Expert: Dr. Ronald E. Shultz - 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
Hmm, it is not practiced by Baptists here in the US.  I assume you are referring to something like the Day of the Dead practiced by Latino Catholics primarily, but is spreading around the world.  Technically, the only ones who know for certain that a person is saved is that person and God.  Many people who claim to be saved and may even seem to be saved by our perspective may not be saved and are tares.  People who live an unsaved life can be saved even as they are dying so while we may think they went to Hell they actually went to Heaven.  All I can go on is their profession of faith and if they at least seem to be bringing forth fruit or seeking to grow in God. I have known people who thought they were saved for years and then came to the conviction that they were not saved and got it settled.  

When people die the funeral is about the living and not the dead.  Even lost people are loved and so you are there to comfort the loved ones and point them to Christ.  This can be done without saying where you think the person is in the next life.  Unless I am told the person was a professing believer I don't say one way or the other and concentrate on the living.

Some Christians, especially of Indian origin, do have a memorial service one year after the death of a loved one and this usually is where people speak of what the person meant to them.  Yes, in the course of that, someone may speak of the person being in Heaven because that is their heart's hope. The heart often speaks what the brain does not want to comprehend.  No one wants a loved one in Hell.  I am not going to pull them to the side and tell them that it is more likely their loved one is in Hell.  I suppose if the person was a blatant atheist I could be somewhat assured that they are in Hell, but many professed atheists have changed their mind and sought God in their final moments.  

Hence, it is hard to say in many cases that it is a known fact that the person went to Hell. Yes, I am confident that Hitler, Stalin and some others are in Hell, but since I only deal with average people and do not know all the facts I avoid making that call with them.  I have had many situations where it would be hard pressed for me to look at the person's life and say they are not in Hell, but since I will only be in Heaven by the grace of God and I know the new birth can happen in a manner of minutes I still have to say I don't know.  If I were at his bedside when he died screaming about the flames and demons then without a doubt I  know they went to Hell. Other than that I hope they were saved in their last breath.

Would a thanksgiving service for a person in Hell be unfounded?  Maybe, if you know for sure they are in Hell, but still if the person did some things that touched someone's life in a positive way it is OK to be thankful to God for that without saying anything about where they might be presently located.  The service is about the person's life not his/her after life address. Such a service in not required by God.  This is something people came up with to help them with their grief.  It may now only be a ritual or tradition.  If it is not really helping the grief process then it should be discontinued, but it is unlikely that will happen.  Traditions and rituals die hard.

Don't let this be a stumbling block in your faith. If it bothers you, do not attend such a service and make your will known that you do not want such a thing at your death.  I don't believe that it is a sin.  A mistake, maybe, but not a sin.  

Peace be unto you as you seek to walk in His will revealed in His Word and by His Spirit.