Saying Goodbye

Chapter 6

Guided Meditation

The room is very quiet. The people in it are whispering. You recognize almost everyone in the room, but you’re wondering why they all seem so sad. Several photos of you and your family are displayed in the back of the room, and some people have gathered around. They’re pointing at them and smiling. Everyone must be thinking of a special memory.

Several flower arrangements decorate the room, and they smell beautiful. But as you look more closely, you notice most of them are set up near a casket in the front of the room. It’s then you realize that you’re in a funeral home.

As more and more people enter the room and sign the book by the door, several groups move toward the casket. They’re talking so quietly that you can’t understand what they’re saying. But from the few sentences you’re able to decipher, it seems they’re talking about you.

Now you see your best friend approaching the casket alone. You can’t seem to get your friend’s attention. Your friend is crying and kneels down next to the casket. That’s when you realize that you’re in the casket. Your friend is asking you why you had to die. Why did it have to happen the way it did?

Now your parents approach the casket and grab your hand— but you can’t feel anything. You can see them crying. You can hear their voices, but you can’t seem to respond. You desperately want to communicate with them, but things seem to be fading away so quickly. It’s getting darker in the room. Your senses are beginning to disappear completely. As things are almost completely fading away, you notice your parents bending over to kiss you on the forehead.

Journal Entry

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Scripture Guides Us

Death is one of the most difficult things to think about for most people. Most of us are afraid of dying. Why do you think that is? Why is it so hard to talk about, anyway?

Take a few minutes to “chew on” the following Scripture verses, allowing God’s Spirit to speak to you.

HEBREWS 9:27

People are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.

1 CORINTHIANS 15:54-57

“Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death is your victory? Where, O death is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Questions for Reflection

  1. Who are some of the people you imagined visiting at the funeral? Who was missing? Why?

     

     

     

     

  2. What did you feel like when you realized that you were the one lying in the casket?

     

     

     

     

  3. What do you think your friends would say about you at your funeral? Why should that matter to you?

     

     

     

     

  4. Describe how you feel about death and the idea of dying someday. How have you experienced death in your life so far?

     

     

     

     

  5. What scares you most about death? Why?

     

     

     

     

  6. What are you doing in this life to prepare yourself for the next one?

     

     

     

     

  7. Why do you think it’s so difficult for most people to talk about death?