Funerals are not fun, but they do come with the job, so I am not complaining.  It is always a high honor to help someone walk through the “valley of the shadow of death.”  There were three funerals this week related to my ministry, each one with a unique opportunity to share Christ’s hope in death’s valley.

Monday was the funeral of our oldest member Mrs Emogene Keathley.  Her funeral was similar in tone to Abraham’s, who “died at a good old age, an old man and full of years; and he was gathered to his people.”  (Gen 25:8).  She had many more friends in heaven than on earth, so her funeral was laced with more gladness than sadness.

Yesterday was the funeral of 26 year old Conway Police Officer Will McGary.  He died in the line of duty last Thursday and our whole city and state has been grieving.  As a Chaplain for the CPD, I was thrust into death’s valley with these haunting words from Dispatch that still bring me to tears when I think about them, “Officer down.  In need of chaplain’s assistance.”  In police code, it’s a 1095, which mobilizes the entire police force into immediate action. McGary lived for 20 more hours.  His team/unit and the entire CPD have held each other up bravely these days, while continuing to protect and serve our community.

Officer’s McGary’s funeral was an event to behold.  Law enforcement showed up from all over the state to offer tribute to their fallen comrade.  Honor came in the form of stories, salutes, sirens, bagpipes, a 21 gun salute, flags, firetrucks, and a helicopter.

The most gut wrenching tribute was the “last call” that came out over a police cruiser’s loudspeaker at his graveside service.  The Dispatcher made the last call for Officer 474, then after  a few moments of silence, gave him permission to go to heaven.  This is the moment when honor and hope converged.  Officer Will McGary’s pastor had previously given us a clear testimony of Will’s salvation and  baptism. Honor is good.  Hope is better.

“We want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope.” (1 Thess 4:13)

The final funeral of the week was today for a 27 year old wife and mother – Brooke Partney.  Brooke died suddenly and unexpectedly Sunday morning, despite her husband Jon’s valiant efforts to resuscitate her.   Brooke’s Small Group teacher had just gotten the text at the end of our first worship service, which Jon’s parents were in.  We all rushed to the ER to find that there was nothing we could do but cry and pray together.   We watched Jon and Brooke’s son play cluelessly in the hospital – it was his second birthday – which only made the nightmare worse.

What do you say to spouses and parents as you guide them through the valley of death?  Not much.

How do you explain inexplicable tragedies like these?  You don’t.

So what can you do besides cry and pray? Offer hope in death’s valley. Remind them of King David’s words of hope, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.” (Ps 23:3)

Don’t forget the Christian’s hope found in 1 Cor 15,  “Death is swallowed up in victory.  O death, where is your victory?  O death, where is your sting? …thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”