St. Mark's Lutheran Church
628 E. Chester Pike, Ridley Park, PA  19078

Christian Burial (Funerals)

 Our Lord Jesus Christ said that, “my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:40, NIV). He also taught that, “a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear [the voice of the Son of Man] and come out—those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned” (John 5:28b-29, NIV).

Dr. C.F.W. Walther, first president of the Missouri Synod, taught that pagans, Muslims, Jews, Unitarians, as well as those who would not attend worship or accept a visit from a pastor, should not receive Christian burial (Walther, p.229). He also taught the following:

Some preachers think that they must in every case accept the request to deliver a funeral sermon for one who has died since thereby an opportunity is granted to preach God’s Word. But they do not consider that a burial with Christian ceremonies is a privilege only for those about whom one can lovingly believe that they have fallen asleep in the Lord, and that despisers of God’s Word, who have remained the same until their death, are, according to God’s Word, not to be granted this final honor (Walther, p.229).

Guided by Holy Scripture, the confessions of the Lutheran Church, and sound Lutheran teaching, we believe the following with regards to the Rite of Christian Burial:

I. The focus of the Service of Christian Burial is on the hope of the resurrection from the dead that the one who has passed away has in Jesus Christ. Therefore:
a. service groups (fraternities, the legion) may hold separate services, but may not add to or detract from the confession of faith that is at the center of a Christian service for the dead by adding their own beliefs regarding the eternal destiny of the one who has fallen asleep,
b. eulogies, special poems and reflections should be given at a time separate from the service, unless they reinforce the Lutheran confession of the Christian faith,
c. the service and music will be chosen in consultation with, and with the approval of, the pastor and the congregation’s music director, and
d. only Missouri Synod clergy will officiate at the service
 

II. Baptized children or communicant members of the congregation who have fallen asleep in the Lord are to receive full Christian burial,
a. in the church’s building, or
b. in exceptional cases at a funeral home, and
c. an invitation will be given to all the deceased’s fellow Christian disciples.
 

III. Non-baptized children or non-communicant adults, even those who were members at one time in the past, unless they were in the process of becoming members or renewing their commitment to Christ’s Church, will not receive Christian burial.

 

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