Conduct Gospel-Centered Funerals: Applying the Gospel at the Unique Challenges of Death

Ministering The Master's Way

by Brian Croft, Phil A. Newton, Daniel L. Akin (Foreword)

Bring Gospel Hope in the Midst of Death The phone “Pastor, can you do my mother’s funeral?” Or, “Please help us―our baby just died.” Death comes unexpectedly, giving you two to three days of time to prepare a sermon―in the midst of caring for a grieving family. This helpful book walks a pastor through the logistics of memorial services, burials, and working with funeral homes―using the four P’ Plan, Prepare, Preach, and Perform. It shows how to magnify Christ and the gospel in the midst of all the details, demands, and sorrow that surrounds the death of a loved one. The Practical Shepherding series of books provides pastors and ministry leaders with advice and practical help to do the work of pastoral ministry in a local church. In Conduct Gospel-Centered Funerals , experienced pastors Brian Croft and Phil A. Newton offer readers a concise guide to conducting funerals that glorify God and offer a timely message of hope.

Genres: Christian Non Fiction, Reference, Christian Living, Counselling

128 pages, Paperback

First published March 25, 2011

About the author

Brian Croft is Senior Pastor of Auburndale Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky. Brian is the founder of Practical Shepherding, a non-profit organization committed to equipping pastors all over the world in the practical matters of pastoral ministry.

Reviews

[Deyling Machado · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very practical, educational, specific, and encouraging. Slight disagreement with an example of how to handle a certain situation, but other than that, very useful book.

[Pat Baird · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the Lord’s providence, it is a very likely chance that I will be administering funerals in the coming years as a senior pastor. This is something that seminary simply does not teach you. This short, immensely practical, and Christ-centered work was helpful for me as I think about going into the ministry in the coming year.

This book did not take long to read at all, and I see myself coming back to it constantly.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

First read in 2018, read again in 2025. Immensely practical, wonderfully concise.

[Nathan Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent resource for those new to officiating funerals! I read the kindle version, and will probably buy a paper copy to make notes in and revisit.

[JT Stead · Rating 5 out of 5]

So practical!! Highly recommend!

[Matthew Gasperoni · Rating 5 out of 5]

A concise yet profoundly practical guide, primarily aimed at pastors but beneficial for anyone who may find themselves serving or supporting others during times of loss in any capacity. The book is filled with gospel-centered wisdom that provides invaluable guidance for funerals, whether you’re asked to speak, play a part in the service, or offer support to grieving individuals. Personally, I’ve been asked to contribute to funerals a few times, and wish I had this book. Yet in the future I feel it will better equip me with more clear, actionable advice that I will certainly use. Beyond funerals, its principles will enrich my own walk with Christ and have offered deeper insight into supporting others in their grief. I highly recommend this book to any follower of Christ who might find themselves ministering to others in times of sorrow.

[Ryan Pickwick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve now read this book before all 3 funerals that I’ve preached. I’m convinced there’s not a better book on the subject and that every pastor needs this resource on his go-to shelf. Brian Croft and Phil Newton are two pastors known for the intimate shepherding care of their flocks, and it comes out through this book. It’s literally brimming with insights, must-knows, and incredible appendices for reference. It’s seated in a specific North American context, but in many ways I think that helps add to its usefulness. If the Lord tarries, and He permits me to shepherd a flock, I’m sure this will not be my last read of this book.

[Andrew Krom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Croft and Newton provide a helpful, comprehensive and experientially informed guide for Pastors as they conduct funerals. Both authors provide a number of appendices that give examples of funeral sermons, eulogies, and songs for funerals. This book is essential for Pastors to read who may be doing funerals in the future.

[Eddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has been a quick and helpful guide on how to plan and lead funerals from a very experienced pastor to an inexperienced one. His insight and advice have been invaluable.

[Simon Field · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful, clear and warm gospel-centered advice.

[Jake Stacks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Exceedingly practical, and in its practicality touches other aspects of ministry. It’s all radically, intentionally, and simply for the gospel, in all the circumstances.

[Addison Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great resource for new pastors like me.

[Gareth Russell · Rating 2 out of 5]

If I was a Pastor in America, then I would wholeheartedly recommend Conduct Gospel-Centered Funerals. It is brimming with tips and practical pointers to help Pastors and other church ministers conduct funerals that point people to the good news of the Lord Jesus Christ. But I'm not. I'm English. And so much of this book is culturally bound, including such things as where to stand at an open casket funeral (not common here!).

The main takeaways of this book for non-American audiences are: be sympathetic to the grieving, and share the good news of the gospel. Brilliant. But, I suspect that if you're not doing that already then you've probably missed a trick in your ministry.

