A Pastor's Practical Guide to Funerals

This straight-forward book integrates the pragmatic how to of the funeral process--especially in dealing with difficult funerals--with the art of being a caring and healing presence before during and after the funeral. While conducting a funeral is one the great privileges of ministry pastors must be skilled and ready to guide grieving family and friends through the process of saying goodbye and burying a loved one. With sample services prayers sermon themes and Bible readings this book will help pastors hear name and integrate relevant illustration into a respectful story of the deceased''s life--a story that is appropriate to the particular circumstances of each situation.Contents include: Preparing for Death; Caring through Anticipated Death; Caring through Sudden Death; Meeting with Family before the Funeral Service; Creating the Funeral Service; Creating the Funeral Sermon; and Following up with Grievers