Encore Post: The expression “pass away” is a ubiquitous term among English speakers. It’s a euphemism intended, in kindness, to soften the blow of death. I’m certain. No one uses “pass away” to mislead anyone. But the term conceals reality. And, it fails to confess the great news for Christians in the bitterness of death.
A euphemism is simply a good sounding word to use in place of a term that may be profane, uncomfortable, hurtful, or off-putting. The Greek rooting of “euphemism” means nearly the same: good speaking. The good speaking serves to conceal or soften uncomfortable things.
I can’t speak to the origin of “pass away” in common parlance for death. The funeral industry has certainly embraced the use of it. Again, this isn’t a malicious use of the euphemism. They are likely trying to protect people’s feelings. But, there may have been a theological driver here too.
For some folks, we may not be able to speak well confidently about their state after death. With no evidence of Christianity, there’s no hope of salvation or resurrection to eternal life. We should and do hope that something is hidden from us. But some dwell in sin and separation from God by their own doing.
Other Christian traditions place great importance on our actions regarding God. A Baptist may be disinclined to trust in infant baptism. They believe that, contrary to the scriptures, a person must make a public confession as an adult and be baptized for the first time, or again, as an outward sign of the internal decision to accept Jesus. When a Romanist or a Lutheran dies, the Baptist may not have a full-throated confidence in their rest in Christ. This finds confidence in the works and words of man, not God.
We begin the funeral service with a remembrance of baptism. That’s the key fact for Christianity. Pastor starts, “In Holy Baptism [the deceased] was clothed with the robe of Christ’s righteousness that covered all his or her sin. St. Paul says: “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?” (Romans 6:3) The congregation speaks along, “We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we shall certainly be united with Him in a resurrection like His.” (Roman 6:4)
But I digress. Let’s get back to the euphemistic “passing away” as a term for death. Do the scriptures speak about passing away? Yup, they sure do.
“Terrors are turned upon me; my honor is pursued as by the wind, and my prosperity has passed away like a cloud.” (Job 30:15) This is negative. For Job, all the good things of his life, before his affliction, have passed away.
“I have seen a wicked, ruthless man spreading himself like a green laurel tree. But he passed away, and behold, he was no more; though I sought him, he could not be found.” (Psalm 37:35-36) This is negative. In the Psalms, wicked things, wicked people, and the brokenness of a fallen creation pass away.
“'[The Assyrian’s] rock shall pass away in terror, and his officers desert the standard in panic,’ declares the LORD, whose fire is in Zion, and whose furnace is in Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 31:9) This is negative. The power of Israel’s oppressor is the thing passing away.
“Woe to those who lie on beds of ivory and stretch themselves out on their couches… Therefore they shall now be the first of those who go into exile, and the revelry of those who stretch themselves out shall pass away.” (Amos 6:4a, 7) This is negative. In the minor prophets, things that pass away are wicked or sinful.
(See also – Job 6:14-16; Job 11:16; Job 34:18-20; Psalm 90:7-9; Psalm 102:3-5; Psalm 148:5-6; Isaiah 2:17-18; Jeremiah 8:14; Daniel 7:13-14; Nahum 1:12-13; Zephaniah 2:1-2)
Speaking the way the scriptures speak, we are saying that those things which pass away are wicked, evil, sinful, oppressive, or in need of destruction. We ought to speak well of those who have died, even in our simple expressions.
They who rest in Christ have not passed away.
Rev. Jason M. Kaspar
Sole Pastor
Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church & Preschool
La Grange, TX
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…but all of their sins have passed away at their death.
True, but that’s just one more wicked thing that has passed away. Our loved ones still have not passed away.
I bought a life insurance policy which you fill out a form with all your instructions for your funeral. One of the tasks is writing your own obituary. I avoided euphemisms, and praising myself for anything I did good. I’ve read some cringe worthy obituaries and want to avoid that for my own. The best way to avoid that is have a Lutheran pastor read my pre-death obituary and give suggestions on what to critique.
Good on you! That’s an excellent plan and practice.
Was an interesting review of what we do need to “BRUSH UP ON” I have been LCMS SINCE I WAS BORN….. but when we get to be four score and four our minds to Need to get some gentle reaffirmation of our future according to our past education. Thank You !
You’re welcome. I’m glad you found it useful.
So what do you suggest, as a solution , instead? Pass on, pass over (too much like Jewish Passover), or something entirely different?
Let’s stick with what is most true and sure. Died, honesty is always best. Say it, put it out there, get on with the grieving to get through the worst of it. The scripture also give us things like: gone to rest, at the marriage feast of the Lamb, in the bosom of Abraham, at rest in Christ…
Would it be truth to ask another about those who would be very old this question: “Are they still with us?”.
In bidding a very old person farewell as I give a hug, I say, “God be with you ’til we meet again.”
Excellent article, Reverend. Thank you.
You’re very welcome.
The closest we’ll ever be to our deceased loved ones is at the altar of the Lord, receiving the sacrament. That moment of heaven touching earth is a glimpse for us of the unending marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom. We are with them right then.