“Jesus said, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live.'” — John 11:25
We never look forward to the death of a loved one. Yet it is a sad fact of our fallen and broken world that death will come for us all, unless our Lord Christ returns first.
The Funeral Service of the Church is intended for those who depart this life in the Christian faith. As a rite of the Church, the funeral is first and foremost a worship service with the risen Christ as its focus. Through His Word and promises, we proclaim His victory over sin and death and the hope of the resurrection, bringing comfort and peace to those who mourn.
Because of this focus on Christ Jesus, and because of the nature of the time of mourning and for the sake of good order, funeral services conducted at Zion are ordinarily offered for members of our congregation. It is especially fitting to gather in the church, where the deceased received God’s gifts through His Word and Sacraments. Standing before the baptismal font and the altar serves as a powerful reminder of God’s faithful promises and provides sure and certain comfort to those who grieve.