memorial services | Religious Cults Info ~ Resources, Answers and Hope

These are the age old questions- Why am I here? What is my purpose? What happens after I die? No matter the shamans that arise, telling others they “know” the answers- the questions remain at the end of the day. Honest and some dishonest religious leaders arise to help the seekers. Some have a true desire to help folks find their answers and to live their personal convictions. Others seek inordinate profits and live in lavish lifestyles in trade for their ability to “hear God” and discern the “will of God”. This all while pontificating on some-one’s course in the hereafter…

No matter how solid the answers, at times, the questions arise again. This week I attended the funeral of my cousin, Jason Huddle. He was killed in an automobile accident on a curvy road that leads to his home. He was not far from home when his front right wheel dropped off the pavement and he over corrected hitting a tree and dying at the scene. He passed away at age 35, leaving a wife and step-daughter. My thoughts were many as I saw his father, mother, two brothers and their families walk through an ever increasing sea of emotions. As I watched the father and oldest brother stand before the casket just before the closure, I knew I had no way to relate to the intense emotions they must be feeling. Life truly is short. We remember the past, we live in the now, and we all face an unknown future. Certainly having some answers about the hereafter brings some peace for the here and now. One thing I can say, Jason encouraged me for 20 minutes on during a rough time in my life in August of 2009. We had not spoken much before then, but his fervor to encourage me will never be forgotten. Prayers for the entire family as in the days ahead they mourn over the loss of a son.

One event in my life has brought some answers when these questions arise over the years. The funeral this week reminded me of this event. When I was 9 or 10 years old, I played football for the Belle Heath Bull Pups in Radford, VA. We were at practice one afternoon doing drills. It was my turn to stand at the end of a double row of tires. Another player was to put one foot in each tire and then pop the guy at the end. Darryl Boothe was coming down the line of tires. He was always intense. He popped me and I remember leaning over and heading for the ground. I do not remember hitting the ground. Next, it felt like I went out through my face and then began to hover over the scene. I could see my body on the ground. The coach, Mike, had on a black shirt and green fatigues. He was leaning over my body and then stepped over me from right to left. Next, I felt as if I was being drawn back in through my face. My eyes could see but, then they were closed. I blinked a few times and my eyes seemed to “reconnect” and finally open. Coach then called off practice and the team started to walk away as someone helped me to my feet. Kent Hall came up beside me and asked if I was okay. I asked him if the coach had stepped over me as I was laying down, from my left to right? He said, “Yes, how did you know that? Your eyes were closed.” I told him I didn’t know, I just saw it.

Continue reading Life is Short – And Then ?? →

Memorial services at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) were times to bring in family members and other visitors. Jane Whaley would deliver the key address or eulogy about the person who had passed away. Family members, church members or other friends of the deceased would be allowed to come to the podium and speak about their memories of the person. Every effort was made to make the family and visitors comfortable. I never witnessed a memorial service with loud prayer, blasting, deliverance, open rebukes for WOFF members or “church-family matters” being discussed. No offerings were taken or announcements made when family or visitors were already in the sanctuary. These were times to “put your best foot forward”- so to speak.

Before every “special” service or seminar, the church would be cleaned top to bottom. (literally) The chandeliers would be cleaned all the way down the baseboards. Air return vents would be cleaned. Years ago, before one special service, (I don’t remember which one) I was with a group of men in the sanctuary men’s bathroom with toothbrushes scrubbing the grout between the tiles in the floor. If the wall paint or trim paint was scuffed, it would be cleaned and/or painted. The carpet could get a cleaning as well as the brass door plates polished. The landscaping around the building was inspected for weeds. The school building may be subject to the same cleaning, especially if visitors would be invited to view the school after the meeting or service.

The memorial services were rehearsed and planned to the most minute detail. Each song was practiced and met with Jane’s direction and approval. Seating was planned as family and visitors would be in the front two or three rows of the middle section of the sanctuary. Many times, during a memorial service there would be portraits of the person who had passed, placed in the front of the sanctuary with a few tasteful flower arrangements . There would also be a pictorial presentation of that person’s past shown on a large screen up front. Music would accompany the slide show, at times. There was a bulletin with the order of service printed. This was only done for special services such as educational conferences, graduations, weddings and memorial services. Weekly services had no printed program or order of service. The weekly services were always subject to change according to Jane Whaley’s directions.

Following the memorial service, the family, friends and members close to the deceased would be led to the fellowship hall for a reception. The food was mainly supplied by members of WOFF. The youth or young adults would usually be called on the serve the food and take up the dishes. Certain groups would be assigned clean-up tasks. All assignments to help would be announced just before or during the practice for the memorial service. Each situation was different in deciding the place for the children. Some times, the children would gather in the school building for the service, watching on closed circuit monitors. (televisions) After the service, they would have their own refreshments in the school cafeteria. Since the fellowship time for the adults could extend a couple of hours, the children would be allowed to fellowship and play games.

Continue reading Memorial Service Music Concerns “the Toddlers” →