A Note from Pastor: Funeral Planning

June 29th, 2025
by Web Master

We have come to the conclusion of Pastor's Bible Study on funeral planning and preparations. Below is the general outline and suggestions from that study. Expand each area to view the details.

Content has been edited from the PowerPoint for readability.

Additional Funeral Planning Resource:

Pr. Bryan Wolfmueller: Final Victory: Contemplating the Death and Funeral of a Christian

What Does Scripture and the Church Confess about Death & The Resurrection?

The Third Article of the Apostles’ Creed:
Of Sanctification.
I believe in the Holy Ghost; one holy Christian Church, the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
What does this mean?--Answer.
I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Ghost has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith; even as He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith; in which Christian Church He forgives daily and richly all sins to me and all believers, and at the last day will raise up me and all the dead, and will give to me and to all believers in Christ everlasting life. This is most certainly true.
1 Cor. 6:19-20
The Resurrection of the Body and the Life Everlasting
Expanded Explanation of Third Article of the Creed, Small Catechism (SC187-192)
SC187: What do the Scriptures say about the resurrection of the body?
“They teach that on the Last Day, Christ will “raise me and all the dead.” The same bodies that have died shall be made alive.
Job 19:25-27
John 5:28-29
1 Thess. 4:16
SC188 Are people reborn in bodies or forms?
Reincarnation, the belief that when people die they are reborn in other bodies or in a series of other bodies, is contrary to Scripture.
Heb. 9:27-28
1 Cor. 15
SC 189 What difference is there between believers and unbelievers in the resurrection?
The believers will rise with glorified bodies and enter everlasting life in heaven with God.
Daniel 12:2
John 5:28-29
1 Cor. 15:42-43
Phil. 3:21
The unbelievers will rise to eternal death, that is, to shame and torment in hell forever.
Isaiah 66:24
Matt. 10:28
Matt. 25:41
Rev. 1:7
SC190 To whom does God give eternal life?
God gives eternal life to me and all believers in Christ.
Eternal life is a present possession.
John 17:3
John 3:16
Rom. 10:9
John 3:36
At the time of death, the soul of a believer is immediately with Christ in heaven.
Eccl. 12:7
Luke 23:43
John 17:24
Phil. 1:23-24
Rev. 4:13
At the Last Day the believers, in both body and soul will begin the full enjoyment of being with Christ forever.
1 Cor. 15:51-52
Matt. 25:34
Ps. 16:11

Before The Funeral

First and foremost, call your pastor - he is there to deliver God's gifts that you may depart with a clean conscience assured of God's promises are true for you.

Specific opportunities to have your Pastor present:

Commendation of the Dying – Witness before death.
Comforting the Dying and the Remaining Family:
- The Promises of the Cross and the Gospel:
  - Genesis 3:15
  - Romans 5:1-11
  - John 3:16
  - Corinthians 1:18-20
- Baptism
  - Romans 6:1-5
  - 1 Peter 3:16-22
- Absolution
  - Luke 23:32-43
  - John 20:19-23
- Holy Communion
  - Matthew 26:26-29
  - John 6:54-58
- Easter
  - John
  - Luke 24
- Heaven and The Resurrection of the Dead
  - Job 19:23-27
  - John 14:1-7
  - 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
  - Rev 7:13-17
With the Family at the Viewing of the Body
Visitation
- Location (preferably in the church)
- Date
- Time
- Refreshments?

Funeral Service

Note: Cremation is not preferred. DEFINITELY DO NOT SCATTER!!!  “Then I took the sinful thing, the calf that you had made, and burned it with fire and crushed it, grinding it very small, until it was as fine as dust. And I threw the dust of it into the brook that ran down from the mountain.” Deuteronomy 9:21
The funeral is not ultimately about YOU (You‘ll be in heaven).
- 1 Peter 3:13-17
- Romans 10:10-17
- Romans 10:9
The focus is the Word. And especially the Gospel.

Rite of Christian Burial LSB 278-281

Hymn or Psalm
Invocation
Remembrance of Baptism
Introit, Psalm, or Entrance Hymn
Kyrie
Salutation and Collect of the Day
Old Testament or First Reading
Psalm of Gradual
Epistle or Second Reading
Verse
Example: General / Lent

Alleluia, alleluia

Jesus is the firstborn of the dead;

To Him be the glory and power forever.

Alleluia.

If we have died with Christ,

We shall also live with Him;

If we are faithful to the end,

We shall reign with Him.

Alleluia,

Holy Gospel
Apostles’ Creed
Hymn of the Day
Prayer of the Church
Lord’s Prayer
Nunc Dimittis
Concluding Collect
Benedicamus and Benediction

Scripture Reading Suggestions

Below are suggested readings to consider. If in doubt, feel free to consult with pastor.

