The death of someone we love is one of the most difficult and trying times of our life. We can experience many different reactions and emotions: things can seem quite unreal, we may find what has happened hard to accept, we may feel angry, or desperately sad, or lost and confused, sometimes we find that doing everyday things helps, and sometimes we feel unable to do anything, sometimes we want other people close by, and sometimes we wish they would go away. It helps if we understand that all of this is quite normal. Bereavement throws our world into turmoil. Inevitably, we struggle to make sense of what has happened.
At times like this, our thoughts may turn to God. We may feel angry and want to blame God for what has happened. Or, we may feel a need to ask God to help us cope with our grief and loss. Both responses are also natural. God understands and accepts how we feel in all situations.
God’s love for us and desire to help us are described in the Bible. Jesus said, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die.’ (John 11:25-26)
Our caring, sensitive and experienced ministers will assist you to prepare a funeral that is honouring, respectful and as individual as the person it commemorates. The minister conducting the funeral will spend time with you to develop a service, which celebrates the life of the deceased and allows you to work through your grief. The funeral service will include prayers, readings from the Bible, and a short address by the minister. You can talk freely with the minister about any special requests or wishes your loved one had for their funeral service.
We trust that the service and facilities of our church will help make your loved one’s funeral a special time of remembrance and a celebration of their life.
If you feel that you would like to pray, but do not know what to say, you may find the following prayer helpful:
Dear God,
Death has taken ………….. from us; Our faith in life is shaken; Our minds keep on asking - why? Why does joy end in sorrow? Why has our loving ended in tears?