Summary

While funerals have often been seen as family affairs or private activities, the fact is that death impacts entire communities: both the faith community and the community at large.

Listen Online

Details

Aspects of funeral planning for pastors and worship leaders will be considered with the focus on the funeral (or memorial) service as worship. We will also consider the role of the church and worship planners in community-wide memorial services.

Presented at the 2008 Calvin Symposium on Worship.

Recent Media Resources

Sunday Formation for the Monday Priesthood

The last few minutes of corporate worship are critical because they frame the entire purpose of worship and its connection to our lives in the world.  

September 9, 2025 | 1 min video
A Snapshot of Illness, Pain, and Healing in Early Christianity

How did early Christians understand their illness and pain in their Greco-Roman context?

August 27, 2025 | 65 min video
Contextual Stories from Hispanic Worshiping Communities

Pastors of three Hispanic churches will share what they learned from experiences implementing congregational projects related to the development of new understandings and practices of worship and preaching.

August 27, 2025 | 59 min video