A Christian Ending: A Handbook for Burial in the Ancient Christian Tradition

by J. Mark Barna, Elizabeth J. Barna

A handbook for burial in the ancient Christian tradition. While aimed at Orthodox Christians, this book would be a very helpful guide to anyone who is interested in preparing for a funeral within the context of community, without the use of corporate funeral homes, and using green and sustainable methods. From the foreward: "How should Christian people prepare for death, their own and that of loved ones? No question can be more important than this, since death is the final reality of our earthly life. Yet particularly in the United States, we tend to avoid the question as much as we can. We consider death to be brutal and tragic, whatever its circumstances and causes. It marks an end to our ambitions, while it underscores the ephemeral nature of our existence. Therefore we treat it like a "last enemy" from which there is no escape, no salvation. Death appears as a specter, a menacing evil, that evokes a reaction of dread. Written in a genial, conversational style, this book offers the Christian reader a solid foundation in both the theology and the psychology of death: its place within God's creative and saving work, and the personal impact it makes on those facing death and those who grieve for them. It also clarifies a great many misconceptions held by most people concerning professional funeral practices, making clear that a truly "Christian ending" to our life can mean beauty and utter simplicity both in the rituals that surround it and in the burial itself. Many readers will be surprised to learn that it is not at all necessary, legally or practically, to use the services of a funeral home. There is indeed "another way," one more in keeping with the Gospel imperative to honor the physical body as a temple of the Holy Spirit. This work includes a section on the actual preparation of the body of the deceased, together with prescribed readings of psalms and prayers, all of which can be accomplished with or without the participation of clergy.

Genres: Christianity, Theology, Nonfiction, Christian, Death, Faith, Religion

198 pages, Paperback

First published May 2, 2011

Reviews

[Debbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I realize this book may not appeal to a large audience, but I encourage you not to disregard it out of hand. "A Christian Ending" is split into 2 parts and I believe the first section is of great value to all Christians.

Part One explains how the new movement for green burials are in fact quite an old tradition and still largely exists today outside of American borders. Deacon Barna explains how natural burial is much better for the environment and not as "out there" as the Big Business Funeral industry would have us believe. It's definitely worth reading as one considers such a heavy (and scary) topic.

Part Two is a "how to" for people wanting to incorporate, not just a natural way to prepare and bury a body, but also many of the Christian traditions surrounding death and burial that go back to the beginnings of the Church. It lays out the prescribed Psalms and hymns (Troparians) still used in the Eastern Christian tradition. In fact, the title: A Christian Ending comes from a prayer chanted at nearly every Orthodox service.

While this books is quite good and educational, I would say it's a first step in this path. Dcn. Barna gives a wealth of information and websites, for further education, in the Appendices.

For a Christian ending to our life: painless, blameless, peaceful, and a good defense before the dread Judgment Seat of the Lord, let us ask of the Lord...

[Anne Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is covered in this book is something everyone is going to have to think about and deal with in the future. It goes about it in a very clear, practical, and generally biblical way. The writers are Orthodox, but as a Protestant I found that their main arguments still held true.

It is practical, because it is, as it says a handbook for Christian burial. It goes step by step through the processes of how to deal with a deceased brother’s or sister’s (in Christ) body, and how to do so in a respectful, Christian way, that honors God and the deceased person (who is made in God’s image), and abides by local law.

Arguments are made against cremation and for burial, also how we as Christian’s should think about death, and warnings about modern funeral homes and their practices. The authors use the Bible, history, and some church fathers (the part I do not necessarily agree with) to support their points.

It is an enlightening read, and something as a Christian you should be prepared to deal with, since our culture clearly doesn’t know how to deal with death.

