Every time I walk a family through funeral planning. My mind is struck by how enlightening this time can be for people.

A funeral service has a unique way of cutting through the noise of our daily lives. As we sit surrounded by grieving family and friends, we are confronted with the undeniable reality of our mortality. The life of the person we’re mourning, once vibrant and full of activity, is now over.

And in that space, a profound shift occurs. The things we once thought were so crucial suddenly lose their luster. The size of the deceased’s home, the brand of their clothes, the items they collected, and the trophies achieved are utterly meaningless in the face of eternity.

Listen closely to any eulogy, and you’ll notice what’s missing. No one celebrates how much someone owned or earned. Instead, we honor their compassion, integrity, generosity, and the relationships they nurtured. We speak of lives touched, communities served, and love freely given.

A funeral, while deeply painful, can serve as a powerful and necessary reset. It forces us to pause and evaluate our own lives. Are we chasing after fleeting treasures that will one day turn to dust? Or are we investing in things that will last for eternity?

In the end, it’s not about what we had, but who we were and whose we are.