Educational
The funeral is educational in two directions. First, it allows the church to participate once again in the ancient Easter drama, and we learn the script and our roles all over again. We discover anew who we are as Christians, the nature of our hope, the destination of the dead, and the power of the resurrection. The funeral is also an occasion for education on behalf of the guests in the household of God. Many funeral congregations include those who are not Christians, or at least who are not usually a part of the worshiping community, and the funeral can be an occasion for the biblical practice of showing hospitality to the stranger. These visitors are invited to get up on stage and read parts in a play with which they are not familiar. Sometimes a pastor can welcome participation with a simple and brief word of explanation—“The reason why we pray this prayer is …”
