The Truth About Life and Death

Last night during dinner, David began sharing stories from his day at school. These moments around the table are some of my favorites simple, ordinary, yet full of hidden lessons that often reflect deeper truths about life and faith.

He told us that after P.E. class, he was the only one among his 7th-grade classmates who took a shower. The rest of them were, in his words, “too lazy to do it.” He laughed as he told us how quiet the shower room was without anyone teasing or bickering. I smiled and thought to myself how refreshing it is to see him growing into a young man who values cleanliness and enjoys the small moments of solitude.

Then, with a change in tone, he shared something that caught my heart.
“One of my friends from another class shaved his head today,” he said softly. “He looked really sad, so I sat beside him on the bench.”

I asked what happened, and David told us that his friend’s father had just passed away. His friend had shaved his head as part of their Buddhist funeral tradition.

David continued, “I felt sorry for him. If that happened to me, I would be very sad too… but I don’t think I would shave my head.”

We gently explained that shaving the head is part of Cambodian Buddhist mourning customs an expression of sorrow and respect for the deceased. Then we reminded him, “As followers of Christ, we have different beliefs about life and death, but this is a good time to show compassion and kindness to your friend. It’s not about following the ritual it’s about being there for someone who’s grieving.”

I told him, “It was good that you sat beside him. Sometimes, just being there without saying much is the best comfort you can offer.”

David nodded quietly, understanding more than I expected.

That simple dinner conversation opened a window into something deeper. It reminded me of the truth that grief is universal, and death is something every culture faces, yet the hope we hold as believers makes all the difference.

Cambodian Funeral Traditions

In Cambodia, funerals are sacred and deeply tied to cultural and religious beliefs. For many Buddhist families, mourning is not only an emotional process but also a spiritual one.

To express love and pity for the deceased, the spouse and children often shave their heads and wear plain white clothing a sign of purity and detachment from earthly things. Sons or grandsons of the deceased sometimes become monks during the funeral period as a way of honoring their loved one’s spirit and earning merit for them.

from one of my students (Grandma's Intermittent at home)

The body is brought home, washed, dressed, and placed in a coffin. Each evening, monks come to perform sermons and prayers for the departed. Families are careful to keep the body away from animals, believing that if an animal cries near the body, the spirit might attach to it. There is even an old belief that a cat jumping over a coffin could cause the spirit to turn evil.

from Sunrise Cambodia News

The body is kept at home for seven days. On the final day, the family holds a solemn parade, carrying the coffin around the temple three times before cremation. The oldest daughter throws coins behind her without looking back, symbolizing letting go. After cremation, the ashes may be kept at home or placed in the temple, and a memorial ceremony follows on the 100th day.

These traditions are expressions of deep love and respect human attempts to find peace, to honor life, and to seek connection beyond the grave.

As Christians living in Cambodia, we are surrounded by these customs. We may not participate in the same rituals, but we are called to understand them, respect them, and most importantly, show the compassion of Christ to those who mourn.

Life and Death: The Universal Truth

No matter where we come from, one truth remains the same death is part of life.

It doesn’t matter how wealthy we are, how healthy we try to be, or how advanced the world becomes death will always be the final chapter of our physical existence. It’s something we all must face.

That might sound somber, but the truth about death in the light of Christ is actually filled with hope. Because for those who belong to Him, death is not the end of the story. It’s only the beginning of a new and everlasting life.

The Hope We Have in Christ

Romans 8:11 (NLT) says,
“The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.”

This verse gives such powerful comfort.

Death, which has always been humanity’s greatest fear, has been conquered. Jesus faced it head-on, taking the punishment of sin upon Himself so that death would lose its sting. Because of His resurrection, we now live with a promise a guarantee that even when our bodies perish, our souls will live forever with Him.

Death is no longer a wall that separates us from hope. It has become a doorway into God’s eternal presence. 

When Compassion Opens the Door to the Gospel

David’s small act of sitting beside his grieving classmate was a quiet act of love. It reminded me that sometimes the best way to share Christ’s love is not through grand gestures or eloquent words, but through presence being there, listening, and showing genuine care.

When we are surrounded by people who do not share our faith, our response in moments of sorrow can speak volumes about the God we serve. Grief touches everyone, but how we face it with peace, with assurance, with hope can point others to the source of our strength.

In moments like these, we don’t have to preach loudly. We can simply live the gospel by comforting those who mourn, by praying quietly for those in pain, and by showing respect and understanding. These small moments can become divine opportunities to share the message of eternal life through Christ.

Understanding the Fragility of Life

One thing that funerals often remind us of is the fragility of life. None of us knows how long we will live. We plan, we dream, we work, and we build but one day, all these earthly things will fade away.

