When we experience the death of someone we love, a funeral service fills several important needs. First, it provides for the dignified and respectful care of the person and special tribute to their life. Among its purposes, it makes us acknowledge the death, remember the life and activate support during this naturally difficult time.
Equally important, the funeral service helps survivors face the reality of death, which is the first big step toward taking grief from the inside and allowing us to express it on the outside through mourning. Together, close friends and relatives can lend support and consolation when they’re needed most.
A funeral gives friends and relatives an opportunity to express the love and respect they feel for someone who was important to them. Often, just seeing how much others care can be a tremendous help to a family in adjusting to their loss.
Since the Beginning of Time
For thousands of years, funerals have been a means of expressing our beliefs, thoughts and feelings about the death of someone we love.
The funeral ceremony:
- Helps us acknowledge that someone we love has died
- Allows us to say goodbye
- Provides a support system for us, friends, family members and our community
- Allows us to reflect on the meaning of life and death
- Offers continuity and hope for the living
Grief Share is a grief recovery support group. Elam has offered this help in the past and will continue to do so again when the need arises. In the meantime, go to: www.griefshare.com to find a group near you.
“Our earthly bodies are put in the ground when we die, but they will be raised to live forever. Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength. They are buried as natural human bodies, but they will be raised as spiritual bodies. For just as there are natural bodies, there are also spiritual bodies.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:42-57