Do people who don't believe in God's existence have funerals?

Question

Out of curiousity, when an non-believer dies or has to bury a loved one, do you have a funeral service? Is it held in a cemetery? Do you get cremated or buried? Because you don't believe of God's existence I assume you don't say prayers over the deceased. Do you tell stories about the deceased to remember the good times? Is there a particular person that leads the service? Do you visit the grave sight during the year and if you do, do you talk to that deceased person as is they can hear you? I was just wondering what happens to dead non-believers and what their families do for them at their death and burial. Thank you for sharing.

I know that the funeral service is for the living to remember and grieve. I'm not stupid. I've never been to a service for a non-believer so I was wondering what goes on. Do relatives talk, tell funny stories of the deceased, bring pictures, is anything put inside the coffin (Christian put rosaries and pictures sometimes), we have priests that do the religious things but do you have a certain person to call to perfomr the service. Is it all done at the cemetary or at the funeral home? Do you ever go back to the grave site and talk to the deceased or put flowers on the headstone? Religious people have traditions they they do for the deceased more than for the living so it's hard for me to picture a funeral without all that. Is your service long? Do you gather in a relatives home or at the funeral home? I'd like details not just the answer that it's for the living to grieve. That I already know.

Answer 1

Usually there is a visitation at a funeral home and often a remembrance ceremony. A friend or family member usually leads a short ceremony. It can be held at the grave or maybe they scatter ashes somewhere or even have a party somewhere. Some people will even hold it in a church, mostly because it's convenient. There are also religions other than your God religion who have certain rituals and ceremonies. Generally, there is a lot of celebration of that person's life.

Sure you talk to them. You don't actually expect them to hear you, but just because you don't believe in God doesn't necessarily mean you don't believe in an afterlife or another plane or the spirit.

Answer 2

Yes. All over the world people whose religions don't have a god still gather to show support and share sorrow when a loved one dies. Funerals are much more for the living than for the person who died. I have been to some wonderful memorial services, and people who came to the services represented many different religions. Agnostics, Buddhists, Muslims, Christians, and atheists were in the group that gathered the last time I went to a memorial gathering. People shared favorite memories and stories of the person who had died, and some gave moving tributes to the person. These events have always been satisfying to me, no matter what the religion or non-religion of the deceased or the people attending. It's a human need to express grief or sadness in a group of supportive people, which is the real reason for funerals and memorial services.

It makes me sad when someone leaves instructions that there is to be no funeral or memorial service. It seems to me that the request deprives the survivors of the comfort and support of others who want to share in celebrating the deceased person's life, and in sharing the (or sometimes relief) at their passing. I think people make such requests because they don't want to bother the survivors with trouble or they want to spare them the expense of a funeral, but nowadays it is possible to have a wonderful memorial gathering for no money whatsoever.

The nature of the gathering will differ depending on the beliefs of the deceased and her/his family, but many people need to mark the loss of the person they knew and loved, and in that way we are all the same.

Answer 3

The mourners at an atheist funeral may chose a variety of ways to honor their lost friend. Not all are expected to be atheists. It's true that there is likely no mention of life after death nor any prayers directed, but all of that would be arranged at the desire of the family... or according to the requested pre-arrangements made by the deceased. There is not set rule for any of it - people are free to embarrass themselves however they choose.

It is my usual manor is to dress as an ape and attend the funeral service honoring the loss of a life while eating a bunch of bananas and celebrating the possibility of a Darwinian evolution out of the deceased remains - I'm hoping that a newly evolved being will turn into a real-live, walkin-n-talkin', hardcore son of a real God this time, (a much more credible beginning than the virgin birth thing) .... Jesus, wouldn't that be kool?.

I know what I want when I die... I'm into spreading my ashes far and wide and I'd like to have my ashes spread in an explosion of some kind... Like a giant fireworks display.

As for talking to the dead... what are you , stupid? Dead people can't hear. I do like to remember the lives of people who have died... to remember what they taught me and how I loved them. But seriously talk to them as if they could hear me...??? Duh.

[][][] r u randy? [][][]

Answer 4

I don't know if you'd say I beleive in God or not. I believe in a deity, but what we picture is way differant than what Christians picture. At funerals, I read the following passage from my sacred book, and it comforts me:

Empty your mind of all thoughts.
Let your heart be at peace.
Watch the turmoil of beings
but contemplate their return.

Each seperate being in the universe
returns to the common source.
Returning to the source is serenity.

If you don't realize the source
you stumble in confusion and sorrow.
When you realize where you come from
you naturally become tolerant, disinterested,
amused, Kindhearted as a grandmother,
dignified as a king.

Immersed in the wonder of the Tao
you can deal with what life brings you.
And when death comes you are ready.

THANKS FOR THAT INTEREST. I HOPE EVERYTHING IS OK. MAY THE GREAT POWER BLESS YOU.

Answer 5

All the Atheist funerals Ive been to, the funeral parlor cremated the body after all the usable parts were removed to help others and then ceremoniously disposed of, like sprinkled over that persons favorite place.
The funeral was about the living and we told stories, laughed and cried about our dear friend. The dead person is gone, those still alive have needs when they lose a friend.

Answer 6

You can still pray for people even if they don't believe! And it's pretty much up to the people who passed on what they will do at their funeral. I would think that more of them would get cremated because a burial is more of a religious tradition.
But some people who don't believe in God probably get buried by their families who may still be religious and wish them to be buried under their traditions. Guess it all depends on them!

Answer 7

Remember, funeral services are for the living, not the dead. Some of us have funerals, but they are for people to mourn and get over our deaths, not for our souls. Just like theists, they often have their freinds say some kind words and loved ones occasionally visit the grave.
Myself, I'm not into that. I'm just donating my body to science so some good can come of it. My loved ones may have a memorial service, however.

Answer 8

My father was raised a High Anglican. At the age of 12, after reading the bible from cover to cover, he gave it up and became an agnostic.

In life, he was a polymer chemist and was Head Chemist for Colgate in Toronto Canada. He was always a scientist even though in mid life, he changed his career and became a journalist. His wish upon death was to have his body donated to the University of Toronto.

When he died, we fulfilled his wishes. Always a giver, even to the end, he wanted his body to be used to help a young new scientist or doctor in their studies. One month later, we had a memorial service for him. It was spectacular! Friends and family gathering at a lovely restaurant - pictures projected of him on a movie screen - everyone telling stories - it was a wonderful send off. And his eulogy? It was given by a man that my father had mentored.

So no. Religion or no religion, when it comes to the death of a loved one, everyone will do something special for them. Particularly if they were as loved as my father.

Answer 9

Non believers tend to have religious services for weddings and funerals as a formality even though they do not believe. I know many non-believers who want to have a big church wedding.
Some have even said prayer to go by the "just in case" theory that God might exist.

Answer 10

my friends mother had a humanist service ... and although i believe in God
i have to say that this was a beautiful .. funny .. dignified service
i would go as far to say one of the best yet most emotional that i have attended
they spoke about her life .. her children .. what she done for others around her
they read a letter she had prepared as she knew she was dying ... they played some lovely songs ... some funny songs
and they had a moment of reflection and asked that if we prayed that we could have a silent prayer at that moment
it was respectful of everyone present