Saying farewell to the Queen – some reflections

Dan writes:

Yesterday’s funeral touched so many emotions for so many people. Here are some of what went through my mind, for what they’re worth (I write this as much for myself as for anyone else). 

Most personally stressful moment: the internet in our church conking out at 10.20am, just as people were starting to come in to watch the livestream. Thankfully, the Methodist Church up the road were also screening it so we could point people there instead! 

Most poignant moments: seeing two of the Queen’s corgis and a pony standing to watch the procession – glad there were some personal touches. Also the coffin passing Buckingham Palace, with the staff lined up outside. 

Most stirring moment: to my mind, nothing beats full organ and brass fanfare – so I enjoyed those bits in the funeral. I remember playing trumpet, accompanied by organ, at two of my grandparents’ funerals – but not with quite the same grandeur! 

Most gratifying moments: hearing so much about Jesus’ own resurrection from the dead in the service – indeed, I remember reading the same first reading as the Queen chose at one of my grandfather’s funerals. I cannot stress enough how utterly transformative the death and resurrection of Jesus is to his followers’ outlook on life and death. As someone who takes funerals regularly, there is a world of difference between the funeral of someone who dies trusting in Jesus as the conqueror of death, and the funeral of someone who dies with, in reality, just a guess at what happens beyond death. The Queen’s solid confidence in her eternal destiny shone through at so many points in the service, not least in her choice of readings and hymns.  

[And for those reading this who are thinking “What rubbish – someone coming back from the grave?!”, I’d want to ask in reply, “How do you explain why we even have church buildings 2000 years after Jesus died, emblazoned with the symbol of the cross?” Historians would point out that few of us would ever have heard of Jesus, and certainly no churches would exist today, if it were not for something as remarkable as a resurrection from the dead to turn an executed small-town first century rabbi into a movement that won over the mighty Roman empire within 300 years. If you want to explore some of the arguments for and against Jesus’ resurrection, and its potential relevance to us today, I’ve written a book on the subject that I’ll happily give you. Or I can point you to interviews with some of the aforementioned historians … ]

Most nerve-racking moment: the crown, the orb and the sceptre being moved from the coffin to the altar, toward the end of the committal service. Not something your average clergyman gets to do. I was surprised his hands weren’t shaking. Mine would have been!  

Most symbolic moment: as above - the crown, the orb and the sceptre being moved from the coffin to the altar. For me, that was the visual accompaniment to the words of one of the hymns the Queen chose: “Let us see thy great salvation, perfectly restored in thee … till in heaven we take our place, till we cast our crowns before thee, lost in wonder, love, and praise!” The Queen knew that she served a King far, far higher, grander, mightier and more powerful than she. She knew that standing before him, she was simply Elizabeth – and putting her crown on the altar in front of a cross, was a powerful symbol of that.  

Most “well said” moment: “People of loving service are rare in any walk of life. Leaders of loving service are still rarer. But in all cases those who serve will be loved and remembered when those who cling to power and privileges are long forgotten. The grief of this day – felt not only by the late Queen’s family but all round the nation, Commonwealth and the world – arises from her abundant life and loving service, now gone from us.” I thought Justin Welby did a fab job. 

Most comforting moments: I was struck by how much Scripture there was in the services, and of how powerfully it speaks to those who are grieving (“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death” … “Let not your hearts be troubled … In my Father’s house are many rooms … I go to prepare a place for you” … “Neither death nor life shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus” … “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though they die, yet shall they live” … “God will wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain”). The Queen knew that she had given comfort to many over the years, and had demonstrated a remarkable ability to listen to people from all sorts of backgrounds; but that she served a God who was infinitely more kind, compassionate, caring and loving than even she was. She wanted people to hear the comfort that God alone can offer in these times. 