[Joel Opificius · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brian Croft has been a recent favorite author of mine. He approaches pastoral ministry with a humble, biblical, boots-on-the-ground approach. In this book, Brian and Phil navigate the challenges fraught by all kinds of funerals—those for believers, unbelievers, children, etc.

This book contains a wealth of information and wisdom from Brian and Phil’s experiences. Phil’s father was a funeral director, so he carefully articulates how to work together with the funeral director. This will be a great reference book to look back through while preparing for funerals. The appendices give examples of funeral sermons, eulogies, hymns, and orders of service.

[Brian Nicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw this book mentioned in the Kindle deals on Tim Challies' blog and thought that I may be able to use it. Seminary doesn't prepare you completely for the practical ministry of conducting funerals. I've learned by doing, but am so thankful for this amazing resource that I will refer back to again and again. It has been very useful as I plan to lead my Dad's funeral in 12 days. I felt ministered to as I read each page to remember the gospel in every aspect of the funeral service. "Preach the gospel as a dying man to dying men." - Richard Baxter

[Andrew Ivester · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do we handle the challenging task of preaching a funeral in a gospel-centered way? Croft and Newton handle this question in a thoroughly practical, succinct book. They break up the funeral event into four areas: plan, prepare, preach, perform. These areas cover everything from the initial word that someone has died, to how to interact with the funeral home, to how to get to the gospel in the message, to dealing with the graveside service. A must-have book, especially for the younger minister.

[Vincent Ng · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book that accomplishes what it sets out to do. It will certainly be a helpful tool for minsters of the gospel that ought to conduct funerals. It is a handy book that would be helpful to continually revisit to become more comfortable in conducting funerals. There are many practical tips, and Croft does a great job in walking the readers through almost everything that has to do with funerals. For those newly going into ministry, this book will do wonders in priming the minister to be ready to conduct a funeral.

[Chris Pitts · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first I have read in this series and I was not disappointed. I was looking for something that assumed a gospel-centered approach between reader and author allowing for more space committed to the practical aspects of conducting a funeral. The book is exactly that.

Don’t expect lengthy theological treatments of the topic. Instead, you will receive practical, lived experience on all aspects of ministering the gospel to those who have lost a loved one. It includes example sermons; orders of service; hymns; and more, all in less than 130 pages!

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am currently reading the series of book is a part of Practical Shepherding. I was blessed by this volume as the death of a loved one is naturally hard whether family or friend, you love them. I am grateful for the focus of making sure to keep Christ and the Gospel at the center while also providing practical ways to do so in each aspect of a funeral. I will certainly recommend to others, both pastors and members of churches. All will benefit seeing how we can prepare ourselves to serve others.

[Ewan Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful Basic Overview

A helpful basic overview. Useful advice for working with both believing/unbelieving deceased and their families. US-centric which is occasionally frustrating. A lot about Open caskets and burials (as is to be expected) but not a single word about cremation and crematorium services. Overall a recommended quick read with some valuable takeaways.

[Collin Scribner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve never preached at a funeral, but boy howdy when it comes time to I will be turning straight to this book. It’s a gospel-centered gem of pastoral wisdom.

“O then, as you expect peace or rest in the chambers of death, get union with Christ. A grave with Christ is a comfortable place.”
— John Flavel

[Jon Varner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic little book that is a great help to those looking to prepare Gospel Center Funerals. There isn’t any fluff in this work, which is great. A valuable book for those looking for insight and practical tips on the preparation and participation as a pastor in a funeral.

[Kyle Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a new pastor, conducting funerals was the furthest thing from my mind in getting started. Thankfully this was a great resource in helping me prepare to conduct my first funeral. It is a helpful resource for pastors to have on their shelf.

[Dylan Brady · Rating 4 out of 5]

Practical and Christ centred book on how we can conduct funerals. Lots of wisdom from two thoughtful and experienced pastors.

Perhaps a little too specific to an American context, a tad repetitive and a little prescriptive, but very useful on the whole.

[Craig Turnbull · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful book with a ton of practical tools and suggestions.

[Nick Roark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helpful

[Rob Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pastoral Must Have

Short and sweet and gospel centered. A tool for every pastor in pastoral ministry must have. Great reminder of the centrality of the gospel in funerals

[Matt Kottman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A helpful primer

Moving from the UK, this book was helpful in understanding US funeral customs. It didn’t focus as much on the gospel as I would have liked..

[Chris Bogstad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every pastor needs to read this book and be ready for caring for people through the challenge of funerals. This book provides many helps in this area.

[Jonathan Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another book that I am so glad I read when I did. So practical and so perfect for what I need. Thank you Lord for this resource and that I had it at the right time. Highest recommendation