The funeral service for my Mom proved more difficult than my sister, Diane, and I had anticipated. There were more details to cover with the funeral home than we had anticipated. Besides notifying relatives and friends, there were details to manage we had not given much thought such as Mom's insurance policy, locating the paper work on her burial plot, a burial dress, choosing a casket, and more.
When a Christian fears death he is being irrational. A Christian's belief in the deity of Christ eliminates his fear of death. Jesus didn't mince any words when it came to proclaiming that he was divine. The Jewish leaders came to him and asked, "Who do you think you are?" (John 8:53) "Aren't we right in saying that you are a Samaritan and demon-possessed?" Calling Jesus a Samaritan was the equivalent of using the "N" word in today's culture. Jesus was willing to risk his life to tell them the truth.
To explain: the Jewish mentality two thousand years ago, and quite possibly still today, emphasised the importance of family, and especially valued its spread and prosperity - 'go forth and multiply'. In particular, God's blessing was directly linked to the growth of the family, and happy the man who had many offspring, and of course, importantly, many sons. Plenty sons were the clearest indicator that the family name would continue and prosper. This poor woman had suffered a compound tragedy and was doubly cursed (by God): her husband being dead, she could have no more sons, and now her only son had died, meaning that her family line was finished. Her life was as good as over. God had abandoned her - total disaster, with no hope of any resolution.
I don't remember the passing of Malcolm X as vividly (February, 1965); nor do I remember much about the war in Vietnam - except that I changed the channel when the news footage came on TV.
Suits and dresses are the preferred attire. You are going to a funeral to pay your respects to the family and the deceased, so taking the time to dress up and follow proper funeral etiquette is a way that you can outwardly show the family what their loved one meant to you. For men, a suit and tie are great and women can either wear a black dress or skirt or a pantsuit.
The musicians found a plane they could charter and a pilot, Roger Peterson. The plane was a Beechcraft Bonanza, a single engine aircraft with three passenger seats. Holly and Waylon Jennings had two of the original seats but The Big Bopper, having grown ill, asked Jennings to give him his seat. Jennings obliged.
Is there a reality beyond death? Edgar Cayce and Rudolph Steiner believe there is a realm beyond the gates of death.While on earth, our reality is outwards. We clutter our lives, we develop attitudes that can be harmful. We stay further away from an inner reality, a spiritual perspective. Upon death, as the soul leaves the physical body, it reflects on the physical realm inwardly. These are the memories, relationships, activities and the clutter stored within which seem prominent at the first stage of dying.
"In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses according to the riches of his grace" (Ephesians 1:7). And God's grace is full of riches. His grace is entirely free. God's grace is not a response of our worth because we are not worthy but only deserve wrath. Yet, God's grace is not a response of our unworthiness. God gave us grace because He chose. He loved us because He loved us.
funeral program
funeral program