Expert: Rev. Stuart Woodward - 1/29/2012

Question
It is common among Christians to conduct Thanks-giving services for the loved ones departed with the sentiment that they are with God. In event it is a known fact the departed soul is not SAVED isn’t the rationale of this act is unfounded?

Answer
Hello Nihal,
Thank you for your question. It raises interesting issues. First of all a funeral service is a right thing to hold when someone dies, as the service is for the benefit and comfort of the living rather than the one who dies. At a Christian funeral service the soul of the departed is commended to the judgment and mercy of God and that too is right. Also reference is given to resurrection morning when all will be raised to face the final aspect of their eternal destiny.
As no human being can possibly know what goes on in a human heart in the moments before death it is impossible for us to fully be sure that a person was not saved.
However, where I agree with you is that it is clearly wrong to use words in such a service which imply the person was saved when the likelihood is that he was not. It is still possible to give thanks for a person's life, the love he has shown, the praiseworthy aspects and so on but to give false hope is not right. That is why I believe a clear presentation of the Gospel should be an aspect of all thanksgiving services. Even where a person clearly was a believer and greatly respected as such it is important to talk more about the Lord and his grace than the person themselves.
I hope these comments are of some help.
May God bless you.
Stuart Woodward