Someone recently observed that Americans don't attend funerals much anymore. It's not a very pleasant thing to do, so we just don't go.
Funerals are sad, but they are also very important.
A funeral puts things into perspective. We need to face the reality of our friends passing away. We're reminded then about the things that are eternal, and that our life today really ought to be spent on ministering to others, taking care of family, kids, grandkids. And funerals for Christians, by the way, are happy and powerful, becuase our hope is eternal. A full archive of past Making Life Work articles is maintained.