Introduction
When someone loses a loved one, it is the most challenging time in their life. If the individual were the family’s sole provider, the situation would worsen. Everyone in the family is left wondering where they will get help. When a spouse dies, the mourning process is intense. (John 16:22)[1] encourages Christians to mourn sometimes, but God will see them again, and they will rejoice.
Additionally, no one will take away their joy. The situation has an impact on friends and coworkers as well. Chaplains play an essential role in providing comfort to family and friends during the bereavement process. Because the final ceremonies are an integral part of the healing process, it is critical to understand how a funeral home operates. (Matthew 11:28-30)[2] encourages those Christians who are exhausted and troubled to go to Christ because he will give them a rest. Christians should take the yoke of God upon them and learn from Him, for he is kind and self-effacing in heart, and they will find rest for their souls. Christ’s yoke is relaxed, and His load is light Christians should take it.
Understanding how a funeral home operates helps people understand how the body is cared for and handled by family members. The funeral home also specifies who can view the body and when. The funeral home adheres to religious customs. Different religions deal with death in different ways. I had an opportunity to interview Mr. Beresford, the proprietor and director of the Beresford memorial home in Houston.[3] During the interview, I enquired from Mr. Beresford about the operations of his funeral home and how they deal with their clients. The two main concerns that I concentrated on were caring for the body and their obligation to consol the affected family.
Respect for the dead
On January 8, 2022, I interviewed Mr. Beresford at his funeral home. The calm atmosphere gave me peace when I reached the funeral home. I approached the receptionist, who greeted me with warmth and courtesy. I explained to her the reason for my visit, and she guided me to Mr. Beresford’s office. I saw some people who had come to give their last respects before taking the body from the funeral home. When I entered his office, he welcomed me to a seat and offered me some snacks. After the inductions, I began the interview by inquiring about funeral home practices.
Mr. Beresford explained that their work begins when they announce death from the hospital or receive the body if the person died at home. He clarified that the cause of death, gender, place of death, and time of death are all highlighted in the death notification. When bodies are brought in, family members are requested to give details. The information offered also comprises the person’s spiritual membership and requirements. Religious affiliation is crucial because it informs the funeral home whether the casket will be open or closed and whether the body will leave it before twenty-four hours.
In (Acts 17:26-27),[4] God acknowledged cultural diversity by stating that he made every nation of humanity from one man to live on all the face of the earth. They have established prearranged periods and the borders of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, hoping that they might feel their way toward him and discover him. Nonetheless, he is not far from all of them. After disclosing the information, preparing the body and the family to receive it begins. The funeral is designed with the help of the family.
The dead are treated with dignity. The body is mainly wrapped to display respect when it reaches the memorial home. (Ecclesiastes 9:5) [5]emphasizes that the living know they will die, but the dead know nothing, and they have no more recompense because their memory is forgotten. The family provides the individual’s desires and path, which aids in preparation. The initial step is bathing and disinfecting the body. The main aim is to uphold health principles and honor the dead. He stated that the next step is to embalm the body. The primary goal of that act is to temporarily preserve the body to slow the alterations that occur immediately after demise. Embalming fluid replaces the deceased’s blood during the embalming process. The exercise lets the body be observed through an open casket, conserves the body for transportation, and permits family and colleagues to prepare for the burial.
(Psalms 103:13-16) [6]emphasizes that a father has compassion for his children. Similarly, the Lord has sympathy for those who fear him. He is aware of the believer’s physicality; he recalls that they are dust. As for gentleman, his existences are comparable to grass; blooms like an arena of flower; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its dwelling no longer recognizes it.[7] He went on to say that restoration services are provided when a person is involved in an accident. The activity is performed before embalming. At that stage, the family also informs about their disposition method. Following embalming and preparation, the departed is dressed.
Mr. Beresford emphasized that religious beliefs and burial preferences influence the choice of coffin dressing or souvenirs. Some choose new clothes, while others select what the deceased preferred to wear. ( Romans 12:2) [8]emphasizes that believers should not conform to the world’s pattern. Instead, they should be transformed by the renewing of their mind. Then they will be able to examine and accept God’s will, which is upright, pleasing, and flawless.
Additionally, the family can decide whether or not the deceased should wear jewels, charms, wristwatches, or glasses based on their preferences. If a family wishes to have an open casket before the burial, a skilled individual ensures that the deceased has been applied makeup to look their best when observed. I was curious regarding how military personnel who visited his funeral home were treated. He assured me that every family member entering the building was treated equally.[9] He did, however, emphasize that military personnel are given additional recognition. (1 Timothy 5:17)[10] underlines that the elders who rule well should be considered worthy of dual respect, particularly those who labor in evangelization and teaching. He informed me that the soldier would receive soldierly consideration, a veteran celebratory marker and that any veterans’ support would be organized.
