Sing the Victory at My Funeral

Earlier this year I started a series of blog posts that some would consider morbid or at the very least the last thing they want to read. Bear in mind that every blog post I write may very well be the last blog post. I hope the last one touches hearts and generates a response that has lasting benefits.

The first one in the funeral series was titled, “Funeral Expectations – Wayne’s Death (Preplanning for Death).” It was posted in February 2025. In that post I said the following about a song by Shane & Shane: “If you are able to attend my memorial service, then I have only one request of you. Don’t send flowers or bring flowers. Just come and sing. One of the songs I would like to have in the service is His Mercy Is More.”

The host of the Five-Minute Friday will be taking a break from offering the weekly word I have used to create many of my Friday blog posts. That pause in her Friday word suggestions prompted me to go in a different direction with the Friday post. I would like to call it the “Friday Funeral” series. If I’m around on future Fridays I plan to write some more. This time I want to talk about some songs.

Songs I Used to Like

There are many songs that I liked when I was a teenager. I was especially fond of the lyrics and melodies of Simon and Garfunkel. In retrospect those songs offer little in the way of hope or true satisfaction. That generation (my generation) was often lacking in hope and saw the pains in the world. This hopelessness echoes in the closing words of “Sounds of Silence.” I was 13 years old when this song was released.

And the people bowed and prayed

To the neon god they made

And the sign flashed out its warning

In the words that it was forming

And the sign said, “The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls In tenement halls”

And whispered in the sounds of silence (Paul Simon, 1964)

My Songs and My Focus Have Changed

Oh Death!

In addition to “His Mercy Is More” there is a song that is from a group MercyMe. The song is “Oh Death.” There is a story behind the song, and you can hear it at this YouTube LINK.

However, before you listen to the back story I would encourage you to listen to the song. Then, when and if you come to my funeral, keep these words in mind.

This song repeats the truths in the letter Paul wrote to the church in Corinth in 1 Corinthians.

“When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, 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?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 15:54-57

All scripture passages are from the English Standard Version except as otherwise noted.