A 'Good' Funeral

Abstract

"This brief essay introduces two questions about funerals: *what makes a funeral Christian? * how is this expressed in the shaping of the service? Ron Arm strong In answering each question, I wantto suggest a response which is not customary among Baptists. My first answer will proceed from an understanding about the nature of Christian worship in general. The second answer will be founded upon social, anthropological and contemporary liturgical scholarship. I do not imagine that the answers I give will be congenial to all my readers, but the issues I address are central to the way we approach our pastoral ministry in the time of death and bereavement. What makes a funeral Christian? Many ministers find it difficult to take what they call "non-Christian funerals". I find it impossible. However, we are not talking about the same thing, and the phrase "nonChristian funeral" normally means the funeral of a non-Christian. With these I have no problem. Indeed, I have officiated at the funeral of a Chinese Buddhist without any hesitation - although until now I have not gone into print on the matter!"