How to Have a Great Funeral

I attended a funeral this past weekend. It was a great funeral, really great.

And no, “great funeral” isn’t an oxymoron.

The mother of a good friend died of Alzheimer’s. As you know, Alzheimer’s is a terrible disease. It robbed this woman of many years of her life and made her last seven years extremely difficult for her and her family.

And yet, there we were–singing, story-telling and laughing for the better part of 2 hours. I actually left feeling encouraged.

The family even had a Happy Hour at a nearby restaurant, after the funeral, for more story-telling and laughing. Like I said, great funeral.

No, that isn’t strange and no, we’re not all in denial.  This sweet family and those of us who attended the service are all fully aware of the magnitude of this loss and the suffering that preceded it.

But there was an undeniable backdrop to the entire event–peace. Even through the tears and obvious grief that was shared by this family, they communicated an overwhelming sense of peace.

What is peace? It’s an unearthly calm in the midst of chaos. It’s the quiet confidence that flows from a hope that isn’t connected to any part of this world. It’s a steadiness that supersedes earthly circumstances.

This family was immersed peace.

The difference? They knew that the funeral wasn’t the end of the story. They knew that this great lady who had died way too early for their liking was tucked safely in the arms of Jesus in Heaven. They knew that she was actually more alive and more whole they any of us are. They knew, because of Jesus’ resurrection, that death hadn’t won the day. And, they knew that they’d see this amazing wife, mother, grandmother and matriarch again . . . . soon.

That’s the difference.

That’s why Paul challenged the church in Thessalonica to remember their hope: But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope, 1 Thessalonians 4:13.

Trust me. I’ve been to many funerals in my life, and I know the difference. Nothing is tougher than a funeral without hope and peace. Nothing is harder to swallow than the realization that death did win the day and that there will be no grand reunions in Heaven. Those kind of funerals are almost too much to bear.

But this one–and countless other funerals I’ve had the privilege of attending–was different. And that difference is eternal.

I hate death. I hate sickness, aging, disease and the indignity they bring to humans. But because of Jesus Christ–his fully obedient life, his sacrificial death and his triumphant resurrection–death and its henchmen do not have the last laugh.

In fact, that last laugh belongs to all of us who know Truth and who eagerly await Heaven. And sometimes you can even hear us laughing at funerals.

Yea God.

 

 

 

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