Kerygmatic
A good funeral, whatever else it may do, tells the kerygma, the gospel story. The funeral is bold to proclaim that, though it may appear that death has claimed yet another victim, the truth is that the one who has died has been raised to new life in Christ and is now gathered with the saints in communion with God. The kerygma proclaimed at a funeral is, of course, the same gospel announced every Sunday. This gospel is the assurance that death has been destroyed by the death and resurrection of Jesus. But there is a very personal quality to the kerygma at a funeral. Here we are given the comforting news that the risen Christ stands with us and for us, the Christ who promises that persons and relationships will not be eradicated by death. 19
