A Service of Witness to the Resurrection (most commonly referred to as a funeral or memorial service) is a service of worship in which God’s people witness to their faith in the hope of the Gospel, the communion of saints, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting, and in which also assurance of God’s love and salvation in Christ is ministered, especially to the Christian bereaved.
Such a service at State College Presbyterian Church is worship of the living God. The service is God’s way of bringing comfort to the hearts of those who mourn as Scripture is read and preached, prayer is offered, praises are sung, grief is expressed, remembrance is cherished; and it is an occasion in which we, by the grace of God, bless the name of the One who gives and takes away. The presence of family and friends around at this time supports and strengthens the sorrowing ones. The service gives thanks for the life of the one who has passed away and learns from it valuable lessons.
Thus, in the service, we gather primarily to worship God and confess our faith in a living Savior. Though we mourn our loss and remember our loved one, our eyes are firmly fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of the faith.
FAQs
We have prepared these brief answers to some of the questions that are often asked when a loved one is taken. It would be well to read these over when no need is in sight so that one can have these things in mind when called upon to make decisions and plans and to seek comfort in the loss of a beloved family member or friend.
A funeral at State College Presbyterian Church is worship of the living God. The funeral is God’s way of bringing comfort to the hearts of those who mourn as Scripture is read and preached, prayer is offered, praises are sung, grief is expressed, remembrance is cherished; and it is an occasion in which we, by the grace of God, bless the name of the One who gives and takes away. The presence of family and friends around at this time supports and strengthens the sorrowing ones. The funeral gives thanks for the life of the one who has passed away and learns from it valuable lessons.
Children and grandchildren learn things about their dear one that remind them of character qualities they may want to cultivate for the days ahead. The funeral gives a sense of closure to a life and brings a certain reality to the passing that may not happen in any other way. Spiritually and psychologically it is used by God to bring us through the process of grieving. It is not something to be gotten over with; rather, we are to enter into it with expectation of God’s comfort and the easing of our pain through it.
No one can answer that question for you completely, but some suggestions may be made. In the church, there are valuable memories of sacred events which will serve to comfort the hearts of those who mourn. The church is the place used for all kinds of happy experiences and to gather there to receive God’s comfort is most natural and appropriate. The church is open for you at any time that you wish to plan your service. It is your church. The ministers are ready to give priority to holding a farewell service for your loved ones and we make every effort to work with you to find the day, time, and means most helpful and meaningful to you.
The funeral home is an attractive and accessible place as well. Yet, its only associations are with death; but its environment may hold out comfort for a sorrowing family. You will have to decide that for yourself.
Graveside services are often used for simplicity and convenience, and are sometimes the expressed wish of the deceased. But it is important to take into account the special limitations that graveside services place upon a family. The time must be brief. Sometimes the elements make it hard for the living who are already in a nervous condition. It may turn out to be less than the ministry of comfort than it could have been had it been held indoors.
Thank them sincerely for their kindness. Usually they don’t know just what to say. But receive their comfort as from the Lord, and listen to it for God’s voice speaking to you through them in terms of strengthening. Don’t be afraid to talk with them about your loved one who has passed away.
The word of God is a source of comfort and strength to you, especially in the Psalms.
If you or your loved one do not already have plans for a final resting place, we encourage you to consider the columbarium here at State College Presbyterian, where cremains (cremated remains) can be laid to rest.
You can find more information about the columbarium here:
