Episode 50: How not to Bury Your Ministry in Funerals
Know the expectations:
Early On:
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Develop a relationship with your local funeral directors.
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Meet with the family at the funeral home if possible. Harder in larger cities and with corporate services.
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Ask and listen for personal stories.
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Encourage the family and pray often.
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Plan to be flexible.
Planning you service:
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Obituary versus opening thoughts or Scripture
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How much music? Slide shows and/or pictures?
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Will others be speaking/ will there be an open mic?
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Putting your message together
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Use outside resources to help create a database of passages
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Be both honest and loving
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Be evangelistic within your role as a comforter of the grieving.
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Use personal touches
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Use the loved one's Bible if possible
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Usually 20 minutes tops
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Remember we can start to say the same things too often they lose impact.
Gravesides and follow-up: