Buried Like a Donkey

“With the burial of a donkey he shall be buried, dragged and dumped beyond the gates of Jerusalem.”

―Jeremiah 22:19 (ESV)

Remember, my tag line for these blogs and video includes “random musing.” So today let’s talk about funerals.

In my bible reading earlier this morning I read the pronouncement of God’s judgment on one of the evil kings of Israel (Jehoiakim):“With the burial of a donkey he shall be buried, dragged and dumped beyond the gates of Jerusalem.”

This is what I wrote in my prayer journal: The way a culture treats their dead reflects their spiritual health. 

I was reminded of the recent cold-blooded murder of the United Healthcare CEO and a poll that came out today that showed that

41% of adults under 30 consider the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson acceptable.

Overall, 68% of adults felt that it was unacceptable. That means that 32% feel that it is okay.

If you need evidence of the decline our country’s spirituality you need look no further.

But let’s talk about funerals in particular…

The king being buried like a donkey was not a reflection of the man’s wicked so much as it was a reflection of the people.

Good or bad, every human (born or unborn I might add) is an image bearer of God. That is why God is so opposed to murder; it is an affront on Him – sort of like defacing a stature.

Being in the ministry for over forty years has given me a front row seat to the decline in how we honor our dead.

When I started out as a young minister, funerals were a really big deal.  Today, in many cases, they are almost an afterthought, something that is quickly done with the least amount of expense, effort, and use of time. 

For example, it is not uncommon for someone to die and be quickly and quietly buried and maybe months later – when it is convenient for the living – for families and friends to get together for an informal “memorial service.”

Please understand, I despise predator funeral directors who prey on people when they’re vulnerable by running up the cost of a funeral service unnecessarily. 

And people who try to assuage their guilt because of how they treated their dead while they were living or try to impress their extending family and friends with their wealth by putting on an extravagant show is sad and fools no one. 

But having said that it says something tragic about our nation and ourselves when honoring the dead is no longer a priority and duty.

Here’s some closing advice on how to honor your dead:

• Plan on honoring your dead by saving money designated for the purpose or buy a specific insurance policy to underwrite the occasion.
• Plan the service well in advance. Have conversations with your loved one on what their desires are.
• Insert dignity, bring your best to the funeral service.
• Have “your” pastor officiate the service – someone who represents God, judgment, eternity, heaven and hell.
• And finally, live your own live in such a way that you deserve to be honored.

The ONE THING for today: The way you honor your dead says far more about you than it does them.