--- title: Death into Life description: A funeral reminds us of what Jesus has both given us and called us to. --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2014/01/08/death-into-life#) # Death into Life Jan 8, 2014 9:30:01 AM  |  by [Deanna Bartalini](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/deanna-bartalini) This is not the post I was going to write.  I was going to write about the New Year and resolutions and goals.  But I went to a funeral and so now death is on my mind. His life was full, cut short by a tragic accident just after Christmas.  Jeff was only sixty-one years old, survived by his wife, brother, and father.  Our pastor gave a homily that told us about the man Jeff was and how he lived life as a disciple, seeing what needed to be done, taking care of it quietly, and not calling attention to himself.  What a beautiful testimony of faith and belief in Jesus. The funeral Mass was a true celebration of his life.  The music chosen reflected joy that when we pass from this life it is into new life.  The recessional song was “Soon and very Soon” with the verses telling us “we are going to see the King” and that there is “no more crying there”. It was during communion though that my thoughts and prayers came together.  We sang “Amazing Grace” by Chris Tomlin.  As I sang, “these chains are gone, we’ve been set free” I realized that Jeff has been set free of what bound him in this life.  Whatever questions, doubts, and troubles he had are gone and are replaced with a surety that Jesus has saved him and set him free. And so that is cause for celebration.  While we are here on earth we strive to live as disciples and stand firm in the belief that we are free because Jesus has saved us, but we still doubt.  We have our struggles. I suppose that is the human condition.  My prayer then is for my eyes of faith to be opened more fully and to believe what God shows me. *Copyright 2014 Deanna Bartalini* *photo source: [Ricardo Bernardes](http://www.flickr.com/photos/cadinho/) on [Flickr](http://www.flickr.com/photos/cadinho/3487405685/in/photolist-6aPQQr-6jaSde-6S895R-7mcw7X-7mgqhs-94doVn-dhuUeN-92bLSy-928D5p-92bLTS-928D9k-928Dmr-92bLWw-92bLwU-92bLtG-cpmFoh-cpmG4W-bVLYq3-cpmGq9-bqv3Hq-98Pcxj-92bLM1-92bLBN-928Dc6-92bLJd-9471hc-afigTX-dNKsps-dNKsmm-dNKsqj-dNDRmD-dNDRcR-dNKseY-dNDRg8-dNKsgA-dNDReg-dNDR4P-dNKsdJ-b6P4b6-aexsYr-a1MxoA-7zwGwS-9txdv2-9tAaHG-9txdpx-9tAaHW-9tAaPj-9tAaHf-9tAaGQ-9tAaFN-fnQH5W/)* ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2014%2F01%2F08%2Fdeath-into-life%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2014%2F01%2F08%2Fdeath-into-life%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2014%2F01%2F08%2Fdeath-into-life%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Death%20into%20Life) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2014%2F01%2F08%2Fdeath-into-life%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2014%2F01%2F08%2Fdeath-into-life%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Deanna Bartalini](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Deanna%20Bartalini%202025-1.png) ### [Deanna Bartalini](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/deanna-bartalini) Deanna G. Bartalini, M.Ed., M.P.A. is a certified spiritual director, retreat leader, speaker, and writer with decades of experience serving the Church. She is the founder of [LiveNotLukewarm.com](https://LiveNotLukewarm.com), works on the retreat team at Our Lady of Florida Passionist Spiritual Center, and is an Unbound prayer minister. Deanna writes from her experiences of over 40 years of marriage, children and grandchildren. ## Related Blog Articles [ Learn to Have Hope—No Matter What Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/learn-to-have-hope-no-matter-what) [ Fasting Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2014/10/22/fasting) [ Freedom From...or Freedom For? Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2014/01/29/freedom-from-or-freedom-for) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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