by Thomas G. Long
An essential guide for understanding, planning, and conducting meaningful and theologically sound funerals from Thomas G. Long, one of America’s most trusted and thoughtful pulpit voices.
—Thomas Lynch, author of The Undertaking, winner of the 1998 American Book Award and finalist for the National Book Award
"Thomas Long has devoted more than two decades to exploring critically the academic and pastoral literature on this topic while engaged personally in active ministry with the people whose stories so richly illustrate the work throughout. He has given us a book as creative as the title promises, both readable and broad, that pastoral caregivers and both college and seminary professors will welcome enthusiastically."
—H. Richard Rutherford, C.S.C., University of Portland, Portland, Oregon, and author of Death of a Christian: The Order of Christian Funerals
Thomas G. Long, one of America’s most trusted and thoughtful pulpit voices, provides a much needed theological and cultural critique of today’s Christian funeral.
Long begins by describing how the Christian funeral developed historically, theologically, and liturgically, and then discusses recent cultural trends in funeral practices, including the rise in cremations and memorial services. He describes the basic pattern for a funeral service, details options in funeral planning, identifies characteristics of a “good funeral,” and provides thoughtful guidance for preaching at a funeral.
But Long also notes a disturbing trend toward funeral services that seem theologically right and pastorally caring, but actually depart from the primary aims of the Christian funeral. Long argues that the proper Christian funeral should be constructed around the metaphor of the deceased as a saint traveling on a baptismal journey toward God, accompanied by the community of faith on “the last mile of the way.” He cautions that the cultural conditions for maintaining this view are under stress and a new, less theological and less satisfying metaphor that focuses on the mourner has begun to erode the Christian view. He contrasts the ancient grand community drama with today’s trend toward body-less memorial services that focus primarily on the living and grief management, arguing that this is a loss for the church and calling for the church to reclaim the classic metaphor.
Accompany Them with Singing is a practical and theologically sound resource for Protestant and Roman Catholic clergy and an illuminating work for funeral professionals, as well.
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