I struggled with your editorial on funerals (Feb. 2008 Q&A). Serving in a congregation that regularly does more than fifty funerals a year, it becomes clear that our issue is not so much truth as love. A funeral or memorial service is for the living, and the focus is on proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ to them. We work hard to care for the families both in life and death. There is so much opportunity to love by showing mercy and compassion. Can’t we simply perform a funeral for those are baptized into Christ and offer care and concern for the living. If given the choice between truth and mercy in this case, I’ll chose mercy for the living.
Pax Domini
Tim Klinkenberg
St. John’s Lutheran Church
Orange, CA
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