The Funeral of Irma Marek

Hope in Grief

The Funeral of Irma Marek -  March 29, 2025

Ecclesiastes 1:1-14, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, John 6:53-58

Rev. Christopher W. Brademeyer

That portion from God’s holy Word for consideration this morning is our Epistle lesson from First Thessalonians in the fourth chapter with special emphasis on verses thirteen and fourteen which read as follows:

“But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.”[1]

Thus far the Scriptures.

In the name of the Father and of the + Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Introduction: Why We Are Here

We have gathered here today to lay to rest our dear sister in Christ Irma. We come with sadness, because death is always painful. It takes from us people we love. We feel the loss deeply, and it is right to grieve. Even Jesus wept at the tomb of His friend, Lazarus.[2]

But as we grieve, we also come to be reminded of the hope that we have in Christ. Death is not the final word. Today is not just a time to remember Irma, but to reflect on the promises of Jesus. Jesus says in John that He is the resurrection and the life. This is the foundation of our hope today: that those who belong to Christ have eternal life in Him.[3]

Irma’s Life in Christ

                Irma was not only a beloved family member and friend, but most importantly, she was a child of God. She was baptized into Christ, and in that moment, she was joined to His death and resurrection. As Paul writes in Romans chapter six, “We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”[4] Through her baptism, Irma was marked as one who belonged to Jesus. This was not because of anything she had done, but because of what Christ did for her. It was His grace that claimed her as His own.

Not only was Irma baptized into Christ, but she also lived in Christ. She received His Word, and she was nourished at His table in the Lord’s Supper. These gifts the holy Word of God and the Sacraments, sustained her faith throughout her life by giving to her every good and precious thing that our Lord Jesus died for her to have.

                The Lord’s Supper is a meal that both looks back and looks forward. It looks back to the cross, where Jesus gave His body and blood for our salvation. But it also looks forward to the great feast in heaven, where one day, we will all gather in His presence. And though we feel the ache of separation now, we know that one day, all believers will be reunited in Christ.

Our Hope is in Christ Alone

It is natural to want to speak of all the good things about Irma. And indeed, we can and should remember her and share stories about her. But our hope today does not lie in Irma herself. Our hope is not in her goodness, her works, or even the strength of her faith. Our hope is in Christ and His work.

This is the great comfort of the gospel. If our salvation depended on us, on our efforts, our goodness, or even our ability to believe perfectly, then we would all be in trouble. But salvation is not about our work; it is about the work of Jesus. Irma was a recipient of Christ’s saving grace. She did not earn His love; she received it as a gift. This is the same gift that is given to all who trust in Him. As Ephesians chapter two reminds us, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”[5] This is why we can face death without fear. Because Jesus lived, died, and rose again, those who belong to Him will also rise again.

The Promise of the Resurrection

Even though we say goodbye to Irma today, we do not say it forever. The grave is not the end. Jesus conquered death, and because of that, death no longer has the final word over Irma—or over us. One of the most beautiful promises in Scripture comes from 1 Corinthians 15:51-55, where Paul writes: "Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed… then shall come to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’"

What a promise! Death has been defeated. The sting of sin has been removed. And because of that, we can stand here today, even in our grief, with confidence that Christ is victorious for Irma and all of the faithful. This promise is not only for her, it is for all who trust in Jesus, the same Jesus who taught that, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live.”

Conclusion: A Call to Hope

Today, we remember Irma’s life, but more importantly, we remember the One who gave her eternal life. We give thanks for her, but even more, we give thanks to Jesus, who was faithful to her in life and in death. Our sorrow is real, but so is our hope. And our hope is not wishful thinking—it is rooted in the unshakable work and promises of Christ. So as we lay our dear sister Irma to rest today, let us hold fast to that promise, that Jesus is not only victorious over sin and death but that He will come again to bring the faithful to Himself. Let us grieve, but not as those who have no hope. Let us look forward to the day when we will see Irma again, not because of anything she or we have done, but because of the love and mercy of our Savior. And until that day, let us find comfort in the words of Jesus: “Because I live, you also will live.”[6]

In the holy Name of + Jesus. Amen.

The peace of God that passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

[1] 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 English Standard Version

[2] John 11:35

[3] John 11:25

[4] Romans 6:4 ESV

[5] Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV

[6] John 14:19