Theological Reflections Towards Developing More Adequate Pastoral Strategies in Cases of Tragic Bereavement

Abstract

This paper reflects theologically on issues related to death and funerals with a specific focus on seeking to create more adequate pastoral support in cases of especially tragic bereavement (e.g. deaths of children and young people, suicides). It discusses the question of suffering and evil and the development of theodicies appropriate to difficult pastoral situations, with particular reference to the writings of John Calvin, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Daniel Migliore and Nicholas Wolterstorff.