Finding the right words when preaching at a funeral

Finding the right words when preaching at a funeral

So often at funerals family members expect to eulogize their beloved sibling that it reminds us of persons knowing just what to say.  However, that is not usually what we might expect especially because most are not trained in exhorting crowds.  They mean well but there are more tears than perfection and we get through the service praying for each other in the name of the deceased.

But a priest or deacon who is the celebrant of the word has the task of fitting a past to the present for our deceased member.  Some clerics will search the familiar activities of the person who has died in order to achieve a relaxing atmosphere with the family and friends.  They think that by placing the past activities on the altar will make the audience more relaxed.  It is the same scenario when visiting the funeral parlor and striking up a conversation with the family will  melt any rigidity that may exist.  But a warm embrace and maybe an “I am sorry” would suffice. 

With that in mind the same approach from the pulpit is a warm consideration for the listeners.  Bringing in the theology of Christ’s resurrection, coupled with the words spoken as the casket enters the church, the Pall placed on the casket which is sprinkled with holy water and the words; “In the waters of baptism Name died with Christ and rose with him to new life.  May he/she now share with him eternal glory.”

This celebration is filled with many symbols, each one bringing us closer to Jesus Christ as we will see.  The Pall colored white reminds us of our resurrection after death,  the holy water is a symbol of all the cleansng God’s people found as they were blessed on their journey out of Egypt.  The Paschal candle placed at the casket is represented as the light that is Jesus, lighting the way to heaven.   Not one is just a pattern of making the celebration unique.  

Perhaps, it should be noted that the funeral Mass is the closest we shall experience as the remains are sent with angels to meet Christ and they are sent with the most graces we as Church are able to do,  Of all the Sacred Sacraments we share through God’s grace, this is not one of them, but is the grand farewell and the presence of Almighty God is ever present,

Ralph B. Hathaway