Confirmation verse: (Pastor Johnson's: Psalm 95:1)
Favorite Bible verses/stories:
Old Testament:
- Gen 3:8-15
- Job 19:23-27
- Ecc. 3:1-8
- Isaiah 25:6-9
- Isaiah. 41:8-10, 43:1-5, 44:6-8;
- Jeremiah 31:8-13
- Isaiah 55:1-3, 6-13
- Psalm 1, 18, 23, 27, 28, 33, 46, 51, 91, 98, 118, 119:105, 121, 130, 149
Favorite hymns (Great hymns make great texts for Sermons – Especially our Lutheran Hymns!):
Epistle Readings
- Romans 1:16-7; 3:21-26; 5:1-11; 6:1-5; 8:31-39
- 2 Corinthians 15:12-26, 50-58
- Eph. 1:3-14; 2:1-10
- Phil. 2:1-11
- 1 Thess. 4:13-18
- 1 Peter 1:3-9
- 1 Peter 3:18-22
- Hebrews 12:1-12
- 1 John 2:28-3:3
- Rev. 7:9-12, 13-17; 21:1-4
Gospel Readings
- Matthew 5:1-10; 8:5-13; 10:26-33
- Matthew 11:25-30; 16:13-17; 18:10-14
- Matthew 24:29-31
- Mark 5:35-43; 16:16
- Luke 7:11-17
- John 1:1-5, 29-34; 3:1-8, 16-21; 6:35-40, 47-51, 53-58;
- John 10:1-11, 14-27
- John 11:21-27; 14:1-6; 20:1-10

Choose Lutheran Hymns for Funerals

C.F.W. Walther’s thoughts on Hymnody
Carl Ferdinand Wilhelm Walther was first president and highly influential pastor of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.
From an essay from 1883, shortly before he died: “A preacher of our church also has the holy duty to give souls entrusted to his care pure spiritual food, indeed the very best that he can possibly obtain. In Methodist (Baptist, Evangelical, Charismatic, Pentecostal, etc.) songs, there is much that is false and contains spiritual poison for the soul…if the preacher claims that he allows only “correct “ hymns to be sung, this does not excuse him.”

Picking the hymns:

Rule 1: Content
- Is pure doctrine clearly taught?
Rule 2: Authorship
- Is it an orthodox author and composer?
Rule 3: Zeitgeist
- When was it written?
- The century or decade will often reflect the “Spirit of the Age,” in content and style.

Example Hymns

Hymn Author Paul Gerhardt

Paul Gerhardt (12 March 1607 – 27 May 1676) was a German theologian, Lutheran minister and hymnodist. He experienced persecution during the Thirty Years War, by both the Papacy and Reformed churches. His wife and several of his children during his lifetime and he also experienced much sickness. Gerhardt is considered Germany's greatest hymn writer. Many of his best-known hymns were originally published in Brandenburg in 1658. Pastor Gerhardt has 17 hymns in the Lutheran Service Book alone.

LSB 756: Why Should Cross and Trial Grieve Me 

1 Why should cross and trial grieve me?

Christ is near

with his cheer;

never will he leave me.

Who can rob me of the heaven

that God's Son

for my own

to my faith hath given?

2 God oft gives me days of gladness;

shall I grieve

if he give

seasons, too, of sadness?

God is good and tempers ever

all my ill,

and he will

wholly leave me never.

3 Death cannot destroy forever;

from our fears,

cares, and tears

it will us deliver.

It will close life's mournful story;

make a way

that we may

enter heav'nly glory.

4 Lord, my Shepherd, take me to thee.

Thou art mine;

I was thine,

even ere I knew thee.

I am thine, for thou hast bought me;

lost I stood,

but thy blood

free salvation brought me.

5 Thou art mine; I love and own thee.

Light of joy,

ne'er shall I

from my heart dethrone thee.

Savior, let me soon behold thee

face to face;

may thy grace

evermore enfold me.

LSB 566: By Grace I’m Saved
See Also: LSB 745 In God, My Faithful God

1 By grace I'm saved, grace free and boundless;

My soul, believe and doubt it not.

Why stagger at this word of promise?

Has Scripture ever falsehood taught?

No! Then this word must true remain;

By grace you too will life obtain.

2 By grace! None dare lay claim to merit;

Our works and conduct have no worth.

God in His love sent our Redeemer,

Christ Jesus, to this sinful earth;

His death did for our sins atone,

And we are saved by grace alone.

3 By grace God's Son, our only Savior,

Came down to earth to bear our sin.

Was it because of your own merit

That Jesus died your soul to win?

No, it was grace, and grace alone,

That brought Him from His heav'nly throne.

4 By grace! This ground of faith is certain;

So long as God is true, it stands.

What saints have penned by inspiration,

What in His Word our God commands,

Our faith in what our God has done

Depends on grace--grace through His Son.

5 By grace to timid hearts that tremble,

In tribulation's furnace tried,

By grace, in spite of fear and trouble,

The Father's heart is open wide.

Where could I help and strength secure

If grace were not my anchor sure?

6 By grace! On this I'll rest when dying;

In Jesus' promise I rejoice;

For though I know my heart's condition,

I also know my Savior's voice.

