In the United States today, the cost of a funeral can easily
exceed $10,000. that is a lot of money. Is it really necessary? You want to do
what is right, a simple "Christian Funeral." What exactly is that? Let's start
by examining what the bible says about funerals.
A funeral is an important event in the Christian
community.
A funeral for a Christian is a celebration of a promotion, which has already
taken place. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 5:8 that "to be absent from the
body is to be present with the Lord." It is a testimony to our family and
friends that we believe our deceased loved ones are not in the casket. The
scripture says we are "home with the Lord." It is unnecessary to spend lots of
money protecting something that is not there. A Christian funeral has more to do
with celebrating what has happened to the spirit, rather than burying a body. A
Christian funeral should not be focused on the body of the person who died. The
focus is on the life that was lived.
Where Can We Hold the Service?
Consider having your service at the church, as many of our major
"Christian life" events are celebrated in the church. Why not your funeral? We
are dedicated in the church, receive our Christian education in the church
(Sunday school), commit our lives at the altar, are baptized in the church,
married in the church and then buried through a funeral home chapel? A
Christian's funeral should be in the church!
What Should A Christian Funeral Cost?
You will save money if you have the service in the church,
because you shouldn't have to pay for funeral home facilities you don't use.
Funeral homes may not like this because it reduces their fees, but I would stand
firm. In some instances a funeral home may charge the same amount for
"staff" to direct the services as for using their facilities,
but in most cases, a reputable funeral firm will charge less when their facility
is not utilized.
The Cost of a Casket:
Consider a modest casket. What does it matter if it seals? The
Bible says we are already "present with the Lord." Caskets are routinely made of
20 gauge steel, 18 gauge steel, hardwoods, copper & bronze. The best value
is 20 gauge steel. Hardwoods are very expensive. Copper & Bronze are premium
caskets.
Cemeteries:
When early Christians died, they did what the land would allow them to do. If
the ground was soft, they dug a grave. If there were caves, they used them as a
mausoleum. If the ground was hard, and there were stones, the stones were piled
on top of the deceased. In the rare instance where they were crossing a sea,
they were buried at sea. What should we do today? Veteran's cemeteries are the
best deal; they are absolutely free. To use a veteran's cemetery, you must meet
the following criteria; "All honorably discharged veterans and their spouses are
entitled to free grave space, markers, and opening & closing." This is
approximately a $4,000.00 to $5,000.00 savings. You earned this benefit, use it!
If you must use a "for profit" cemetery, here is a tip; read the classifieds.
Many people who move away try to sell their graves. This can be good for both
the seller and the buyer. Our city cemeteries are also a great deal. They are
perpetual care and you don't have to deal with a commission sales person.
Remember, Jesus was laid in a borrowed tomb. He didn't have a
funeral. Scripture says our bodies are like old clay pots; one day they won't be
needed. We are told to be wise with the resources God has given us. A Christian
Funeral is a special service to say 'good-bye' until we see each other again.
The body should be buried with loving care. We should pay our respects, not our
life savings.
by Jim Rudolph
(Reprinted with his permission)
