Funeral by a non christian family

[matthyaouw]

I went to one today. I won't bore you with the details, but something struck me as out of place. It was the funeral of a non-christian boy from a non-christian family, and yet it was performed by a vicar, with all appropriate prayers and glory to god. Some parts were really heart felt and got to me a bit, but whenever god was mentioned, it just seemed so hollow and empty. Why is it funerals always seem to be religiously based? Has anyone been to one that wasn't?

 

[hypatia]

Yes I have been to several that had no God/church involvment at all, altho people were told if it make them feel better, they could say a prayer to themselfs. They played favorit music, and invited people to share stories, it was really nice.



PS, sorry for your loss

 

[Smurf]

The only funeral I've been to was my grandfather and he was a christian, in a christian town, with a christian wife. It was a very christian funeral.

There were mainly christians there.

 

[JamesU]

The only funeral I've been to was my grandfather and he was a christian, in a christian town, with a christian wife.

The development of the story

It was a very christian funeral.

and the shocking climax! so unexpected

 

[Smurf]

I've added a conclusion. Enjoy.

 

[JamesU]

A truly shocking and compelling ending.

The Chritian Funeral, a novella by - Smurf


Incredible ending!

 

[Astronuc]

Why is it funerals always seem to be religiously based? Has anyone been to one that wasn't?

Unitarians-Universalists do both religious and non-religious depending on the wishes of the individual and family. UU's do funerals or memorial services, and they are tailored to atheists, agnostics, Christians, pagans, non-Christians and any combination thereof. We like to cover everyone. We do the same for marriages/unions/commitments or whatever one wants to call it.

Sorry to hear about your loss.

I expect that I will have funeral to go to soon based on the situation with one of my wife's aunts. She's in hospice.

Two weeks ago, I attended a memorial service for an elderly woman my wife and I had known for quite for about 15 years. Unfortunately, I have quite a few older friends and acquaintances, and I expect the pace of funerals and memorial services will be picking up.

 

[Smurf]

The guy just got back from a funeral and we're making a mockery out of his thread. For shame.

 

[JamesU]

oh, I'm really sorry, mathyaou. I didn't mean to hijack your thread, especially in this difficult situation.

Sorry to hear of your loss

 

[Moonbear]

My condolences on your loss.

The ceremony is more important to the family and friends than to the deceased. When my grandfather died (he was non-religious; believed in God, but nothing more than that), my grandmother, who was Catholic, had a Catholic priest officiate over the funeral service. That bugged me a lot at the time knowing my grandfather's views on religion, but over time, I realized that if it comforted my grandmother, then that would have been more important to him than who was performing the service.

 

[honestrosewater]

Sorry, matthyaouw.

Every funeral I've been to had a strong religious aspect to it. I don't think trying to make sense of the way people grieve works out very well. I didn't go to my grandmother's funeral, which might not make sense to everyone, but my absence there doesn't reflect my thoughts or feelings about her. I had just figured out that I grieve differently than the rest of my family, and it was better for everyone that I not be there. Anyway, I guess I mean that dealing with great loss can be complicated, and sometimes feeling works better than thinking.

 

[matthyaouw]

Thanks for the condolances, and for sharing your stories.