There has also been much talk of how important the Queen has been to our nation (and to many beyond these shores) as a symbol of something unchanging in an ever-changing world. I’m one of millions / billions who have never known life without a Queen. In reality, of course, the Queen has changed her tone and approach over the years, even if her unstinting sense of duty and service has never wavered. Her death definitely marks a huge shift in our national life. If she has been like a rock, we have just lived through a sizeable earthquake (with more after-shocks to come?). And so I was struck also how powerfully Scripture reminds us that God is The Rock. (With apologies to Dwayne Johnson, who my boys tell me is known as ‘the rock’). So it was no accident that the final hymn of the committal service picked up on that: “Christ is made the sure foundation, and the precious corner-stone …” To those who feel we now stand on highly unstable ground, we were pointed to the only one who really is unchanging. So let’s put our hope and confidence in him! 

In total, I counted about 14 separate bits of Scripture, including some of the hymns and choir items, but not including the many other echoes of Scripture in other prayers, hymns and choir items. Scripture gives comfort to those grieving, hope in the face of death, reassurance in times of change. (I was a little disappointed most of the Bible passages were read or sung from translations done hundreds of years ago – but that is the translation the Queen grew up with (and learned quite a bit of it by heart, I gather). For those interested, I’ve put a more modern translation of the Bible passages used below. 

Most courageous moment: Justin Welby reminding us that we will all stand before the merciful judgment of God when we die. That’s a deeply unpopular thing to say these days, but no less true for it! 

Most sobering moment: I happened to be in our church building yesterday evening. A women came in, absolutely distraught, grieving the loss of her own mum. Yesterday’s funeral had stirred up a whole fresh wave of her own grief. She was not alone by any means. Yes, it’s been a period of national mourning for the Queen; but there’s also been a wave of national mourning (and maybe even international mourning?) for countless others who have died – whether recently, or many years ago. If you’re in that boat, being tossed about by waves you can’t control, you have my condolences. I’m hear to listen if you want to give me a bell. 

What are some of your reflections? 
Use the comment button at the bottom of this blog post

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Bible passages used in the funeral and commendation services, in Contemporary English Version: 

John 11:25-26
25 Jesus then said, “I am the one who raises the dead to life! Everyone who has faith in me will live, even if they die. 26 And everyone who lives because of faith in me will never really die. Do you believe this?”

Job 19:25-27
25 I know that my Protector lives,
and at the end
    he will stand on this earth.
26 My flesh may be destroyed,
yet from this body
    I will see God. 
27 Yes, I will see him for myself,
    and I long for that moment.

1 Timothy 6:7
7 We didn't bring anything into this world, and we won't[a] take anything with us when we leave.

Job 1:21
21  and said:
“We bring nothing at birth;
we take nothing
    with us at death.
The Lord alone gives and takes.
Praise the name of the Lord!”
Revelation 14:13
13 Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Put this in writing. From now on, the Lord will bless everyone who has faith in him when they die.”
The Spirit answered, “Yes, they will rest from their hard work, and they will be rewarded for what they have done.”

1 Corinthians 15:20-26, 53-58
20 But Christ has been raised to life! And he makes us certain that others will also be raised to life. 21 Just as we will die because of Adam, we will be raised to life because of Christ. 22 Adam brought death to all of us, and Christ will bring life to all of us. 23 But we must each wait our turn. Christ was the first to be raised to life, and his people will be raised to life when he returns. 24 Then after Christ has destroyed all powers and forces, the end will come, and he will give the kingdom to God the Father.
25  Christ will rule until he puts all his enemies under his power, 26 and the last enemy he destroys will be death.
53 Our dead and decaying bodies will be changed into bodies that won't die or decay. 54  The bodies we now have are weak and can die. But they will be changed into bodies that are eternal. Then the Scriptures will come true,
“Death has lost the battle!
55 Where is its victory?
    Where is its sting?”
56 Sin is what gives death its sting, and the Law is the power behind sin. 57 But thank God for letting our Lord Jesus Christ give us the victory!
58 My dear friends, stand firm and don't be shaken. Always keep busy working for the Lord. You know that everything you do for him is worthwhile.