Psalm 39:4–5 says,
“Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered—how fleeting my life is.”

This verse doesn’t aim to make us fearful, but mindful. It calls us to live each day intentionally loving God, loving others, and living for what truly matters.

As I think about that young boy who lost his father, I can only imagine the pain his family feels. Yet in that pain, there is a reminder for all of us: life is a precious gift. We cannot control how long it lasts, but we can choose how we live it with gratitude, purpose, and faith.

What Death Teaches Us About God’s Grace

When we lose someone, we often realize how much we took life for granted. But through grief, God gently reminds us of His grace.

He shows us that every breath we take is a gift. Every sunrise is another opportunity to reconcile, forgive, and love deeply. Death teaches us not to hold grudges, not to live for ourselves, and not to waste time chasing what won’t last.

Ecclesiastes 7:2 says,
“It is better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for death is the destiny of everyone; the living should take this to heart.”

In times of mourning, our hearts become more open to eternal truths. The noise of life grows quiet, and we begin to ask the most important questions: What happens after this life? Where will I go? Who can save me?

And that’s where the gospel becomes so beautiful, because it answers those questions with assurance, not fear.

The Gospel of Life in the Midst of Death

Jesus said in John 11:25–26,
“I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die.”

When Jesus spoke those words, He wasn’t offering a comforting idea He was declaring a reality. He has the power to give life where there is death.

That’s the heart of the gospel: Jesus didn’t come to make bad people good; He came to bring dead souls back to life.

Through His death and resurrection, He broke the curse of sin, defeated death, and opened the door to eternal life.

So, while the world sees death as an end, we see it as the beginning of a new chapter life in God’s eternal presence, where there will be no more pain, tears, or sorrow.

Living with an Eternal Perspective

If we truly believe that our citizenship is in heaven, our perspective on life changes.

We become less attached to the things of this world possessions, achievements, or appearances and more focused on what has eternal value: faith, relationships, service, and love.

Colossians 3:2 says,
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

That doesn’t mean we neglect our responsibilities here on earth. Rather, we live with a deeper purpose. We become more intentional about how we use our time and how we share the love of God with others.

Every day becomes an opportunity to reflect His light to encourage, to forgive, and to bring hope to those who feel lost.

Showing Christ’s Love in a Grieving World

In a country like Cambodia, where Buddhist traditions are deeply rooted, it’s easy to feel hesitant about how to respond during times of mourning. But compassion transcends religion.

As followers of Jesus, we are called to be present. To weep with those who weep. To extend comfort without judgment. To let our gentleness reflect the heart of Christ.

Romans 12:15 reminds us,
“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”

Sometimes the most powerful testimony is not a sermon, but a compassionate act a visit, a prayer, a comforting presence.

As David learned, simply sitting beside a grieving friend can be a form of ministry. It is in these quiet moments that the love of Christ shines the brightest.

Death is Not the End

The truth about life and death is simple yet profound:
Life is temporary, but our souls are eternal.

Death may separate us from loved ones for a time, but for those who are in Christ, there is a glorious reunion awaiting us.

Revelation 21:4 promises,
“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”

This is the hope that sustains us the truth that allows us to face loss without despair and to live each day with peace.

No other promise compares to this. No other faith offers such assurance. Jesus didn’t just speak about eternal life; He proved it by rising from the grave.

A Call to Reflect

As I think about David’s classmate and his family, I find myself praying for them.
I pray that in their grief, they may feel comfort. And I also pray that one day, they may come to know the hope that we have in Christ the hope that death cannot destroy.

For us who believe, may this story remind us to reconnect with others to share God’s amazing love and grace in simple, genuine ways.

We don’t need to wait for a tragedy to talk about faith. Every day we have is a chance to live out the gospel to be kind, to forgive, to listen, and to love.

Life is fragile, but grace is strong.
And even when we face the reality of death, we can hold on to the truth that God’s Spirit gives life to our mortal bodies.

The story doesn’t end in the grave. It continues in the presence of the One who conquered it.

A Prayer for Those Who Mourn

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for reminding us that life is a gift and death is not the end.
We lift up those who are grieving today may Your peace surround them, and may Your presence comfort them.
Teach us to live with eternal purpose and to show compassion to those who mourn.
Help us to be Your light in moments of darkness and to share the hope we have in Christ.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

In every culture, death brings pain. But through Christ, death also brings a promise eternal life.
Let’s live each day in light of that truth, showing the same compassion, hope, and love that our Savior showed to us. 

By His grace, 
The Hourngs 💕🙏