funeral programs
funeral programs
funeral programs
Thinking about our deaths is not something we typically do. We tend to live life as we go. But we have to admit that one day our life will end and we will be leaving people we care about when that happen. With this knowledge it would be best to have everything ready once we reach the end of our earthly journey. This is when we consider having prearranged funeral plans to relieve our love ones of the task of contacting a funeral home, buying the casket and what cemetery we are going to be buried.
"Honey, Miss Kitty died last night. She's probably gone up to sit on Grandma's lap and keep her company." Give some time for the initial words to sink in and be prepared for whatever reaction. Most children can handle the word "died" much better than we give them credit for. By all means, you can put forward any religious belief you wish, but take the mystery out of it for the child and tell them the truth. Kids appreciate the truth. They need to know they can trust you, especially in times of crisis.
But what if you want to do a little better? What if you have the time and you know a bit of video editing and can hold your own in iMovie or Windows Movie Maker. How do you improve on the tried and tested (but just a bit worn out) traditional funeral slideshow? How do you create memorable tributes to loved ones which - more than just being shown at the funeral service - will be treasured for years to come. How do you create a funeral slideshow that becomes an heirloom?
Other murders are committed with dispassion, however. Serial killers leave the house with the intent to kill; their motivation may be pathological in nature, and perhaps they can't control themselves, but they plan to kill from the moment they set out. Armed robbers who gun down a convenience store clerk usually don't need to shoot the victim, yet they do anyway. A person who kills for a "thrill", or just to "watch someone die", does it dispassionately. They know in advance that it's wrong and they weigh their chances of getting caught, yet they do it anyway. The same is true for contract killers. For such people-those who kill dispassionately-the death penalty can be a deterrent.
Decide how the service will proceed. What music, scriptures, poetry, verses, stories will be included? Creating a program will help you to organize this part. Often times priests or pastors will help you create a program or if you want something more personalized there are funeral designers who will take care of all your funeral graphic needs.
Desire is rooted deep inside of your flesh; right down to the core of your heart. The reason desire is so deeply rooted is because flesh is not a "spiritual" force; that is to say flesh is not spiritual. It knows nothing but needs and wants. It does not reason, it only begs everyday for satisfaction. Essentially, your flesh wants to feel good and never feel bad (which is another fact that is so elementary, bible study groups neglect to point it out).
That it isn't the enemy it's caricatured to be? That it's all an illusion? That it's only the ego in you that has trouble living, aging, or dying? That the real you has no difficulty with any of these because the real you is eternal? Virtually every spiritual tradition teaches that the opposite of birth is death, not life. Life has no opposite. Life is eternal, which means you, the real you, is eternal, too.
Part of the honor of being asked to speak at someone's funeral is the opportunity to offer comfort through shared memories. If your favorite memory of someone might hurt someone's feelings, it's probably not appropriate. Think of this as an opportunity to bring the people attending the funeral closer together so they can help each other heal.