A Pastor's Practical Guide to Funerals

This straight-forward book integrates the pragmatic how to of the funeral process--especially in dealing with difficult funerals--with the art of being a caring and healing presence before, during, and after the funeral. While conducting a funeral is one the great privileges of ministry, pastors must be skilled and ready to guide grieving family and friends through the process of saying goodbye and burying a loved one. With sample services, prayers, sermon themes, and Bible readings, this book will  help pastors hear, name, and integrate relevant illustration into a respectful story of the deceased's life--a story that is appropriate to the particular circumstances of each situation. Contents include: Preparing for Death Caring through Anticipated Death Caring through Sudden Death Meeting with Family before the Funeral Service Creating the Funeral Service Creating the Funeral Sermon Following up with GrieversRead less