How funerals reflect beliefs about the afterlife
There are many different elements of the Christian funeral service which reflect the different Christian beliefs about the afterlife.
The Christian funeral service usually takes place in a church or chapel and is usually led by a member of the clergy, eg a priest, vicar or minister.
Lighting a candle
A candle is often lit during the Christian funeral ceremony. This is done to symbolise Jesus as the light of the world, and it is believed that because of Jesus, humans have been saved from sin and can enter Heaven.
Biblical readings and hymns
Passages are read from the Bible during the Christian funeral service and hymns are sung. The purpose of these passages and hymns are often to provide support for the family of the deceased.
Psalm 23 can be read or sung at a funeral:
Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me
Burial
Following the funeral service, the traditional choice for Christians was to be buried. This is because Christians believed that the body needed to be intact for the physical resurrection of the body. Today, some Christians choose to be cremated, as it is believed by many that it is only the soul that goes on to the afterlife. When the bodies are lowered into the ground the vicar, priest or minister will often say the words "Ashes to ashes, dust to dust". This is to symbolise that humanity was made from the ground and will return to the ground.
