This truth is sobering. Death was not a part of God’s original design or good purposes for his creation, but came into the world as a result of the fall, because of the brokenness of the world due to sin (Genesis 3). Even Jesus wept in the face of death at the tomb of his friend Lazarus (John 11:35).
Yet in that same story, Jesus also told Mary, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die” (John 11:25 NIV). Because of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, we have confidence that he has defeated death, that those in Christ are in his eternal presence, and that one day we too will be raised to life immortal. We grieve, but we grieve as those with hope.
Funeral and memorial services are services of Christian worship. These services provide space for mourners to grieve and remember the person they love who has passed away. Such a service is a helpful part of the grieving process for those who mourn. These services are also occasions to proclaim the hope of the gospel, to remind each other of the certainty that one day, our faith will be made sight and we will experience resurrection, and to remember the promise that one day, God will wipe away every tear from our eyes.
If you’re visiting this page, you may be in a stage where you are thinking about your own death and in the process of making arrangements, or perhaps you are helping a loved one make plans, or perhaps you are working through making arrangements for a loved one who has passed away. Know that whatever season you may be in, our church is here to support you and to walk with you in the days to come.