Funeral Services Books

A beautiful book - inside and out. The cover is padded so it has that "journal" feel -- it's the perfect size to carry and fits easily in a bookbag or briefcase. I think the best feature of this book is the table of contents -- a comprehensive and well organized list of topics and subtopics covered in the journal which guide the reader through "life's inevitable journey."

Wow! I initially bought this for myself but found it so useful that I bought one for my dad. It allowed me to approach subjects with him about his future medical care and the type of arrangements he would want for himself upon his death. Most of all, it's given both of us the opportunity to record important information right in the journal so it's all in one book. Kudos to Ms. Vestevich!

As an avid reader my interests are quite varied. Like most people once I finish a book I rarely pick it up again. However once in a great while a work will come along that is more than mere entertainment or to fill space in a book case. A work so special it becomes a companion. Something to cherish, to enjoy, to learn from, to make your very own and to pass down to future generations. Grant Me My Final Wish is very different from anything I've read before and frankly I was a bit skeptical. But wow what a surprise. Well written, insightful and detail oriented, "Grant Me" actually grows in value and purpose long after the reader puts it down. A must for every family. It belongs in that vaulted position next to the family bible

I am a registered nurse who is presently working on my Masters in Counseling at Oakland University. I am thoroughly impressed with this journal which is intelligently and compassionately written. There should be a copy in every home. Grant Me My Final Wish will open a difficult topic for discussion, as well as leave memories for loved ones.
Carol Franciosi R.N. Bsc. El. Ed. Masters in Counseling (CLASS OF '06)

I was told about this book by a fellow Rotarian who heard Ms. Vestevich speak at his meeting. It is very well designed and makes for a beautiful gift to give to friends and loved ones. Renata Marie created a useful tool to share one's vital information, memories and wishes for all to see so that when they're gone, they're never forgotten and their thoughts and wishes are known to all. Everyone should have a copy to augment their legal Will. After all the Terri Schiavo media attention I woke up to how important it is to have a living Will regardless of your age and write down what you want to happen if you're unable to let others know. Though there may be other books or journals out there for that purpose, Grant Me My Final Wish has to be the best! Renata Marie did a great job putting it together to help facilitate what should be included in the journal and make sure you know what you need to think about now and in the future. Worth every penny and then some! Bravo!

Some things never get out dated. This handbook/manual has surpassed the the test of time and will always be helpful to those in the ministry and or evangelism.

Excellent book. I also found The Minister's Crucible by Fred C. Rochester a great book for ministers, want to be ministers, and those already in ministry. Book books are a must read.

This is THE book to own of its type. Highly recommended to new and old ministers alike. It should be in every ministers library. I always refer back to mine.

The Star Book for Ministers is a wonderful reference guide. It is jam packed with information yet small enough to discreetly and easily carry with you. If you are new to the ministry or someone who has been in the ministry a while, it contains practical helps and information.

Topics covered include: Entering the Christian Ministry, Preaching the Gospel, Pastoral Care, etc. There are almost 100 pages of scripture one can refer to by topic (Confession & Forgiveness, Christian Love, Grief, Comfort, Beneditions, etc). This is most helpful when counseling someone.

Finally there are practical guidelines for dealing with others during weddings, funerals and baptisms as well as suggestions for ceremonies. Indispensible!

I have personally used and highly recommend the Star Book for Ministers. Filled with useful forms, ceremonial procedures, guidelines for different types of services, parliamentary guides for churches, and even ecclesiastical sample letters and blanks, I have found it a priceless resource. I highly recommend this book for all ministers, and especially for the newly ordained clergy or anyone starting a church.

Luckily, I haven't needed to use the book for my own purposes, but as a physician, it is great to have a book to refer my patients to after a loss. This book is easy to read and guides you through all the options for ways to celebrate the life of a loved one who has passed. It appeals to both the religious and agnositic.

Really useful information for dealing with the immediate practical details. How to write services, how to get thru the day, how to deal with overwhelming grief. Written by a woman minister who's been thru it all with members of her own family. At the end there's a section on how to get your own act together: the paperwork and lists so you don't have to go thru what Terry Schiavo did. A really sweet and helpful book.

