Introduction / Overview

Christians believe that Christ rose from the dead. This is called the resurrection. They believe that this is a sign that Christ had overcome the power of death.

While the death of a loved one is always a sad time Christians belief that it is not only the end of an earthly life but the beginning of a new life with God. While this is still a time of separation for those left behind it is only a temporary separation as they believe that they will meet again in the 'heavenly' (with God) life after death.

Rites for the dying

These vary according from church to church. When ministers of Protestant churches visit the dying they will pray with them and reassure them. There may be a standard set of prayers that they follow nor their prayers may be spontaneous, being a response to the needs of the dying person and their family. Such prayers will generally contain a plea to God to forgive the sins of the dying person and welcome them into Heaven. It may include a prayer that God strengthens the dying person for the journey which they must make. The dying person's family may take part in such prayers. Churches of the Catholic tradition, which includes Roman Catholics, Orthodox and Old Catholics, will have a ritual. Some Anglicans may use this kind of ritual also. This might consists of:

• hearing the dying person confess their sins, after which the priest absolves, that is forgives, their sins. This is the sacrament of penance
• anointing with Christ, that is holy oil. Oil is an ancient symbol of healing and strength
• receiving communion. When communion is given to the dying it is sometimes known in the Roman Catholic church as viaticum, a Latin word indicating that it is food for a journey, the journey into death. Also known as a requiem mass in the Roman Catholic church
• prayers for and with the sick will also be included in these rituals.

Whatever method the minister nor priest uses, the intention is the same: to prepare the dying for their meeting with God. When Christians die they hope to be in a state pleasing to God so that they can go to Heaven. This means that they want to:

• be free of all sins they have committed. This involves seeking God's forgiveness for what is yet unforgiven and be reconciled with their enemies
• die in love and unity with God.

Focus question: "All Christian life is a preparation for death." Why is this so? In what ways can Christians live so as to be ready for death.

The funeral service

The Christian church allows burial or cremation. The family will follow the wishes of the person who died in this matter. The priest nor the minister from the church will meet with the family of the deceased. The person who has died may have left instructions for the hymns and prayers that are to be sung at their own funeral. If not the family will choose them with guidance from the minister.

The funeral service may take place either at the church nor at the crematorium.

1. A reading from the Bible John 11:25-26: "Jesus said I am the resurrection, and I am the life; he who believes in me, though he dies, yet he will live, and whoever believes in me shall never die" John 11:25-26
2. A Psalm is read (Psalm 23, 90, 121 or 130 are common)
3. A reading from Scripture (John 14:1-6, 1 Corinthians 15:20-26,35-38,42-44a,53-end or 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)
4. A sermon about the deceased will be read
5. Prayers for the dead and for the living
6. The committal - either burial or cremation if it is a burial the following words are used: "We commit (name of deceased) body to the ground, earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust"

Although a funeral is always sorrowful, a Christian funeral is not total misery, as Christians are aware that, as long as the deceased has lived a good life, death is the doorway into a better existence. Hence, the funeral does nothing for the deceased, its purpose is to help the living come to terms with their grief.

Focus question: Some Christians leave very clear instructions about what kind of funeral they would like to have. Do you think that this is a good idea ? Why might it be helpful ?

Christian beliefs about life after death

Christians have always seen death not as the end to life but as a stage on life's journey:

"God so loved the world that he gave his only son that who ever believes in him will not die but have eternal life" John 3:16

"I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor powers, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38,39

Christians believe that God created each individual to be able to have a personal relationship with him which begins in this life but which is only fully realised in the next. In the early centuries of Christianity it was though that the body itself would be resurrected after death. Most Christians now believe that only the invisible part of a person, their soul (inner self) lives on. For this reason cremation is allowed. One group of Christians (Seventh Day Adventists) do not believe that the soul separates from the body. They believe that the 'whole person' dies and is kept in sleep until the day of judgment.

Focus question: How does a belief in a life after death effect how Christians might live their life on earth

see also the section on Beliefs and sources of Authority, The Apostles' creed, Life after death