Why we can celebrate life in death

This can be a healing time of reflection and quiet thanksgiving by those who have been bereaved, whether as family or friends. A number of churches in St Albans and Harpenden hold similar services each year.

It so happened that in the previous week Christ Church had also held a Thanksgiving Service for one of its long-serving members who had just died.

It is becoming increasingly common for the family of a church member who has died to have a quiet, private funeral service at the crematorium or a burial ground when they can say their good-byes, and then for friends to join them for a public service back at church.

We sang songs and hymns of praise. We listened to an amusing account of the person’s life given with both humour and emotion by his son.

We prayed for the family. Several people took part in an ‘open mic’ session.

We heard a wonderful Bible passage, full of hope, read and then explained.

The service, though celebrating a human life, had as its focus the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Christians have the firm conviction that death for those who own him as their Lord is a passing to new life in his presence. There is certainty in our sadness.

Even though everyone’s heart goes out to the family in their grief, we celebrate not only the human life that is no more, but the Saviour whom the person who has died had served.

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