Funeral Practices: Then And Now

Funeral Practices, Then And Now

Solomon, who researched all facets of wisdom and was inspired to write three books of the Bible, wrote this: “Better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for that is the end of all men; and the living will take it to heart” (Eccl. 7:2). Death is a powerful preacher, whose doings leave an indelible impression on relatives and friends of the deceased. While funeral practices were not uniform in Scripture, God’s Word generally emphasizes mourning rather than ceremony being associated with death and burial.

Abraham is the first person presented in Scripture in connection with a funeral. He loved and missed Sarah, his wife of many years. Genesis 23:2 tells us that he came to mourn for her. Then as a foreigner and visitor among the people of Canaan, he requested permission to buy “property for a burial place ... that I may bury my dead out of my sight.” Abraham and Isaac were each buried by their sons. Jacob’s funeral (Gen. 50:7-14) impressed the Canaanites who witnessed “a great and very solemn lamentation.”

King Asa of Judah was buried “in his own tomb ... in the bed which was filled with spices and various ingredients prepared in a mixture of ointments. They made a great burning for him” (2 Chr. 16:14). On the other hand, when wicked King Jehoram died, “his people made no burning for him, like the burning for his fathers” (2 Chr. 21:19). These burnings may well indicate that certain ceremonies were associated with the burial of kings.

After He was taken down from the cross, our blessed Lord Jesus was buried quickly but honorably by two men who up till then had only been secret followers of Him – Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus. Later, several women who had followed Him from Galilee came with spices they had prepared, but they were too late, for He had risen from the dead.

Ananias and Sapphira were each buried unceremoniously immediately after they had died. Sapphira had not even been informed of her husband’s death and burial three hours earlier (Acts 5:5-10). On the other hand, “devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him” (Acts 8:2).

Morticians today pride themselves in how painless and sanitary they can make death and funerals. Notwithstanding, the great resurrection chapter, 1 Corinthians 15:51-58 shows us that death still has its sting today. We Christians, however, are looking forward to the time when death shall be swallowed up in victory. The apostle concludes that passage with, “Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Coming back to the verse in Ecclesiastes, we see that God intends the living to take death to heart. A funeral is an unparalleled opportunity for the gospel. People who might never be confronted with the gospel are often present at a funeral, listening to what is said. Rather than only reading through a prescribed ritual, or concentrating on the deceased’s achievements, this is a good tome also to present Christ.

Christians should rejoice to have their Savior presented at their funeral. Isn’t it striking to see the rich man in torments (Lk. 16:19-31) begging to have Lazarus warn his brothers, so they would not come to the same place he was in? We gather from this that every sinner in the place of torments would want the gospel preached at his funeral to keep his friends and loved ones from hell.

Whether the person being buried is a believer or not, preach the gospel. Present the Savior’s love and work. Make the way of salvation clear! When a Christian dies, the fact that he is with the Lord can surely be set forth with joy. The Lord’s coming, too, is great consolation to believers. Honor can certainly be given to whom honor is due – but to whom is more honor due than to our Lord!

The fact that the deceased unbeliever is in eternal torment does not need to be emphasized. This would be cruel and would not draw his survivors to the Lord. They need comfort and love. Our Lord’s weeping at Lazarus’ grave impressed bystanders with His love. But it is dishonest for one conducting the funeral to say that the deceased unbeliever is now better off and in heaven. Rather than say much about the deceased, present Christ! This is always appropriate and can do far more good to those mourning the loss of a loved one.

A Christian’s death should be a triumph of God’s grace. Where the final portion of his life has been a good testimony, his funeral can be celebrated as a victory. But avoid mere empty ceremony. Instead, present Christ!

By Eugene P. Vedder, Jr.