My heart is glad, all grief has flown

Since I am saved by grace alone.

Hymn Author: Philipp Nicolai

He was the author of two famous hymns: Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme and Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern, sometimes referred to as the King and Queen of Chorales, respectively. These two chorales have inspired many composers, including Johann Sebastian Bach, whose chorale cantatas Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern, BWV 1, and Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 140, are based on them.[6] Bach's organ transcription of the latter, as published in the Schübler Chorales, has become world famous.

LSB 516: Wake, Awake, for Night is Flying

1 "Wake, awake, for night is flying,"

The watchmen on the heights are crying;

"Awake, Jerusalem, arise!"

Midnight hears the welcome voices

And at the thrilling cry rejoices;

"Oh, where are ye, ye virgins wise?

The Bridegroom comes, awake!

Your lamps with gladness take!

Allelujah!

With bridal care

Yourselves prepare

To meet the Bridegroom, who is near."

2 Zion hears the watchmen singing,

And all her heart with joy is springing;

She wakes, she rises from her gloom.

For her Lord comes down all-glorious,

The strong in grace, in truth victorious;

Her star is ris'n, her light is come.

Now come, Thou Blessed One,

Lord Jesus, God's own Son,

Hail! Hosanna!

We enter all

The wedding hall

To eat the Supper at Thy call.

3 Now let all the heav'ns adore Thee,

Let saints and angels sing before Thee

With harp and cymbals' clearest tone.

Of one pearl each shining portal,

Where, joining with the choir immortal,

We gather round Thy radiant throne.

No eye has seen the light,

No ear has heard the might

Of Thy glory;

Therefore will we

Eternally

Sing hymns of praise and joy to Thee!

Hymn Text Comparison (see links due to copyright)

Common Funeral Hymn: LSB 801: How Great Thou Art
- While a favorite, it is not a clear of or substantive a choice.
Better Choice: LSB 713: From God Can Nothing Move Me

Hymn Text Author: Ludwig Helmbold

Ludwig Helmbold, also spelled Ludwig Heimbold, (21 January 1532 – 8 April 1598) was a poet of Lutheran hymns. He is probably best known for his hymn "Nun laßt uns Gott dem Herren", of which J. S. Bach used the fifth stanza for his cantata O heilges Geist- und Wasserbad, Helmbold was born in Mühlhausen. He became a professor of Philosophy an der Erfurt University in 1554. In 1571 he was appointed a minister at the Marienkirche in Mühlhausen, later as Superintendent.[2]
iii. Von Gott will ich nicht lassen. Trust in God. Lauxmann in Koch, viii. 365-370, thus relates the origin of this the best known hymn by Helmbold:—
In 1563, while Helmbold was conrector of the Gymnasium at Erfurt, a pestilence broke out, during which about 4000 of the inhabitants died. As all who could fled from the place, Dr. Pancratius Helbich, Rector of the University (with whom Helmbold bad formed a special friendship, and whose wife was godmother of his eldest daughter), was about to do so, leaving behind him Helmbold and his family. Gloomy forebodings filled the hearts of the parting mothers. To console them and nerve them for parting Helmbold composed this hymn on Psalm lxxiii. v. 23.

Comparison of Texts and why our Lutheran hymnody gives a better confession.

	I Love to Tell The Story	By Grace I’m Saved (LSB 566)
Verse 1	I love to tell the story Of unseen things above, Of Jesus and his glory, Of Jesus and his love. Refrain: I love to tell the story, 'twill be my theme in glory, To tell the old, old story Of Jesus and his love.	By grace I’m saved, grace free and boundless; My soul, believe and doubt it not; Why stagger at this word of promise? Hath Scripture ever falsehood taught? Nay; then this word must true remain: By grace thou, too, shalt Heav’n obtain.
Verse 2	I love to tell the story, Because I know 'tis true; It satisfies my longings As nothing else can do. Refrain: I love to tell the story, 'twill be my theme in glory, To tell the old, old story Of Jesus and his love.	By grace! None dare lay claim to merit; Our works and conduct have no worth, God in His love sent our Redeemer, Christ Jesus, to this sinful earth; His death did for our sins atone, And we are saved by grace alone.
Verse 3	I love to tell the story, For those who know it best Seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest. Refrain: I love to tell the story, 'twill be my theme in glory, To tell the old, old story Of Jesus and his love.	By grace! O, mark this word of promise When thou art by thy sins oppressed, When Satan plagues thy troubled conscience, And when thy heart is seeking rest. What reason cannot comprehend God by His grace to thee doth send.
Verse 4	And when, in scenes of glory, I sing the new, new song, 'twill be the old, old story That I have loved so long. Refrain: I love to tell the story, 'twill be my theme in glory, To tell the old, old story Of Jesus and his love.	By grace! This ground of faith is certain; So long as God is true, it stands. What saints have penned by inspiration, What in His Word our God commands, What our whole faith must rest upon, Is grace alone, grace in His Son.