LCC's Funeral Ministry: Being There for One Another

This week was a busy one at Lockwood as we hosted two memorial services on back-to-back days, one on Monday and one on Tuesday. Both services were for members of our congregation, and both families have a surviving spouse who continues to be part of our church family.

It was a good reminder of just how much goes into caring for families during a time of loss, and how thankful we are for the many people who step up to help.

There is actually quite a bit of planning involved in hosting a memorial service. There are families to communicate with, a sanctuary to prepare, technology and music to arrange, guests to welcome, and, in many cases, a luncheon to organize. The luncheons alone involve a lot of people! Someone has to plan the meal, shop, cook, gather donated salads and desserts, set up tables, serve guests, and clean everything up afterward.

For years, much of the coordination fell on the church office. While we were always glad to help, times like these could stretch the office pretty thin. Two memorial services in a row would have been more than a little overwhelming!

Thankfully, Jeanne saw a need and stepped up to do something about it. She was determined to organize a Funeral Ministry so that the many responsibilities could be shared among more people. Keli also plays an important role in coordinating the meal teams and all the volunteers who help make the luncheons possible. What a blessing it is to have people willing to take ownership and serve in this way!

Today, there are several teams of people who help make these services happen. Jeanne coordinates much of the ministry, and Keli leads the meal team, along with the many people who help prepare, serve, and clean up after the luncheons. There are also people who greet families and guests, take care of the building, run the sound and technology, arrange music, and handle all the little details that make a difference. Some donate food, some volunteer their time, and others help behind the scenes. It really does take a group effort, and we are so grateful for everyone who is willing to serve.

But as important as all that behind-the-scenes work is, there is another part of memorial services that we don't want to overlook: simply being there.

When someone loses a spouse or another loved one, having people show up for them means a lot. A familiar face, a hug, a few kind words, or just someone sitting nearby can be a real encouragement. The luncheon afterward is another opportunity to spend time with the family, share memories, and let them know they aren't going through this alone.

It's also worth remembering that memorial services often bring people into our church who might not otherwise walk through our doors. Friends, extended family members, and others who may not have a church home are there to remember someone they loved. It's an opportunity for them to hear the hope we have in Christ and, just as importantly, to experience His love through the kindness and care of the people around them.

One thing we hope our church family takes away from this is just how much it can mean to have people show up during a time of loss. We may not know the person who passed away very well, or we may not know their family personally, but our presence can still make a difference.

You don't always need to have the right words to say. Sometimes a familiar face, a hug, or simply being there is enough to remind someone that they aren't alone. It's one of the ways we can show that being part of a church family means something beyond Sunday mornings.

We talk a lot about being a church family, and these are some of the moments when that really matters. We celebrate together, worship together, and enjoy being together, but we also have the privilege of walking alongside one another through the difficult seasons of life.

We are so thankful for Jeanne, Keli, and everyone who gives their time and energy to make our Funeral Ministry possible. There are a lot of people who make these services happen, and much of their work goes unseen. But to the families being served, it makes a real difference. We're grateful to be part of a church family that cares for one another, not just in the good times, but in the difficult ones, too.