The subject of the book, the death of a loved one, is a subject everyone would rather not face. However, it is an experience fundamental to everybody's life sooner or later. Anne Keeler Evans from the very first page of this invaluable book, shows the way and the how with compassion. The books gives, in straightfoward and loving language, guidelines for some of the most painful of decisions, ideas for ceremonies and words of comfort during the darker moments of grief.
During the recent illness and death of my older brother, I had the book with me at the hospital, and later it went with my sister-in-law to her home. Many times during those miserable days, "Remembering A Life" was picked up, passages from it read out, information taken from it and used.
"Remembering A Life" is a book everybody should have on their bookshelves.

A simple to read guide to what you need to think about after the death of someone. Could be used before the death to get some things done or lined up. A great resource for cancer support centers or groups!

It is a pleasure to see such a work available at last on Amazon. After reviewing this work I realized several things that I could do to prepare for that inevitable, albeit necessary part of life. The author puts into perspective her own experiences and ideas that strike home with a resounding chord.

Ultimately, the book helps one plan and contemplate the grieving process and allow oneself time for healing. It takes a brave and thoughtful person to put a work like this together.

BRAVO !

This book charts the funeral journey and more than familiarizes the reader with the new Order of Christian Funerals. It is very readable and reaches those who want to prepare funeral liturgies by keeping in mind the ministry of consolation. This is a valuable tool for those interested in explaining and implementing meaningful aspects of separation and loss. Provisions are made for ways to prepare the liturgies. There is also an excellent schematization of the funeral journey. This is a unique commentary for ministry.

This book puts the funeral into perspective according to the new Order of Christian funerals. It is a resource for parish ministry. It takes the reader through the actual funeral journey. It has an innovative approach to the expression of loss through ritual.

This book is a much needed and useful book for planning the Catholic funeral. It is an essential item to minister witht the bereaved. The book provides options, descriptions of minsitry, outlines of the funeral journey, homily and reflection information and many other liturgical aspects all in one book. It is readable and helpful for all those participate in the funeral of a Christian. This work finnally assists in many ways for dioceses, parishes, funeral directors, music ministry,parish bereavement committees, and especially families.

This is the first non-threatening to-do list for funeral planning I have seen and I'm not talking about the threat of death or even of filling out forms. Curley's book is all about forms and decisions, but they include options for turning over some responsibilities to others. The immediate decisions on funeral home and type of services are pretty straightforward, and having them made in advance is helpful. The problem is in the details, like who will be pall bearers, lectors, servers; do we want to use Christian symbols and if so, what will they be and who will get them together. In addition to explaining each of these traditions, Curley provides a format for expressing your wishes that often includes the choice of having parish staff decide. Of course he also covers the standards like choosing readings and music, presenting an appendix for each. But again, there is the option of leaving that in the hands of others. It's all here, laid out in narrative form with fill-ins and a nine-page tear-out summary section at the end. This is an invaluable resource for individuals and families, and a tremendously useful tool for parish staff involved in bereavement ministry.

As a greenhorn pastor who just did his first funeral yesterday, I thank God for the Baker Funeral Handbook. When the time came to meet with the widow to talk about options for the memorial service, I had good ideas to present to her. When the time came to consider hard questions about how to frame the sermon, I had helpful advice. And while I was still nervous when the time came, I was prepared.

Thanks, Dr. Ken Swetland (Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary) for your teaching on conducting funerals, and for your recommendation to purchase the Baker Funeral Handbook.

"Blessed Are Those Who Mourn" is an excellent resource for prayers for funerals. While written by Roman Catholic authors for use primarily in the Roman Catholic Rite of Christian Burial, the extensive material offered in the book can be easily adapted for use in most Christian traditions. All prayers are written with suggested responses which offers the possibility of congregational involvement during funeral and/or memorial services. For any Pastor, this book will be a valuable addition to the liturgical library.

I found this book in my seminary library a day or two after my grandfather died, when I found that I was going to preaching at his funeral. Other books on the subject just seemed either much less comprehenive or much less user-friendly. Fowler does an excellent job in setting forth common expectations family/friends may have for the funeral service and for the pastor him/herself. As a new pastor, this is invaluable to have on your shelf.

As a active minister, I am always looking for tools to make my ministry better and more practical. This is a great help in that direction. The wiersbees have taken a uncomfortable subject and added great insight and useful suggestions in the area of grief counseling and the conducting of funerals. It is a bit dated, but very worth any price to acquire