The funeral and the mourners: pastoral care of the bereaved

I. Exploring the problem of the funeral

II. Bereavement in the light of psychology

Psychological studies in bereavement

Insights gained from psychological studies of bereavement

III. Grief and the man

The psychodynamics of the grief reaction

Tearfulness

Bewilderment and loneliness

Fear

Ambivalence

Hostility

Guilt

Idealization

The effect of personality structure

IV. The function of the funeral

The purpose of the funeral

Theological sources of the funeral

Cultural sources of the funeral

Psychological sources of the funeral

Criteria for evaluating the personal function of the funeral

V. Elements of the funeral service

Scripture readings

Prayers

Prose and poetry selections

The funeral sermon

Music

The committal service

VI. Funeral practices

Floral tributes

The casket and burial vault

The display of the body

The obituary

VII. Evaluating the funeral service

The self-critical work of the pastor

The situation

The funeral

Funeral practices

Evaluation

VIII. Pastoral care as a context for the funeral

Prefuneral calls

Postfuneral calls

Pastoral care of strangers to the church

IX. The funeral and the total ministry of the church

Implications for the church

Implications for the ministry

Implications for the future of the funeral.