Family Life Themes in Funeral Sermons

Besides the theological lecture about death, the core of a funeral speech was composed from the description of the deceased virtuous life. It should have served as an instruction to good and meaningful life for the mourners and to show them how they could earn a death leading to blessed eternity. The sermon emphasized good family background and encouraged family members to show respect and esteem for each other. In broader context, this was reflected in the relationship between serfs and a ruler who was presented as a good father of a motherland. Funeral speech can also serve as a document about the public life of a dead person and his/her relationship with broader neighborhood.