Earlier this month my father-in-law died. About ten days before that I attended the funeral of a friend. Yesterday I attended the funeral of a man who was a member of the congregation I served for most of my ministry, someone I knew for more than 25 years. While there, I found out another long-time member of that congregation had died, and her funeral will be on Friday. Death is a reality. It is something we all face, and we deal with it in different ways. I know some who refuse to attend funerals because they don’t want to deal with this reality. But, unless our Lord returns first, it is something we will all go through.

Something I have heard a lot of preachers say recently goes something like this: “The funeral is not about the deceased. It is not about the survivors. It is all about Jesus.” I understand the sentiment, and I agree that our focus should be on what Jesus has done for us that enables us to be forgiven and have eternal life. But some of those preachers put that into practice by barely mentioning the deceased. Shouldn’t we proclaim the goodness of God in the life of the departed loved one?

I once had a brother pastor write to me that he would conduct a funeral service even if no one showed up. That is all well and good, but how much better it is that we proclaim Jesus as Lord and Savior to those who are still living and give the Holy Spirit the chance to work faith and confidence in their lives! Yes, it is all about Jesus, but it is also about how He works in the lives of sinners to rescue them from sin and death.

When I conducted funeral services, as much as possible I shared stories about the person who had died to illustrate his or her confidence in Jesus. I spoke of God’s loving work in the life of the deceased through Baptism and Holy Communion and the Word. I prayed that the Holy Spirit would work through me to help others understand God’s love for them, too. It was all about Jesus, but it was addressed to those who were still living, in the hopes that it would strengthen the faith of those who already believed and perhaps be a light for those still living in darkness.

1 Corinthians 15:19–22 ¹⁹ If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. ²⁰ But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. ²¹ For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. ²² For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.

Christ alone gives us the victory over death and the grave. It is good to celebrate that in the service for a departed brother or sister in Christ. It is vital to proclaim that to those who grieve. It is all about Jesus.

When Cheryl’s dad died, he left specific instructions that his committal service was to take place before the service at the church. There was no casket nor picture of him in the chancel. Why? His reason was two-fold. He wanted the service to be all about Jesus. And he wanted a visual reminder to all who attended that He was no longer here, but with Jesus. He even asked his pastor to point that out to those in attendance. What a beautiful object lesson from that retired preacher who is now with his Lord! Yes, it is all about Jesus.

Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.