November 19, 2024
The Thanksgiving Talk
Ah, Thanksgiving. The time when we gather with family, share a meal, and inevitably discuss everything under the sun. And by "everything," I mean that one relative who always brings up the most uncomfortable topic possible, right before the pumpkin pie. "You know," Uncle Roy says between bites of turkey, "I’ve been thinking about my funeral arrangements..." And suddenly, that second helping of stuffing feels like a stone in your stomach. Ah yes, the traditional Thanksgiving “Talk.”
But maybe this year, when Uncle Roy brings up his funeral planning at the least convenient moment, hey, why not go with it? Thanksgiving is all about gratitude, after all. Planning for the inevitable (death) is a way to show your family that you’re grateful for them and you care, as weird as it sounds. Planning for a funeral adds stress at an already difficult time. But the good news is, stress that can be taken care of with some simple planning!
For Lutherans, it is especially easy – much of the service is already planned for you! Our funeral liturgy is composed of many Biblical references to baptism and resurrection. This helps us remember the promises from God to love and care for us, including our dearly departed loved ones. This takes a lot of the stress out of the planning process, but you do have some choices on hymns and scriptures.
If you’re thinking about your own inevitable funeral service, here’s one thing to keep in mind: one understanding that we hold as a church is that the funeral is for the living more than the dead, the dead are resting in their promises. The service then brings comfort through liturgy, hymns, preaching, and scripture. As you think about your service, what words of comfort do you want to offer those who have gathered to mourn you? Do you want them to be able to sing out the words of Amazing Grace? Do you want them to be held by the comforting words of Job, “I know my redeemer lives”? Our funeral service is a thanksgiving to God for the gift of salvation. How do you want your last Thanksgiving to take place?
Each year I tend to write this same article around Thanksgiving time. Each year, a few more people contact me to talk more about funeral planning. So, the offer stands: I would be honored and willing to meet with anyone reading this to help you plan and think through your funeral service.
God’s Peace,
Pastor Tim
Ah, Thanksgiving. The time when we gather with family, share a meal, and inevitably discuss everything under the sun. And by "everything," I mean that one relative who always brings up the most uncomfortable topic possible, right before the pumpkin pie. "You know," Uncle Roy says between bites of turkey, "I’ve been thinking about my funeral arrangements..." And suddenly, that second helping of stuffing feels like a stone in your stomach. Ah yes, the traditional Thanksgiving “Talk.”
But maybe this year, when Uncle Roy brings up his funeral planning at the least convenient moment, hey, why not go with it? Thanksgiving is all about gratitude, after all. Planning for the inevitable (death) is a way to show your family that you’re grateful for them and you care, as weird as it sounds. Planning for a funeral adds stress at an already difficult time. But the good news is, stress that can be taken care of with some simple planning!
For Lutherans, it is especially easy – much of the service is already planned for you! Our funeral liturgy is composed of many Biblical references to baptism and resurrection. This helps us remember the promises from God to love and care for us, including our dearly departed loved ones. This takes a lot of the stress out of the planning process, but you do have some choices on hymns and scriptures.
If you’re thinking about your own inevitable funeral service, here’s one thing to keep in mind: one understanding that we hold as a church is that the funeral is for the living more than the dead, the dead are resting in their promises. The service then brings comfort through liturgy, hymns, preaching, and scripture. As you think about your service, what words of comfort do you want to offer those who have gathered to mourn you? Do you want them to be able to sing out the words of Amazing Grace? Do you want them to be held by the comforting words of Job, “I know my redeemer lives”? Our funeral service is a thanksgiving to God for the gift of salvation. How do you want your last Thanksgiving to take place?
Each year I tend to write this same article around Thanksgiving time. Each year, a few more people contact me to talk more about funeral planning. So, the offer stands: I would be honored and willing to meet with anyone reading this to help you plan and think through your funeral service.
God’s Peace,
Pastor Tim