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What is the purpose of a funeral? Is it to pay homage to a loved one who has passed, or is it the proper place to preach a sermon? Should those in attendance be subjected to constant “advertisements” for whatever religion the deceased’s relative’s chosen official adheres to or should the service be about the deceased’s life? With proper mention of his or her faith and contribution to the congregation they were part of as a portion of the service but in its proper place and form, in other words, not the whole thing.
Recently an old family friend passed and I attended the funeral out of respect for the deceased and to support the family as a whole. Sitting in the chapel, listening to the minister chosen to preside over the service, I felt like I was in church being propositioned to come forward and confess and it was not a soft sell either.
Expecting to hear of my friend’s life and the things that he did to help others and how he lived and respected others for their abilities and how he supported his children and other family members through hard times and good, I was sorely disappointed. Barely a mention of his life, nearly the entire “sermon” was about Jesus Christ and becoming a Christian and how it was such a benefit and this and that and whatnot and even where to go. Not what I expected nor did I appreciate it either.
When I go to a funeral, I expect to hear about the person who died not about how to become a Christian or any other religious adherent. That is not the reason we have or attend funerals. That is what you go to church services for.
Have no fear, my plans are already set, after they collect my ashes from the crematorium, there will be a party to launch my remains into the sky to float down over the family property and replenish the earth below. There won’t be a “sermon”, maybe a few words will be said but they will be about me because this is my funeral and not a place or the time for preaching.