Psalm 42:1-7
1 As a deer gets thirsty
    for streams of water,
I truly am thirsty
    for you, my God.
2 In my heart, I am thirsty
for you, the living God.
    When will I see your face?
3 Day and night my tears
    are my only food,
as everyone keeps asking,
    “Where is your God?”
4 Sorrow floods my heart,
    when I remember
leading the worshipers
    to your house.[a]
I can still hear them shout
    their joyful praises.
5 Why am I discouraged?
Why am I restless?
    I should trust you, Lord.
I will praise you again
because you help me,
6     and you are my God.
I am deeply discouraged,
    and so I think about you
here where the Jordan begins
at Mount Hermon
    and at Mount Mizar.[b]
7 Your vicious waves
    have swept over me
like an angry ocean
    or a roaring waterfall.

John 14:1-9
Jesus said to his disciples, “Don't be worried! Have faith in God and have faith in me.[a] 2 There are many rooms in my Father's house. I wouldn't tell you this, unless it was true. I am going there to prepare a place for each of you. 3 After I have done this, I will come back and take you with me. Then we will be together. 4 You know the way to where I am going.”
5 Thomas said, “Lord, we don't even know where you are going! How can we know the way?”
6  “I am the way, the truth, and the life!” Jesus answered. “Without me, no one can go to the Father. 7 If you had really known me, you would have known the Father. But from now on, you do know him, and you have seen him.”
8 Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father. That is all we need.”
9 Jesus replied:
Philip, I have been with you for a long time. Don't you know who I am? If you have seen me, you have seen the Father. How can you ask me to show you the Father?

Psalm 23
1 You, Lord, are my shepherd.
    I will never be in need.
2 You let me rest in fields
    of green grass.
You lead me to streams
of peaceful water,
3     and you refresh my life.
You are true to your name,
and you lead me
    along the right paths.
4 I may walk through valleys
as dark as death,
    but I won't be afraid.
You are with me,
and your shepherd's rod[a]
    makes me feel safe.
5 You treat me to a feast,
    while my enemies watch.
You honor me as your guest,
and you fill my cup
    until it overflows.
6 Your kindness and love
will always be with me
    each day of my life,
and I will live forever
    in your house, Lord.

Psalm 34:8
8 Discover for yourself
    that the Lord is kind.
Come to him for protection,
    and you will be glad.

Romans 8:35
35 Can anything separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble, suffering, and hard times, or hunger and nakedness, or danger and death?

Romans 8:38-39
38 I am sure that nothing can separate us from God's love—not life or death, not angels or spirits, not the present or the future, 39 and not powers above or powers below. Nothing in all creation can separate us from God's love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord!

Psalm 121
1 I look to the hills!
    Where will I find help?
2 It will come from the Lord,
    who created heaven and earth.
3 The Lord is your protector,
and he won't go to sleep
    or let you stumble.
4 The protector of Israel
doesn't doze
    or ever get drowsy.
5 The Lord is your protector,
there at your right side
    to shade you from the sun.
6 You won't be harmed
by the sun during the day
    or by the moon[a] at night.
7 The Lord will protect you
and keep you safe
    from all dangers.
8 The Lord will protect you
now and always
    wherever you go.

Revelation 21:1-7
I saw a new heaven and a new earth. The first heaven and the first earth had disappeared, and so had the sea. 2  Then I saw New Jerusalem, the holy city, coming down from God in heaven. It was like a bride dressed in her wedding gown and ready to meet her husband.
3  I heard a loud voice shout from the throne:
God's home is now with his people. He will live with them, and they will be his own. Yes, God will make his home among his people. 4  He will wipe all tears from their eyes, and there will be no more death, suffering, crying, or pain. These things of the past are gone forever.
5 Then the one sitting on the throne said:
I am making everything new. Write down what I have said. My words are true and can be trusted. 6  Everything is finished! I am Alpha and Omega,[a] the beginning and the end. I will freely give water from the life-giving fountain to everyone who is thirsty. 7  All who win the victory will be given these blessings. I will be their God, and they will be my people.

Psalm 103:13-17
13 Just as parents are kind
    to their children,
the Lord is kind
    to all who worship him,
14 because he knows
    we are made of dust.
15 We humans are like grass
or wild flowers
    that quickly bloom.
16 But a scorching wind blows,
and they quickly wither
    to be forever forgotten.
17 The Lord is always kind
    to those who worship him,
and he keeps his promises
to their descendants