Monday, August 07, 2006

Hymns at your funeral

Having recently buried my grandfather, I've thought a little bit about what hymns I might like sung/played at my own funeral. While I'm not thinking it'll be anytime soon, I'm hoping that those who bury me will make sure that "Wonderful Grace of Jesus" is part of the service--optimally sung by the mourners in four part harmony with feeling.

Any other suggestions?

10 comments:

Mark said...

If you make that announcement at our church, they'll be eager to sing for you.

It's a fought-over favorite. On request night, the guy who usually limits songs to one verse is obliged to lead the whole song or there will be several in a row asking for verse 2, verse 3, ... :^)

Mercy Now said...

You should have the pastor read Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God by Jonathan Edwards first then follow with this song:o)

Bike Bubba said...

Thought #2; "When I survey the wondrous cross," by Watts.

Or maybe Mark's comment gives a neat thought; have a "requested hymn" time at the funeral. Hmm....

I'd also be interested in other suggestions & thoughts about what youse would like. Hope this isn't too morbid!

Anonymous said...

"God Be With You Till We Meet Again" seems appropriate. I also like "The Deep Deep Love of Jesus".

I tend to think funerals should lean towards being evangelistic, focusing on the person and work of Christ, not the deceased.

Mercy Now said...

Speaking of funerals, I went to one awhile back ago and it was for a former co-worker's husband. The pastor said that Joe, the deceased, loves to fish as that was his passion. Then he said Jesus' disciples were fishermen and Jesus loved them; therefore, Joe will be in heaven because he was a fisherman. I was about to stand up and object but decided not to out of respect for my co-worker.

Shawn said...

@mercy now: yikes.

@david mccrory: why 'should' they be evangelistic? it's a funeral. isn't that, by definition, a rememberance of the deceased? that does not, of course, preclude there from being a quotient of reflection on life which will invariably lead to 'evangelism', but why must that be the focus...ESPECIALLY to the exclusion of focusing on the deceased?

Bike Bubba said...

Shawn, it actually turns out that Christian funerals have always been for the living, not the dead. To be sure, the dead are honored (it's a "eulogy," not a "cacalogy," after all), but the central point of the funeral is to remind the mourners that this life isn't all there is, no?

Perhaps we're "arguing" two sides of the same coin here, but I would suggest that if we downplay the intrinsic evangelism that ought to occur at a funeral, we're in trouble.

Any other hymn suggestions?

Anonymous said...

That's right Bubba. At a Christian funeral in particular, we must bear in mind we aren't our own, we've been bought with a price. My life only had signifiance if it brought glory to God. And as my life brings glory so shall my death.

I want people to see Christ in my life and at my death, not me. For there is no hope in trusting me nor hearing about my life. It is only in the person and work of Jesus Christ that those who are still living have hope.

Mercy Now said...

Here's a million dollar ?, would you want a grave stone w/ your name on it? Some famous guy in Geneva didn't:o)

BTW, this has been a wonderful discussion, well, apart from my input.

Bike Bubba said...

Actually, I like the Edwards suggestion. You've contributed.