of the person who has died. It does that in several ways:

1. It holds before us the stark reality of death.
   While we try to forget our mortality, death reminds us that life is finite, and encourages us to live our lives well.
2. It helps us to remember and to honour the person who has died, and in telling stories of their life, we are helped to come to terms with the fact that their life has ended.
3. It holds before us the promises of God, the Christian belief in the resurrection, of life in Christ beyond this time and age.
4. In a funeral service we commend the person who has died into the loving care of God.

If you are struggling with the loss of someone who has been close to you, you may contact our Minister. You may also find it helpful to read the pamphlet on grief called Handling Grief.