A couple of months ago, for “Preaching Post Fridays,” I offered a few suggestions for preaching funerals. Today’s post focuses on a related topic equally crucial to the service itself: what to say at the burial site. Yes, this is a “grave” topic 🫤 for pastors to consider while preparing their final remarks. Here are a few ministry principles I have found helpful:
Be Brief
Unlike the way Hollywood portrays funerals in popular movies, the entire service does not occur at the cemetery. By the time you reach the graveside, you will have already officiated a service where you shared biographical information and preached the gospel. Because your time at the burial site follows an exceptionally long day for the family, five minutes is generally enough time to bring the day’s events to a meaningful conclusion.
Explain More Than Read
Our brief time at the burial site does not allow for reading and explaining every end-time scripture related to death, the afterlife, and the final state. Additionally, many who gather at today’s graveside are unfamiliar with biblical passages known, loved, and understood by previous generations. Like it or not, many who hear the reading of beautiful passages such as 1 Corinthians 15:50-55 will be confused by phrases about the “corruptible” putting on “incorruption” and “the mortal” putting on “immortality.” To be clear, I’m not suggesting we should never read those passages, but that we can only do so much in a few minutes. Therefore, we better edify those gathered by simply stating the theological truths embedded in those texts.
Teach Clearly About Soul And Body
Regarding the above-referenced 1 Corinthians 15 passage (also 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and related texts), preachers should clearly explain what the Bible teaches about a loved one’s body and soul after death. Many who gather at the graveside are often confused about these matters. We help them immensely when we remind them a Christian’s soul goes immediately to be with the Lord at death. We also help them by teaching that a Christian’s body will one day be changed into a glorious or “glorified body” when the Lord returns. For this reason, I like to tell the family that the body of their Christian loved one is being buried at their temporary resting place, awaiting the second coming of our Lord.
Conclude With Encouraging Scripture
After explaining theological truth related to soul and body, read an encouraging verse or two that keeps the family’s focus on Christ. Frequently, I use Proverbs 3:5-6 as a way to help the family trust the Lord in the days ahead. I’ll say something like, “Family, I want to read a passage of Scripture for you, and then I’ll pray a prayer that will conclude our time together. I’m reading Proverbs 3:5-6. As I read, listen for how you can trust God in the days ahead.” Then I read the passage and pray a brief prayer for the family.
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