Baptist

A Baptist funeral will often focus returning of the soul to God, as the faith preaches that those who have faith in Jesus will be ‘saved’ upon their passing. ‘Members of the church also believe a person who has reconciled to god during life on earth passes into a spiritual state of being, enabling them to experience God in a new dimension in Heaven’ (Cohoe et. al. 2002)

Before the funeral

• A pastor will be contacted at the time of passing so that preparations for the funeral can be made
  
• Ideally the burial will take place within three to five days of the death, preferably not on a Sunday
  
• The Baptist church does not discourage cremations, so a body may not even be present at the funeral service
  
• Embalming is common and, in some cases, required before viewing so as to preserve the deceased

During the service

The Baptist Church is a ‘congregational’ one, meaning each church has its own customs and norms, and this extends to the funerals in their religion.

• A Baptist funeral service may well be a happy celebration of the person’s life, or it could be a more sombre event, depending on the family and their beliefs
  
• Dress smart and respectfully. Men should don a black suit and tie, women in dark coloured, modest pants or dress
  
• Funerals in the Baptist church are often quite religiously focused. Eulogies from family and friends in some cases aren’t allowed (only the minister speaks), but others may have a faith-focused eulogy from loved ones
  
• A pastor will lead some Baptist funeral prayers and traditional Baptist hymns will be played

Following the service

• After the funeral, it is common for Baptists to then hold a reception where the congregation can remember and honour the life of the loved one. This may be in a home or at the church