Question 1

What is a Christian Funeral?

Accepted Answer

A funeral encompasses all of the various elements that surround the way in which we mark the death of a loved one. This includes the time surrounding the moment/process of dying, the time of saying good-bye, burial, and the grieving process that follows the immediate event.

Question 2

Can children attend funerals?

Accepted Answer

In most cases, children should be encouraged to go to funerals. Attending funerals helps them to understand that death is a natural part of life.

Question 3

What about buriel or entombment?

Accepted Answer

Burial is scheduled according to the requirements of the cemetery chosen by the family.

Question 4

Do you have a eulogy at a Methodist funeral?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Speakers should speak for no more than four or five minutes and think carefully about the content. Some of the stories may be more suitable for the reception after the funeral.

Question 5

What should I do if I cannot attend a funeral of a friend?

Accepted Answer

If you can’t go to the funeral it is a good idea to let the family know in a letter or a card.  You may like to have a service said for the repose of the soul of the deceased person. You can buy a rememberance card at most church bookshops.  You can then send the card to the dead person’s family.

Question 6

What does the Methodist Church say about cremation?

Accepted Answer

Cremation is accepted by the Methodist Church. It is preferred that the body of the deceased be present at the funeral liturgy and cremation take place afterward, but it is also acceptable for the cremation to take place first and the cremains to be present at the funeral liturgy.

Question 7

Should I bring flowers to the funeral?

Accepted Answer

If you receive no instructions, check with the family.  They may ask only family to bring flowers and ask others to make a donation to a designated charity.

Question 8

Can I have secular music at a funeral?

Accepted Answer

We usually suggest that non-religious music is played at the reception after the funeral.

Question 9

When do funeral take place usually?

Accepted Answer

Funerals may be celebrated on any day except holy days of obligation, Maundy Thursday, the Easter Triduum (that is Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter Sunday), Sundays of Advent, Lent and Easter.

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SACRAMENTS

When important people die, He's there

The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:8 that “to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.”

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