We have a funeral this morning for a dear woman of our congregation.  While there is obvious sorrow at such times, we do not grieve without hope. (see 1 Thess. 4:13)  No.  We have great hope.  Our hope is in Jesus Christ who is the Resurrection and the Life.  (see John 11)  We cling to Jesus who will raise up even our mortal bodies and make them like his glorious body.  (see Philippians 3:21)

After the service, after the luncheon, there will be the committal of her remains to their resting place with these words:

“We now commit her body to the ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust, in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ, who will change our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body, by he power that enables him to subdue all things to himself.

May God the Father, who created this body, may God the + Son who by his blood redeemed this body, may God the Holy Spirit who by Holy Baptism sanctified this body to be his temple, keep these remains to the day of the resurrection of all flesh. Amen.”