At the time of death, the Christian community comes together to give thanks to God for the life of the deceased and to celebrate the promise of resurrection to life eternal.  We gather around Word and Sacrament in this time to hear the words of comfort that God has for us in an interweaving of God's story with our story.

Funerals are among the times that we as Christians do the task of the Church the best. We comfort one another in our grief, we gather in community, and we proclaim Christ crucified and risen. A Christian funeral is not a tribute to how wonderful you were, but instead it publicly affirms the saving power of God, as demonstrated in your life. We tell how God’s story interacts with your story. Baptismal imagery is important because it reminds us of God’s saving deeds. As Paul writes in Romans 6:5, “For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.”

In the days following a death, it can often be overwhelming for family members to put the details of a funeral together. Whether it is following a long illness or a surprising accident, your loved ones may wonder what your wishes really were. This worksheet is an opportunity for you to think about these things now, discussing them with your family, friends, and pastor.  You can click here to access this document.  

The pastors are always happy to speak with you about any questions or concerns that you may have in regards to this matter.