Sudden Death Funeral Message

Begin with expressions of gratitude to those who have shared in ministering to this family since Claudia’s death. Those who have said a prayer, called to express their shock and sympathy, to those who have prepared food, flowers, or came by to visit last evening, and of course, those of you who are present today.

The Bible says, “We never know what a day may bring.” This time last week, several members of our church staff had responded to a call from the Doctor’s office in Hildebran. It seemed that Claudia needed assistance getting home. We were told that she had taken a shot and was somewhat dizzy and could not drive herself home.

Our first staff member had an accident just before turning into the parking area. When we arrived, Claudia, was very sick and didn’t feel much like talking, which, if you knew Claudia, was a definite indication that she wasn’t feeling well. We took Claudia home, wished her well, and said, “Goodbye.” That was the last we said to her.

In the New Testament book named for its author, James tells us again, 13 Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; 14 whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. 15 Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.

Claudia’s unexpected and sudden death reminds us all of the uncertainty of life.

The Psalmist also pictured life as just as uncertain in the 90th Psalm.

For a thousand years in Your sight

Are like yesterday when it is past,

And like a watch in the night.

5 You carry them away like a flood;

They are like a sleep.

In the morning they are like grass which grows up:

6 In the morning it flourishes and grows up;

In the evening it is cut down and withers.

The days of our lives are seventy years;

And if by reason of strength they are eighty years, Yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; For it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

So teach us to number our days,

That we may gain a heart of wisdom.

I have had the privilege of knowing Claudia and serving her and her family as pastor for almost 12 years now. She was a simple woman. In a complex world Claudia lived a far more serene and peaceful existence. She epitomized the basic values of life we most often cherish: Love for God and family; hard work, loyalty, honesty, and friendship.

Perhaps I can say it best and simplest by saying, she was a joy. I cannot think of one single instance when Claudia gave me any reason for concern or one moment of trouble. Most pastors I know would love to be able to say that about all their sheep.

I never questioned whether Claudia would…..

Be in church

Do her part

Give her tithe

Support our mission

She will be missed.

James 1:9-13

9 Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, 10 but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. 11 For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.

12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

James 1:26-27

If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

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