Ethics and beliefs

“We must accept finite disappointment,
but never lose infinite hope”
(Martin Luther King Jnr)

When preparing a funeral, I operate within a Christian framework of beliefs about life and death and I’d like to clarify this for you.

When we come to a service to ‘give thanks’ for someone, I presuppose that it’s God we’re giving thanks to (whatever the family’s understanding of God happens to be). The relatives may have little or no religious faith (most don’t, actually) but that need never preclude us from giving thanks for the person they are grieving.

While a prayer may be said, or a scripture reading used, I seek to avoid inappropriate religious formality which can obscure the simple act of giving thanks.

I expect you can see this has some consequences for the funerals I conduct:

  • If you prefer to have a service which is avowedly atheistic then I’m not the right person for you. This would be a service where the assumption is ‘God doesn’t exist and should no part in my service’. However, I will gladly connect you with someone who make be able to help you.
  • Furthermore, if you come from another faith stream such as Islam, Hinduism or Buddhism I am not qualified to take your service. I am happy to connect you with a local faith leader who may help you if that’s possible.

I believe this life doesn’t end with our death and that a loving God welcomes people who trust him into a frame of being that is way beyond what we can even imagine. So in the services I conduct, you will hear wording that has this confidence as its foundation. I do this because, even if you don’t profess faith, these truths bring life and hope into the sadness of losing someone we love.

If you have any questions about this or just want to chat about it’s significance, please contact me. I look forward to talking with you.