Christian Funerals
Photo by Kyle Van Alstyne on Unsplash
It is important to understand that a funeral is a worship service focused on Jesus Christ. While we may have fond memories of our deceased loved ones, we are not gathered together to focus on their favorite hobbies or best character traits. We do not worship the person lying in the casket; rather, we worship the One who died and rose again. The risen Lord Jesus Christ is the center of all worship—especially a funeral—because Jesus’ victory over sin and death is clearly proclaimed. The whole funeral service echoes this truth over and over, reminding us of what Jesus did for us on the Cross, on Easter Sunday, in our Baptism, and by grace through faith in Jesus. The everlasting promises of God are center-stage at the funeral.
Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we shall certainly be united with Him in a resurrection like His. (Rom. 6:3–5 ESV)
Psalms
Psalm 23 The Lord is my shepherd
Psalm 25:1-5, 15-20 Guard my soul and deliver me
Psalm 27 I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord
Psalm 42 Let them bring me to your holy hill
Psalm 46 The Lord of hosts is with us
Psalm 65:1-8 Blessed is the one you choose and bring near
Psalm 90 Satisfy us with your steadfast love
Psalm 118:1-21 This is the gate of the Lord
Psalm 121 My help comes from the Lord
Psalm 130 Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord
Psalm 139 When I awake I am still with you
Psalm 143 For your name’s sake, O Lord, preserve my life
Psalm 146 I will praise the Lord as long as I live
Old Testament Readings
Job 19:21-27 Job confesses his faith in the resurrection
Isaiah 25:6-9 The Lord God will swallow up death forever
Isaiah 26:1-4 Your dead will live
Isaiah 35:3-10 Sorrow and sighing will flee away
Isaiah 40:6-11 He will tend his flock like a shepherd
Isaiah 40:27-31 He gives strength to the weary
Isaiah 43:1-3a, 25 Fear not….you are mine
Isaiah 49:13-16 I will not forget you
Isaiah 61:1-3, 10 To comfort all who mourn
Isaiah 65:17-25 New heavens and a new earth
Lamentations 3:22-33 His compassions never fail
New Testament Readings
Romans 5:1-11 Christ died for us.
Romans 6:3-10 Baptized into Christ’s death and resurrection
Romans 8:31-39 Nothing can separate us from God’s love in Christ
Romans 14:7-9 Whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord
1 Cor. 15:20-26 In Christ all will be made alive
1 Corinthians 15:51-57 Death is swallowed up in victory
2 Corinthians 4:13-18 The one who raised Jesus from the dead will raise us
2 Cor. 5:1-10 Away from the body and at home with the Lord
Ephesians 2:1, 4-10 God made us alive with Christ, by grace
Philippians 3:20-21 Our citizenship is in heaven
Colossians 3:1-4 You have been raised with Christ
1 Thess. 4:13-18 The dead in Christ will rise first
Hebrews 2:14-18 By His death he destroyed death
Hebrews 12:1-3 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus
1 Peter 1:3-9 A living hope through the resurrection of Christ
1 John 3:1-2 We shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is
Revelation 7:9-17 Standing before the throne in front of the Lamb
Revelation 14:13 Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord
Revelation 21:1-7 A new heaven and a new earth
Revelation 22:1-5 The Lord God will be their light
Gospel Readings
Matthew 5:1-12 Blessed are you….
Matthew 11:25-30 Rest for the weary
Mark 10:13-16 Little children are brought to Jesus
Mark 15:33-39; 16:1-6 Jesus’ death and resurrection
Luke 2:25-32 Lord, let your servant to in peace
Luke 2:36-38 Anna spoke to all looking forward to the redemption
Luke 7:11-17 Jesus raises the young man of Nain
Luke 23:44-49; 24:1-6a Jesus’ death and resurrection
John 3:16-18 God so love the world
John 5:24-30 He has passed over from death to life
John 6:27-40 I will raise him up at the last day
John 10:11-16 I am the good shepherd
John 10:27-30 I give them eternal life
John 11:17-27 I am the resurrection and the life
John 14:1-6 I am the way, the truth, and the life
Good news for all who believe in Jesus
For the Christian, death is not the last word. The love of Jesus is stronger than death (John 11:25). Christ’s death and resurrection proclaim that victory belongs to life. Jesus calls His disciples to follow Him through death to life. That journey begins in the death and resurrection that ties to our Baptism and faith in the Risen Savior. The burial rites take the Christian on the last steps of this journey to the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting.
List of hymns/songs for funeral services
Congregational Hymns
- “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”
- “Be Still My Soul”
- “Beautiful Savior”
- “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling”
- “O God Our Help in Ages Past”
- “Rock of Ages, Cleft For Me”
- “The King of Love My Shepherd Is”
- “Just As I Am”
- “Go, My Children, with My Blessing”
- “Amazing Grace”
- “How Great Thou Art”
- “The Old Rugged Cross”
- “Nearer My God to Thee”
- “I Know That My Redeemer Lives”
- “For All the Saints”
- “Abide With Me”
- “My Hope is Built on Nothing Less” LSB #575
- “Lift High the Cross” LSB #837
Contemporary Songs (with congregation)
- “Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)”, by Chris Tomlin
- “How Great Is Our God”
- “I Will Rise”, by Chris Tomlin
- “Come to Jesus”, by Chris Rice
- “In Christ Alone”
- “10,000 Reasons (Bless The Lord)"
