I have attended a number of funerals in my lifetime and have officiated at more than you can imagine. This past month we have had a number of funerals and memorial services here at Faith Lutheran Church. I have always believed and practiced that a Christian funeral or memorial service should, first and foremost, reflect the words of the Apostle Paul: “Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). Paul used the euphemism “fall asleep” to refer to those who have died in Christ.

A lot of people have asked me the difference between a funeral and a memorial service. The differences include: Presence of the Deceased (body or ashes) which allows attendees to say goodbye, while a memorial service does not require the body to be present.

Timing: Funerals are usually held shortly after death, often before burial or cremation, whereas memorial services can take place at a later date.

Atmosphere and Focus: Funerals tend to be more meditative, while memorial services are more celebratory.

As a pastor of Faith Lutheran Church – and in a general sense, the ministry of all believers here at Faith adhere to the living letters of Jesus Christ who has given us the joy to both comfort and heal. Believers share the same faith and thoughts about death and eternal life. I pray that the messages that I and others have shared this past month and years was the message of God (“He never leaves nor forsakes us even in death”), of the Church (we believe in the resurrection and eternal life”), and of the other believers (“We are here to give love, support, and to journey together to eternity”).

Emotionally, as your pastor, I know my weaknesses and limitations and feel them in grieving alongside with the Faith Family. I too feel the anxieties about dying. What I have found that helps is turning to the best teacher, the Triune God, for my personal comfort and strength. As I said goodbye to Berch, Lois, Nic, Danny, Agnes, Bob, and Jeremy’s mother it was a challenge. However, these funerals and memorial services gave me a glimpse into that brighter world where all Christians will be reunited, where the bonds of love shall be made stronger than they were here, never again to be severed. It is this hope that helps comfort me during the pains of grief at parting. We celebrate with joy these events: the Father creating us, the Son redeeming us, and the Holy Spirit who comforts us daily. 

In Christ,

Pastor Don Treglown