SCRIPTURE: Genesis 15:15 And you shall to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried in a good old (hoary) age. (Amp) REFLECTION: My friend Norma Leary wrote in jest that perhaps we ought to take the “fun” out of the word “funeral.” Might I add that since most funerals are somber occasions a more realistic word would be “somberal?” Funerals, for the Christian, should have an element of celebration and fun. After all the next stage of life is perfection in Christ. He also stands on the Christian’s behalf before the Lord on judgment day. Personally, I would like my funeral to be fun for those attending. Rejoice in my life, both the earthly life I lived as well as the heavenly life I am starting. Have a party---make sure there is a birthday cake announcing my birth into a new life! Listen to joyous hymns and songs, even dance before the Lord. I enjoyed this life, and expect to enjoy the next life even more. So celebrate! With this in mind, I am choosing a variety of music to be taped for visitation. It will have my favorite selections, selections that represent different times in my life and the different relationships I’ve had. I am preparing a blessing for my children, and I leave boxes of photographs to be shared. Since I will be with the Lord at the time of this celebration I will miss it. Hopefully I can look down on the festivities where relatives and friends are gathered in my memory. I expect someday to greet them as they, too, enter the perfect life. Yes, I hope to see a few tears indicating how much I will be missed by those I love. After all, I am still human. What is your approach to death? Have you done any pre-funeral planning? Do you know how you want others to approach your continued journey that takes you out of their earthly life? Are you secure enough in your faith that you would want people to celebrate your new life, or do you want them to mourn the death of this life that has ended? Was Norma right---should we take the fun out of funeral? PRAYER: Lord, the end of life is frightening. Help me view it as an exciting step in the journey towards perfection. Amen. ---written by Carolyn | 
