Walter Wiens's vision to write Preparing to Cross the Finish Line began when he sensed God's gentle Spirit urging him to write what he had experienced and learned about funerals in his pastoral ministry. The purpose of this book is to help families in their time of grief as well as pastors who counsel families when death has occurred. Walter believes that funeral planning is a healthy extension of life. Using the metaphor "crossing the finish line," he makes clear that a person's preparedness to cross the finish line does not involve only the funeral preparations but begins long before the final stage of life. A redemptive crossing of the "finish line" includes a right relationship with God, with other people, and with oneself.

The book is organized into two parts. The first part, A Guide for Families and Individuals, is directed to aging individuals and their families. The 11 chapters in this section serve as a practical primer for all aspects of the planning process from the naming of the service to preparation of the memorial bulletin and selection of the pallbearers. The author's sensitivity in discussing difficult issues such as family conflict in funeral planning is a strength of this publication. The second part, A Guide for Pastors, applies to clergy and others with responsibility to plan funeral services. In this section, the author reflects on theological beliefs and how these relate to areas such as the funeral message. Additionally, Wiens addresses an amazingly comprehensive number of end-of-life issues, including conducting funerals during a pandemic, funerals when death was by suicide, funerals for those not of the faith, funerals after lengthy and painful deaths, and funerals for victims of murder. Both sections of this book are enriched by numerous inset boxes containing quotes or relevant theme summaries. Readers will also appreciate the prayers at the end of each chapter. This publication offers 8 appendices, with information forms and advice in legal, financial or health matters. An easy-to-use index spanning both sections will help readers locate specifics they are looking for.