Purpose And Value Of The Funeral- Test 3

Question 1

The funeral is the most accessible and most adequate resource for this purpose, and the most economical. The funeral has the great advantage of being generally understood, and of processing the resources for meeting the varied social, emotional, and spiritual needs of the bereaved. Each step of the way has its own built-in wisdom for helping people do what is essential for wisely managing the crisis of death.

Answer 1

1. It provides acting-out ceremonies that give expression to feelings too deep to be put into words.

Question 2

It makes it possible for people to get together, to visit, to communicate and to relate to each other. It provides many ways for people to express love and concern and it makes people feel comfortable in doing what would otherwise be more distressing.

Answer 2

2. It provides the framework for group support.

Question 3

The whole funeral process is a feeling- oriented activity. Feelings are so important that they need to be recognized and expressed.

Answer 3

3. It encourages the expression of feelings.

Question 4

It confirms the value of life in the presence of death. It not only shows respect for the dead, but also for the living. Each funeral carries with it challenges to a new and better life.

Answer 4

4. The funeral provides values to live by.

Question 5

1. Provides an opportunity to receive and express love.
2. Shows respect to the deceased’s family and friends.
3. Provides opportunity to express grief.
4. Provides a face-to-face confrontation with death which confirms its reality.
5. Allows emotional support through sharing- “Joy expressed is joy increased my grief shared is grief diminished.”
6. Meets the needs theologically, psychologically, and socially, of those who mourn.
7. Provides an opportunity for farewell through ritual.
8. Provides a dramatic representation of the fact that a life has been lived by reflecting upon memories of the deceased.
9. Helps establish emotional stability through a social support network.
10. Establishes a socially acceptable climate for mourning.

Answer 5

The American Board of Funeral Service Education summarizes nicely the purpose and values of the funeral ritual.

Question 6

• 279 books on death, grief, and bereavement were reviewed.
• 167 books discussed funerals
• 88% of the books that discussed funerals stated they were helpful to the bereaved in adjusting to their loss.

Answer 6

Books on death, grief, and bereavement.

Question 7

1. It provides acting-out ceremonies that give expression to feelings too deep to be put into words.
2. It provides the framework for group support.
3. It encourages the expression of feelings.
4. The funeral provides values to live by.

Answer 7

Todd Van Beck’s -the funeral does 4 specific things that are available to everyone.