“Is a necrological service biblical?”
April 2025 – Grace & Truth Magazine
QUESTION: Is a necrological service biblical?
ANSWER: Thank you for your question. “Necrological” is an interesting term name that is not used everywhere. “Necrology” refers to anything related to records or statistics of a death. A necrological service, therefore, is a type of memorial service that factually recalls someone’s life. It’s a way to remember the death of someone and celebrate his or her life.
Some have connected a nercrological service to religious practices which are not found in the Bible, such as praying for the dead. As believers, we must be careful about what we do. Reading an obituary or having a memorial for a loved one who has fallen asleep in Jesus is not wrong. In fact, memorial services may well be used by the Lord to comfort those who are sorrowing.
A believer’s funeral should first and foremost reflect the words of the apostle Paul, as he wrote: “I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope” (1 Th. 4:13 NKJV). We do sorrow and grieve, but not without hope. For some, a brief history of how the loved one who has passed served the Lord can be helpful in the healing process. Noting when the brother or sister was saved and lived for the Savior can be a testimony to the lost and provide much comfort to those who remain here.
A memorial service is a time to “weep with those who weep” (Rom. 12:15), but it should also be a time when Christ is presented as the hope of the believer. It is an opportunity to set before the hearers the good news that Christ has triumphed over “him who had the power of death” (Heb. 2:14), and death is defeated by Him who is “the resurrection and the life” (Jn. 11:25; consider 1 Cor. 15).
As we consider these things, it might be helpful to read two obituaries found in God’s Word. Genesis 25:7-8 says of Abraham, “This is the sum of the years of Abraham’s life which he lived: one hundred and seventy-five years. Then Abraham breathed his last and died in a good old age, an old man and full of years, and was gathered to his people.”
Deuteronomy 34:5-8,10-12 gives God’s obituary for Moses: “So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord. And He buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth Peor; but no one knows his grave to this day. Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died. His eyes were not dim nor his natural vigor diminished. And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days. So, the days of weeping and mourning for Moses ended … But since then there has not arisen in Israel a prophet like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, in all the signs and wonders which the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt, before Pharaoh, before all his servants, and in all his land, and by all that mighty power and all the great terror which Moses performed in the sight of all Israel.”
Looking at both of these examples we can say the facts of their lives and deaths were given, and in Moses’ case some of how he lived for the Lord is shared. Therefore, we can conclude that a memorial service or obituary which points others to Christ is acceptable, even pleasing, in the eyes of God.
—Answered by Timothy P. Hadley
Christ The Lord
Will Come Again Christ the Lord will come again, None shall wait for Him in vain; We shall then His glory see, His, who died to set us free.
Then, when the Redeemer’s voice Calls the sleeping saints to rise, Rising millions shall proclaim Blessings on the Savior’s name.
“This is our redeeming God,” Ransomed hosts will shout aloud: Praise, eternal praise, be given To the Lord of earth and heaven. —Joseph Swain (1761–1796)