[Joel Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Christian ending discusses why and how to prepare for a more traditional/ancient Christian approach to "end of life" issues rather than the American consumerist (and much more expensive) approach, particularly in what happens to bodies. For those of us concerned about making positive ecological choices, this is a better approach, as well. I do not want to be embalmed or put into a fancy but wasteful casket, and it's a fallacy that we "need" those things.
These ideas come from a particular view on death, the body, and the whole process. This book does go into some detail describing that point of view, which I think is very helpful. (Full Disclosure: I and my wife are Orthodox Christian, and this book wonderfully describes the point of view we share with the author. Many people who don't fully share those ideals, however, also find the book appealing.)
The book also includes many specific and practical examples, descriptions, and legal forms. Highly recommended for people from all walks of life.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very practical how-to guide for preparation of the body and burial in the ancient Christian tradition. Lots of good ideas on how to set up a team at church in order to serve the community in this way. I also appreciated the list of documents, both provided and mentioned (those that are state-specific were not included, but were listed as necessary). Having work in an estate planning law office, I only wish EVERYONE would take the time to consider and WRITE DOWN their end-of-life choices NOW, whether aged 25 or 75. Every day on this earth is borrowed time, and being prepared for the end will save your loved ones so much anguish.

[Kalistrat Oikumena · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book on the Christian tradition of burial. As a matter of fact, this is a book about the way burial has been handled by people for thousands of years and is still handled by most Christian cultures, besides United States and Canada. This is a great book to see that the American funeral industry promotes embalming mostly as a money making mechanism, and that there is no value in neither embalming, not in expensive funeral home services.

[Dcn Peter Markevich · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first part, on the need for the reexamination and reclamation of Christian burial, makes an important argument but suffers from lack of a good editor. I had the impression I was reading a solid draft but not a final release.

The second part, a practical guide to handling burial without the services of a mortuary or the modern technologies of embalming, etc. was not very applicable to my current needs but I truly appreciate having it on hand.

[Alex of Yoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Run, do not walk, and buy this book. Seriously. This is an absolute must-read for any American Christian who's going to die one day (aka all of us). It goes through the history of burial and cremation, discusses current-day practices and abuses, and gives an extremely practical guide for following ancient, natural Christian burial customs today. If you are a minister/pastor/clergy of any type, you MUST read this book as it gives step-by-step guidelines on how the church can practically help and support the bereaved, including caring for and burying the deceased at virtually no cost, and creating a community support network. For the individual, it includes important planning documents to put together, ways to plan and prepare for your death, and practical tools to ensure that your death and burial happen in a good, God-honouring, and conscientious way. The chapter on the theology of death blew my mind. It's exceptionally powerful.
American culture is prone to ignore death or pre-planning for it, but this book explains why you shouldn't and how harmful the current funeral industry is. It's educational, instructive, encouraging, and empowering. We plan on getting a lawyer and putting many of these ideas to paper as we plan for our own Christian burial. Do yourself and your loved ones a favour: buy this book, read it, apply it. It's written from an Eastern Orthodox perspective, but that really is just a backdrop. All Christians can learn from and need to hear what's in this book.

[Carrie Gaynor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enlightening book. I’ve always been a bit put off by how we do death - how someone professional comes to take your loved one away to process them. This book gave a wholesome, beautiful alternative; and honestly one I think I’d dreamed off: lovingly washing and preparing the body, praying over them, spending time with them in order to help your grief. And all in the context of family and community. Wonderful!

[Scott Roper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Combines a summary of Christian burial practices with a practical guide to home funerals. A good starting point for churches that desire to start their own burial society.

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

For Orthodox Christians, practical, and Chapter 5 Overcoming the Fear of Death contains many excellent reminders.

[Kayla Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Food for thought.

[w gall · Rating 5 out of 5]

No stone has been left unturned in addressing the needs of a deceased fellow parishioner and their families in terms of preparations (physical and spiritual) of the body, the burial, and the aftermath for the family. All the details. Thoughtfully written.

[Ted · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an alternative life-style book. If you want to learn how to bury your dead yourself rather than relying on the professional mortuary industry this book is for you.

[William Work · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are an Eastern Orthodox Christian, this book is very enlightening.

[Maria Weir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple, straight forward with loads of useful appendixes, I recommend this for Christians, Orthodox or not.