I guess, Neil, it would depend on what you mean by a "Christian burial."

We are not Catholics, to believe that the ground is sacred or that the
disposal of the body in some specific manner has spiritual value for the
deceased, so the term really has no meaning in that context.

If, however, you mean a "service in a church" or a "service with a pastor,"
I guess that depends on what the pastor is going to do. If the deceased is
an unbeliever, and his family want to have a service in the church in which
Christ can be exalted, then I see no reason to deny them this opportunity to
have the truth presented to their families and friends. It is a tricky thing
to do well, but I have seen it done well.

On the other hand, if you mean "should a preacher speak as if the man was
saved," then the answer is "no." A funeral is no excuse for dishonesty.



James W. Allen
jallen@...