The family have been in that church for fifty years, James left there about fifteen years ago when he and his wife split up (yet he spend weekends and holidays at home with them). At some point he back slide but before he died he repented. God said He forgives all sins, all in all his wife said that the son they had that is an alcoholic stand a better chance to getting in heaven. How is it that I can not find this in the scriptures? If it’s there then I have been preaching a false doctrine. 1 John 1:9

My brother was seventy four years old. This is the first time I have ever been to a funeral and no one was asked to say anything but the ministers (mind you visiting ministers)and the first lady. His son Glenn was appointed to speak for the family. The church was packed. There are eleven of us left. My brother and I being ministers was not acknowledged at all, while the First lady spoke of Mother F. Miller and how well she had trained her children. I stand to be corrected maybe/ possible, but I did not hear anything about my brother other than he was the father of ten children and how loyal and devoted they all are with a fern mother. I thought the eulogy was to be about the deceased.

This is the fourth funeral I have been to that have done this. What about those that flew in from out of town and the siblings of the deceased. I can only hope to be spoken of half as well as my sister in law for she is a wonderful person and they truly did a great job on the children.

James was found on a Monday and buried on that Friday. Half of my relatives didn’t get to come because of the short notice and given the wrong date. Their reservations was for that Friday night due to information given that everything would take place on that Saturday. Had I not called my nephew I would have missed the funeral also.

My relatives all asked me did I pay any attention to what was going on. All I could say is the truth yes we all paid it attention. We all came prepared to speak on our brothers behalf but wasn’t given the chance instead people that got up and said “It is a pleasure to be here today and to be asked to speak at this outstanding homegoing”; “Now I understand why so and so is such a respectable upstanding young man and woman”; When I first met Mother F. Miller I had never been in a house where you could eat off her floors with so many children in the house”. It went on and on like this until the ending. We all waited for a word about our brother but received none.

No matter what was said we left empty as far as hearing anything positive or negative about our brother No one got angry and said anything, but so many of us was disappointed. It would have been nice to have my children and grand children to know what a wonderful person their uncle was.

My daughter did a documentation in college with him a few years ago, maybe I can make copies and give my siblings for their children to see and hear him for their self. Should I also send his wife/family one?

Blessings unto you,

Rev. C. Whitehead

Any particular format you use or favorite Scripture passages or other readings?

I think many can and will benefit from your simple outline here.

Press on!