*Follow general format of sacrament meeting
Contemplate doctrineSupport bereaved
One of the most solemn and sacred meetings of the church is the funeral for a departed member, Elder Boyd K. Packer of the council of the Twelve said Saturday afternoon.
"A comforting fuenral is of great importance. It helps console the bereaved and establishes a transition from mourning to the reality that we must move forward with life," explained Elder Packer. "Whether death was expected or a sudden shco, an inspiration funeral where the doctrines of the resurrection, the mediation of Christ, and the certainty of life after death are taught, strengthen those who now must move on with life."
Elder Packer said there is reason to fear that "we are drifting from the sacred spirit of reverence which should characterize funerals."
The doctrine of the gospel, the spirit of inspiration, and families gathered together in tender regard for one another are combined together in a funeral as in no other meeting, Elder Packer pointed out.
Quoting from a 1978 priesthood bulletin, Elder Packer said that funerals conducted under the auspices of officials of the Church should follow the general format of sacrament meetings with respect to music, speaking and prayers.
"'Music should be used at the beginning of the service prior to the opening prayer and possibly after the invocation also, as in our Sunday meetings,'" he read. "'The closing protion of the funeral llikewise should follow our customary pattern of having a final musical number immdiately before the concluding prayer.
"'With repect to speaking, it should be kept in mind that funeral services provide an excellent opportunity for teaching the basic doctrines of the Church ina positive way.'"
Elder Packer acknowledged that on occasion special requests are made by the family of the deceased and he urged bishops to honor such requests insofar as their rquests are in accord with established policy.
"However," he counseled, "there are limits to what may be done without disturbing the spirituality and causing it to be less than it might be."
Elder Packer emphasized the need to reestablish the spirit of reverence at fuenrals. "We are close, very close,to the spirit world at the time of death," he said. "There are tender feelings, spiritual communications really, which may easily be lost if there is not a spirit of reverence. . . .
"The Comforter works, as far as I have experience, in moments of reverence and quiet and solemnity. How sad if our own conduct is irreverent at a time when others are seeking so desperately for spiritual strength."
Elder Packer pointed out that the words "death" and Happiness" are not close companions in mortality, but in the eternal sense, they are essential to one another.
"Death is a mechanism of rescue," he said. "Our first parents left Eden lest they partake of the tree of life and live forever in their sins. The mortal death they brought upon themselves, and upon us, is our journey home."
