Preaching at Weddings and Funerals

(Excerpt) In his book, Grace Notes and Other Fragments, Joseph Sittler wrote: Most ministers are aware that it is a tough and delicate labor to insert the lively power of the Word of God into the rushing occupations and silent monologues of human beings. (p. 64) Two occasions at which the insertion of the lively power of the Word of God into the lives of people is a particularly tough and delicate labor are weddings and funerals. In the assemblies gathered to mark these life passages the pastor will, in many cases, be encountering a significant number of persons, perhaps a majority, with whom she/he has had no previous contact. Many in that significant number of persons may not profess faith in Christ Jesus, reject sin, and confess the faith of the Church, the faith in which we baptize. Both in our occasional service and in our Sunday assemblies there is an increasing number of persons who are divorced, alienated, displaced, or alone

A matter of life and death: preaching at funerals

Title: A matter of life and death: preaching at funerals. Author: Hoffacker, Charles Matter of life and death 112 p. Publisher: Cambridge, Mass : Cowley, 2002

Facts about Funerals

Facts about funerals discusses preplanning, funeral directors, costs, standard services burial costs, advertised complete funerals, cemetery lots, markets and monuments, shipping the body, prearranging and prefinancing funerals, insurance, letters of last instruction, public welfare burial assistance, and post-death matters

Three funerals and a wedding

This article is a modified and updated version of a speech presented at the Regional Economic Summit, Evansville, Indiana, November 20, 2008.Financial crises ; Financial markets ; Financial crises ; Macroeconomics

Graphic material as an element to enhance personalised funerals

Published ArticlePersonalised funerals are defined as modernised, innovative, customised and specialised types of funerals. Personalised funerals are performed to reflect the individual's life and what he or she has accomplished (Broadbent 2002; Wolcott 1999). The aim of this study was to establish if there is a niche in South Africa for graphic material for personalised funerals. The importance of a personalised funeral is to comfort the attendees and avoid the funeral being too traumatic. One of the main questions that arose during this study is how well South Africans react to the idea of personalised funerals? Traditional funerals are gradually being improved by means of creating a more modernised and customised funeral. Funerals now include pictures, photographs and even slide shows of the deceased person (Jenga 2001). Informal receptions with bright colours and even a party after the services are becoming the preferred method (Edwards 2002). Orchids instead of roses, favourite songs instead of Bach, touching poems instead of traditional prayers (Wolcott 1999), slay coffins instead of a plain wooden coffin (Eybers 2007) all emphasise the need for personalised funerals. The aim of the first questionnaire was to establish if there is a niche in South Africa for graphic design material for personalised funerals and to assist with the various design implications that can be used in a funeral pamphlet. A second questionnaire was developed in order to include the opinion of a professional in the funeral industry, which could be beneficial in the design process. Through analysing these questionnaires, various design concepts were developed and applied to funeral pamphlets. The funeral industry already provides various services, for example catering, hiring of tents and vehicles. Why not graphic designers? The author of this study postulates that this could possibly develop a trend or need in South Africa, and expose more and more South Africans to personalised funerals

The impact of HIV/AIDS on food security and household vulnerability in Swaziland

This study investigated the impact of HIV/AIDS on food security and household vulnerability in Swaziland. Personal interviews with 847 selected farming households revealed an increase in sales of crops and livestock to finance funerals and healthcare, a decrease in expenditure on agricultural inputs, and an increase in expenditure on medical bills and funerals. Most households were vulnerable to food insecurity. The affected households therefore need assistance in order to maintain food production and security, including support in the form of agricultural inputs such as fertilisers and seeds through the markets and special arrangements to allow them access to affordable inputs. Therapeutic feeding and home based care will be needed for the chronically ill in vulnerable households.impact, HIV/AIDS, food security, household vulnerability, Food Security and Poverty,

Frenzy-Free Funerals: the Least America Owes Its Fallen Heroes

Frenzy-Free Funerals: The Least America Owes its Fallen Heroes analyzes the constitutionality of the Respect for America\u27s Fallen Heroes Act (RAFHA). After detailing relevant First Amendment cases, the note examines court treatment of funerals and death-related issues. The history and purpose of funerals is examined from a psychological and sociological perspective, including a funeral\u27s significance to individuals and society at-large. Finally, the note concludes that the RAFHA is constitutional under the First Amendment, given the relevant test, court cases, and societal norms

Domestic Deathcare: The Effect of Home Funerals on the Grieving Process

In the United States, there is a growing movement towards home and alternative funeral practices. Little is known about how this shift might impact the grief process. In order to understand the contemporary home funeral movement, it is important to examine pivotal moments in the history of funerals in America—like the Civil War, Industrial Revolution and the popularization of the genteel code. Additionally, research on grief and funerals provides general context and insight on the influence of funeral rituals on mourning. Though much of the literature on conventional funerals and family’s responses to loss apply to alternative deathcare, there is also some anecdotal evidence to suggest that the unique qualities of home funerals give families more time and space to heal