As Christians we have a unique perspective on death, a perspective that is radically different from the world around us. The comments below are intended to help you, or someone you know, face death and understand what death is, and how Christians face death and deal with grief.
What happens after we die?
For unbelievers, there is the “second death” (Rev. 20:14) in which their souls are immediately in the presence of Satan and immediately begin to suffer the torment of eternal punishment in hell, from which there is no possibility of escape. On the day of judgment, their bodies join their souls in hell.
Those who trust in the redemption won by Christ our Lord pass from death to life. This is why the Bible uses so many comforting images to describe the death of the child of God. Here are some of the phrases the Holy Spirit uses to describe a Christian’s death: being gathered to one’s people; departure in peace; departure and being with Christ; a turning away from the evil to come; sleep; rest; passing from death to life; deliverance from all evil; and, finally, “gain.”
Gain? How can death be gain? When a baptized child of God passes through death—a son or daughter of God who has been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb of God—then death is gain. Through death the children of God pass into an eternity of joy and peace with their heavenly Father.
Each Christian, therefore, may rejoice in the life that Christ has won and gives to him or her through the Word and Sacraments. When we die, our souls await the final consummation of all things on the day Christ returns. We shall receive glorified bodies that are free from tears, pain, sickness and age—perfectly renewed and glorified resurrection bodies.
In these new and glorified bodies, we shall spend all eternity in heaven, enjoying the presence of God and all His saints, forever and ever. The overwhelming joy of this truth is almost too much for us to even begin to comprehend, but it is true!
How do Christians face death?
Christians face death as they face life—with their eyes fixed firmly on Jesus. We cling to the promises of His Word, which, when facing death, seem even more wonderful and powerful. One of the most beautiful promises our Lord gave to us is found in John 14:2–3 where He says, “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”
We realize that no matter how our lives may end, there is one thing of which we can be absolutely certain. We shall pass from death to life, from this life to the life beyond, with our Lord. And there we shall rejoin all of our loved ones and others who have gone before us trusting in Christ their Savior.
How does a Christian deal with grief?
Christians should not hesitate to cry. Our Lord wept at the tomb of His friend Lazarus. We too find ourselves in tears at the pain of our loss. But we do not sorrow in the same way as those who have no hope. Since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep (1 Thessalonians 4:14). We look forward to a grand reunion with loved ones who have died in faith. Still, we miss them. The separation can seem overwhelming at times. This pain is part and parcel of grieving; it is to be understood, not resisted.
Grieving for most people is a journey. It is a journey from the initial pain of parting, toward healing and reconciliation with our loss. The pain gradually subsides, but the loss remains. Grief has many dimensions and may seem unpredictable in its ebb and flow; yet in Christ we find strength along the way. For in this journey we are not alone.
Christians find that family and friends are God’s gifts to help them bear the pain of loss, which at times seems unbearable. Such company is important in dealing constructively with grief. It must be consciously sought out by those who mourn. Most who mourn find it very helpful to tell the story of the death of those they love to family and to trusted friends. The repeated narrating of that story brings release and insight into the joy and sorrow of the parting. Friends and family will want to lend a listening ear and heart for such telling and retelling; it is a rare privilege to be entrusted with such treasures. “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).
Above all, Christian mourners will turn to the worship fellowship of the church and the rich comfort of God’s holy Word and Sacrament for healing along the path of grief. For Jesus Christ abides within His church through His sacred means of grace. Through these channels He bestows the riches of His forgiveness, life and salvation now, and to all eternity. One day we too shall stand with that great multitude of heaven who hear these blessed words:
“Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away”(Revelation 21:3–4).
Dr. A.L. Barry’s “What About Death and Dying?”
† A Prayer for a Blessed End †
O dear God and Lord! I live, yet I know not how long. I must die and yet I do not know when. But as You alone know, then, O Lord, my heavenly Father, let it be so! Should this day (this night) be the last of my life, Lord, Your will be done, for it alone is the best way. Therefore, I am ready to live and die in true faith in Christ, my Redeemer. Yet grant me but this plea, that I do not die suddenly in my sins. Give me a properly created knowledge, repentance, and sorrow concerning the sins that I have committed. Show them clearly to me in this life, that they might not be shown clearly on the Day of Judgment, and that because of that, I would go forth to everlasting shame before the sight of angels and of all people. O merciful Father, do not forsake me and take not Your Holy Spirit from me. Give me enough time and space for repentance that I may acknowledge and confess the transgressions of my heart, that I may obtain forgiveness and comfort from Your saving Word, and that I may be preserved for eternal life. O Lord, who knows all hearts, my heart yearns for its future with You; let me die when You so will. Yet, insofar as it is possible, grant me a reasonable, quiet, and blessed end. O God, be gracious and merciful to me, a poor sinner. Amen.
Lutheran Book of Prayer, Fifth Edition (Concordia Publishing House)
Trinity Lutheran Church 
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