Some thoughts on a beautiful day

It’s a beautiful day today for a funeral. Or more specifically for a memorial service.

One of our elderly ladies who has been a part of Malmo for 60, 70 or 80 years, passed away in June. And today is the day we will gather to lay her physical remains to rest. That which we saw with our eyes, heard with our ears, and touched with our hands.

She, her essence her spirit has gone on to be with God in His glory. That was his promise to her and his promise to each of his children.


It has been interesting to observe the traditions around death and burial over my past 40 years plus of ministry.

It used to be when the loved one passed away, that a service would be structured and carried out within 5 to 7 days of their passing. That would mean that some of their plans were limited. That maybe not all the family could be there for the funeral.

It also meant that the service would be much simpler than it has become. The food afterwards, a simple affair.

But it has become much more about convenience. When the loved one dies, they are cremated, which then opens things up widely for a service date anytime in the calendar.

There’s time to plan a very ornate service, with high production values. With music and videos, and wonderful facilities and full meals.

And the family and friends can then gather whenever they like for that event.

I understand some of that. But what it’s done is begun to put pressure on simpler funeral services. There’s now an expectation of quality, in music and leadership. There’s an expectation of live streaming the service around the world. There’s an expectation of catering the meal with quality foods because, the loved one deserves the best. And on and on it goes.

The complexity of it increases dramatically, and then of course the expectation does too. So that today, people with financial restraints, sometimes will feel guilty about what they can and cannot provide for their loved one.

I prefer the simple services, that focus on gratitude and worship of God for his work in the life and through the life of his loved one. A simple but heartfelt service, and simple refreshments.

Things are always in flux as time goes on. And it will probably self correct as money and resources become more scarce.

Anyway, this is my work for today.

Blessings all.