The family
Mr. Beresford also mentioned how his funeral home takes care of the family. He informed me that predetermination counselors are available in the facility to assist the family in their time of grief. The funeral home director safeguards that the desires of family members to their respected ones are achieved. On the other hand, prearrangement therapists assist the family during that trying time. (Romans 8:18)[11] states that believers should not compare their present sufferings with the glory revealed to them. The funeral home director emphasized that predetermination counselors’ involvement over the years has assisted them to be successful in their activities. He also stated that the counseling service is available to the immediate household and other neighboring counseling amenities.
The funeral home director also informed me that the funeral home assists families in transporting their loved ones to various locations. They can transport the dead from their home to the memorial home. On the other hand, from the monument home to the ceremony site. He also told me that he plays a critical role in helping burial preparations. When people lose their loved ones, they tend to be confused and stressed. (Revelation 21:4)[12] reminds the believers that Christ will wipe away all their tears. Since the ancient order of activities has been abolished, there will be no more demise, grief, crying, or agony. Families can effectively organize the final ceremony with the director’s assistance. He told me that he assists families in scheduling disposition time based on their spiritual and cultural beliefs.[13] The ceremony’s date and location must also be determined as part of the planning. During this time, families will also discuss whether or not a visitation will be held and the nature of the graveside service. He went on to say that in the case of the military, he assists in the planning of military honor presentations.
After the preparation and planning, the funeral home manages the service. He emphasized that they would assist the families in ensuring that the venue was booked and ready on time for the service. The management makes sure that all plans made with the family are carried out to avoid confusion. (Psalm 73:26)[14] reminds believers that their flesh and their hearts may fail, but God will remain to be the strength of their hearts and their portion forever. He emphasized that his team is in charge of printing and distributing service plans to visitors.[15] They also make certain that the photo boards chosen by the family for display are properly placed. He told me that what sets them apart is their ability to provide various services such as flower arrangements and catering as needed by the family. He stated that he is committed to directing guests to ensure that the family receives the peace they require during all ceremonies.
The additional questions that I still have for the funeral home director are; how do they deal with the dead bodies, and whose identities are not recognized? Are the military chaplains’ bodies preserved the same way those of other people? The recommendations that the funeral director had to share with me as a chaplain were that I should also play a critical role in comforting those grieving and those who have lost their loved ones. My essential takeaways were that military chaplains are awarded double honors, religious beliefs influence how a body is preserved. Finally, prearrangement counselors are available in the facility to assist the family in their time of grief. I will implement the insights gleaned by teaching them to workers of the funeral homes opened in the future. I will also enlighten my fellow chaplains.
Conclusion
Christians run the funeral home, but they accept religious and social diversity. They believe that respecting others aids in the spread of God’s love, particularly during times of grief. The funeral home attendants finally respect and honor the deceased, regardless of religion or culture, out of respect and love. I am grateful for my time with Mr. Beresford and my lessons. Having visited a funeral home, I understand the significance of bearing witness to the bereaved. Those suffering will overcome the difficulties if chaplains are present and motivate them.
Bibliography
“Beresford Funeral Services” https://www.legacy.com/funeral-homes/texas/houston/beresfordfuneral-service. Accessed on (February 13, 2021)
Aude brand, Luc K., and Marcos Barros. “All equal in death? Fighting inequality in the contemporary funeral industry.” Organization Studies 39, no. 9 (2018): 1323-1343.
Kurzman, Dan. No Greater Glory: The Four Immortal Chaplains and the Sinking of the Dorchester in World War II. Random House, 2004.
Laing, John D. In Jesus’ Name: Evangelicals and Military Chaplaincy. Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2010.
Parkes, Colin Murray, Pittu Laungani, and William Young, eds. Death and bereavement across cultures. Routledge, 2015.
[1] John 16:22 ;King James Bible
[2] Matthew 11:28-30;King James Bible.
[3] “Beresford Funeral Services” https://www.legacy.com/funeral-homes/texas/houston/beresford-funeralservice. Accessed on (February 13, 2021).
[4] Acts 17:26-27;King James Bible.
[5] Ecclesiastes 9:5;King James Bible.
[6] Psalms 103:13-16;King James Bible.
[7] Laing, John D. In Jesus’ Name: Evangelicals and Military Chaplaincy. Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2010.
[8] Romans 12:2;King James Bible.
[9] Audebrand, Luc K., and Marcos Barros. “All equal in death? Fighting inequality in the contemporary funeral industry.” Organization Studies 39, no. 9 (2018): 1323-1343.
[10] 1 Timothy 5:17;King James Bible.
[11] Romans 8:18;King James Bible.
[12] Revelation 21:4;King James Bible.
[13] Parkes, Colin Murray, Pittu Laungani, and William Young, eds. Death and bereavement across cultures. Routledge, 2015.
[14] Psalm 73:26;King James Bible.
[15] Kurzman, Dan. No Greater Glory: The Four Immortal Chaplains and the Sinking of the Dorchester in World War II. Random House, 2004.
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