As a vicar part of my work includes conducting funerals.  As a church, we cannot remember when there have been so many. Funeral directors in Harpenden likewise note that it has been one of the busiest times.

The death of a loved one is always difficult and painful, even when it comes at the end of a long life or as a relief to prolonged suffering.  At a funeral, we gather to say our last goodbyes.

Often as we face death, especially when it comes early or in tragic circumstances, we ask, why did this happen?  Where is God?  It is normal to have such thoughts and feelings. It is part of dealing with the hole in our heart that death brings.

And where is God as we face the death of a loved one? He is in the love and affection people offer to comfort the family.  He is there in the love of family that hold one another as they share tears of grief.  He is there in the words of kindness we say to reassure when all seems a bit bleak. 

The Christian hope is that death is not the end, that God gives to his children eternal life.  In this life, we lose the ones we love in death. 

One day, however, we shall all be reunited in the new life God has for us after death.  This is part of the hope that helps us to bear the tragedy of death.

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