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Responding to Pandemic: Giving Up the Christian Funeral

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It isn’t news to anyone that the Church has given up many things during the COVID-19 pandemic. In hindsight rather than trusting in the Lord our God and submitting ourselves to his Law, we bowed instead to the false god of “worldly authority.” The “Romans 13” argument became the new “Matthew 18.” It isn’t that either of those are bad proofs, but they are often used without having to do with the situation at hand.

One thing that we gave up that particularly bothers me is the Christian funeral. Funeral homes have their own guidelines that they must follow according to the state, but they are much too quick to call the shots and even go so far as to speak on behalf of the Pastor or the congregation when they have no grounds to do so. One of these businesses in my area is quick to offer the “bells and whistles” of catering for the family, jewelry emblazoned with your loved one’s fingerprint or cremains, and other such things which are only designed as “money makers,” while dismissing the actual service of making arrangements for the funeral! Going to the funeral home used to be about preparing the body for burial and making arrangements for the funeral, but the Christian funeral is dismissed altogether in these days. It is seen as “irresponsible” because of the gathering of people together. The directors will say, “We will do a graveside service now, and then later you can get with your Pastor to do a formal ‘celebration of life’ service.” This is absolutely reprehensible and robs family, loved ones, and friends of the comfort that only God’s Word can provide. It is also the major thing lacking when people gather for a “celebration of life.”

Consider this plea to be twofold. The first is for pastors to actually be present at the funeral home in preparing with the family. As a matter of fact, visit the businesses now and make clear your expectations when deaths do occur. While we don’t need to make enemies with the funeral directors of our towns and cities, the people they serve are not the sheep entrusted to them. They are yours, and it is your duty to not leave them even in death.

The second plea extends beyond pastors to each of you. It’s far beyond time to repent and return to the Word. In the days of old when plague or pestilence would befall us, repentance was the first item on the docket. Submitted for approval is “Exhibit A.” Compare the Collect for a Time of Great Sickness in TLH (above) with the prayers provided for us to pray in these days. You’ll be shocked! (Again, it isn’t that they’re bad, but repentance is hardly the goal.) In addition, we have bought the lie that things “virtual” are good enough. Disembodied relationships lead to disaster and discomfort. Take whatever precaution you think is necessary, but we need to be together. It is not good for man to be alone (Genesis 2:18), remember? Death magnifies the realization that the sheep need to be gathered. Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise.

John Bussman1 Comment