Are they the same as regular funerals? What do they do when one of their people die?
2006-11-14 10:53:42 · 8 answers · asked by babyphat 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
There are no particular rituals involved in Jehovah's Witness funerals, cremations, or burials. All specifics are decided by the family of the deceased, or the deceased himself by means of will.
Generally, a ten- to twenty-minute bible-based talk is delivered by a congregation elder or family member at a funeral home, Kingdom Hall, or other dignified location. The deceased is not eulogized, but is remembered. Prayers are offered. At the graveside, a few bible passages may be read and another prayer offered.
Of course, Jehovah's Witness funerals are not as depressed as those with no hope.
(1 Thessalonians 4:13) Moreover, brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant concerning those who are sleeping in death; that you may not sorrow just as the rest also do who have no hope.
Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/20050501/article_02.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/20050101a/article_01.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/20050815/article_01.htm
2006-11-14 15:37:12 · answer #1 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have been to JW memorial services and funerals. They speak about the life history of the deceased. Then they give a scriptural explanation of why we die; what happens at death and the resurrection hope. Sometimes they have appropriate music, sometimes the deceased favorite song. They pray for the comfort of the survivors. When the corpse is present they can view the body. All funerals are sad, but I found these really do give hope and comfort.
2006-11-14 11:05:58 · answer #2 · answered by linniepooh 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
My parents' Will says for them to be cremate and the ashes disposed of. The Kingdom Hall will have a "come all" memorial service on Saturday. Most witnesses use cremation, as they don't immortalize the dead. Generally there are no headstones or monuments when someone is buried. The body is just a husk containing the stored data of a humans life. When you die you name, and all that you were, is either written in the Book of Life or it isn't. If you are resurrected, all that you were is downloaded into the brain of a new body. Whether you will look like yourself or not is anyone's guess, since your new body will be genetically perfect.
My own will says cremate and flush down the nearest toilet, but I was disfellowshipped in 1982.
The main thing is that JWs recognize that death is not an ending. They fully expect to see each other again. Most non-JW Christians say they believe in life after death, when it comes right down to it, their faith often falls short when it comes right down to dealing with a death.
2006-11-14 20:45:10 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Witnesses have the same thing everyone else has. The only difference is they usually have a "Memorial Service" at a Kingdom Hall for the deceased. They have funeral services, viewings, private services and cremation too. There is no difference
2006-11-14 21:26:04 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
We do the same as everyone else! We have a service, we bury our loved ones, and yes we cry! Death is not something natural. The Bible speaks of death as an enemy, but God Jehovah send his only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to earth to give his life as a ransom sacrifice so that we through him can gain everlasting life if we are faithful to the end.We however have the hope of a resurrection , to come back in Paradise , as Jesus promised. He even promised this to the one hanging beside him when he was impaled. He said :Today I say to you, You will be with me in Paradise. In other words he promised him a resurrection in the future. We believe that when we die we are in the common grave of mankind and when time is, God will remember us and resurrect us to life again with a body recognizeable for our loved ones . God was able to create us from dust , so surely he will be able to resurrect us. We, Jehovahs Wittnessses , however do not fear death because we have an assured hope, that this will happen. Without the hope of a resurrection made possible by Christ our whole faith would be in vain. This is what he came here to this world to do, to die for us so that we can live!
2006-11-14 11:18:06 · answer #5 · answered by calzack 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am not sure how they handle death and funerals, but what I do know is that on Saturday mornings they BUG THE CRAP OUTTA ME! and I even have a sign on my door stating that WE ARE CATHOLIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2006-11-14 11:03:59 · answer #6 · answered by BubbleGumBoobs! 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
AS far as I know it is a pretty standard Christian service
david
2006-11-14 11:01:52 · answer #7 · answered by judge_smails_sir 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They take there dead out to the wolves in the forest its cheaper than a funeral
2006-11-14 10:58:24 · answer #8 · answered by rocko33543 3 · 0⤊ 6⤋