The Funeral

A free-verse reflection on the sacred act of commemoration

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All, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit (2 Corinthians 3.18)

They come, saddened, one-by-one, then, as time draws nigh, in mournful streams.

Faithful folk, passing through the church’s portals, gathering; remembering, honoring the soul of their loved one, yet alive in their hearts of reminiscence, yea, more, enfleshed still in their corporate presence.

There, they sing, the roof raised, hymns of God’s praise, and listen to holy script and ancient word: “I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die…”[1]

Throughout, they hope, praying in faith of the truth of it; that they, in their love, as long as they live, may strive, thrive trusting in the promise of life everlasting.

© 2022 PRA

Illustration: En begravelse (a funeral), Frants Peter Diderik Henningsen (1850-1908)

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[1] “I am the resurrection and life…,” from the Opening Acclamation of The Burial of the Dead: Rite I, The Book of Common Prayer, page 469

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