This past week, our Roman Catholic siblings in Christ made a bit of a churchy splash among us of the clergy sort, as numerous Bishops in the United States put forth new policies regarding funerals for their respective dioceses (equivalent to our geographical synods in our Evangelical Lutheran Church in America). The links to the full text of the letter explaining the policies (with a YouTube video) and an article from the National Catholic Register are included below, but a few highlights:
- no visitations held at the church building the day of the funeral
- no eulogies during the funeral
- all cremated remains are to be interred intact within 30 days of the funeral
Of course, it remains an incredibly easy sport, of sorts, for us churches to participate in: comparing ourselves with other faith traditions, and appearing as if we insist we are better than those others. After all, there are actual reasons for such strong encouragement from faith leaders: visitations before a funeral could impact the felt-sacredness of the moment, eulogies could move away from the God-centeredness of the funeral (not to mention could go on for a while…a long while), and with the tradition of professing a Resurrection of the body, there is this renewed call to keep all cremated remains together, and be interred relatively soon, out of respect for that theology.
And yet, we also recognize that such end-of-life circumstances may not always be the most opportune time for the church to further impose our religious rules and expectations on grieving family and friends of the deceased. We’ve learned to be flexible with recognizing people’s work schedules leading them not being able to participate in funeral home visitations the day preceding the service, and so we may need to give time before the funeral to allow individuals to pay their final respects as well as offer needed compassion to the family. We know we may run the risk of certain memories being shared that may not be the overly churchy material, let alone take longer than the actual homily, but we’ll still manage to proclaim the Gospel when it’s all said and done. We know some families prefer splitting up cremated remains for remembrance’s sake, and we have a feeling that God still knows what to do with the Resurrection to life everlasting.
Regardless, we know that as many people have experienced more than their fair share of funerals and memorial and graveside services, out of respect and deep desire to embody Christ’s loving presence to those in grief; it oftentimes turns into an immense struggle to decide on such arrangements for their own loved ones. There remains more than enough to emotionally handle for the mortal reality, while sifting through life-shaping memories and heart-wrenching regret, before even getting to all the fine-print administrative matters, and then having to plan how best to mourn and celebrate and give thanks all at once. We know the church needs to offer compassion and patience and kindness and love and grace, perhaps even more so during such faith-trying moments.
And so, yes, we’ll offer our recommendations on Scripture and music and when to schedule visitations and services and luncheons, and numerous other details that may feel as if a most immense mountain to scale. But through it all, we’ll still manage to find a way to ensure the Gospel of the cross and resurrection is proclaimed. Somehow, someway, the Risen Christ still more than manages to rise from the depths of the sorrow and despair and sheer struggle to get through it all. And even when the casket or cremated remains are eventually taken care of, the church will be there to accompany those who grieve, no matter how long it takes, because that is the ultimate rule of love in Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen (so let it be)!
In Christ,
Pastor Brad
Updated Policies from the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois