It will be a cremation. What is the correct attire; do they have floral tributes; do they have a service. Any useful information would be appreciated.
2007-07-10 12:08:32 · 21 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Just be respectful. Flowers are okay. Dress nicely - conservatively is good.
The only witness funeral I went to where there wasn't some kind of sermon was one where we were all witnesses and all friends of the man who'd died. It was actually a celebration of his life. Those who spoke told firsthand experiences of the man's life. It was actually very positive. Of course, we all believed that because of his fulfillment of a faithful Christian life, he was "asleep in death" until the resurrection to earthly life after Armageddon.
What's most likely is that there will be some level of sermon talking about the witnesses' belief that death is a sleeplike state of non-existence, with future life "prospects" left in the memory of God.
The more "worldly" (non-JW) people they expect to be there, the more of a production they'll put on. This is a big opportunity for them to get a captive audience of people they might otherwise never talk to.
Several years ago, I attended a witnesses funeral for four teenage witnesses who had died in a car crash on their way to school. Hundreds of kids showed up and crowded the kingdom hall. It was standing room only throughout the building and out into the parking lot, where extra speakers were placed to pipe the service everywhere.
Whatever your personal beliefs are, just leave them at the door. This isn't the time to try to convince the witnesses they're cult victims. It's just a time to show respect for the one who's died. Wherever they are, or wherever they will be, they will be grateful that you showed up for them.
Edit: I guess I should mention I planned my husband's witness funeral several years ago. He had picked the song ahead of time, and the speaker was a close friend. It was in the town where he was born and raised and many non-witness friends he grew up with came to the Kingdom Hall for the one and only time in their lives that they were willing to enter one. It meant a lot to him before he died to know that he'd be able to speak about his beliefs to people he cared about. Whatever your relationship with the "honoree," it's likely that your presence and your relationship with him/her will affect the contect of the service.
2007-07-10 14:39:26 · answer #1 · answered by Suzanne 5 · 5⤊ 2⤋
Jehovahs Witness Funeral
2016-12-08 16:10:16 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is the same as most other funerals (minus the talking about being in heaven). Wear what you would wear to any other funeral. The family does accept flowers and condolences. First, they will probably sing a song and will say a prayer. A brother will come up and speak about the deceased. The family might say something about the person. If you have a Bible, bring it. They will use scriptures when the speak about the person and the condition of the dead. At the end, they will sing a song and say a prayer. That is about it.
2007-07-10 12:23:51 · answer #3 · answered by ♥Catherine♥ 4 · 5⤊ 1⤋
It will be a formal service. Bring your Bible if you have one, if not you may look on with the person who invited you. There will be no shouting or bursting out of extreme emotion usually. There may be a song or two. This is mainly a service to comfort the family and to educate onlookers of God's purpose of creating man on earth, the condition of the dead and the hope for the future of mankind who adheres to God's word.
2007-07-10 12:43:10 · answer #4 · answered by JRB 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
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.
Those in attendance will generally wear subdued colors, but black is not required. 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
http://watchtower.org/e/pr/index.htm?article=article_07.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/rq/index.htm?article=article_05.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/dg/index.htm?article=article_10.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/lmn/index.htm?article=article_01.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/ti/index.htm?article=article_09.htm
2007-07-10 13:49:06 · answer #5 · answered by achtung_heiss 7 · 4⤊ 1⤋
wear a suit for a man..... a dress for a woman
send flowers if you like
there will be a service..a 30 minute talk
then at the grave sight another 15 minute talk.
There will be a lot of fellowship and introductions.
They may go out to eat afterwards as a group.
2007-07-10 13:02:57 · answer #6 · answered by debbie2243 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
How very thoughtful of you to ask. Do not expect a lot of pomp and ritual. It will be a quiet dignified memorial service. If you do not own a suit, just slacks and a shirt will be fine. Again kudos to you for your thoughtfulness.
2007-07-10 12:52:24 · answer #7 · answered by Patricia L 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it will be dignified and simple.
They will talk about Jesus Christ and his role as King of Jehovah God's Kingdom. They will talk about how over the 1,000 years on earth, Paradise will be restored and mankind resurrected to Paradise, will return to perfection. Then at the end of the 1,000 years, as it says in Revelation, 'Satan will be loosed for a short time, trying to take all of Jehovah's witnesses that he can." Everyone on the earth at that time will be perfect, like Adam, Eve and Christ, and ALL will have to make a decision on who to serve ONE FINAL TIME. Then, when everyone has been tested, the ultimate END comes, "once and for all time." Satan and his Angels are destroyed completely, Hell and Death are thrown into the Lake of Fire (which means the 2nd Death or ETERNAL DESTRUCTION (Rev. 21)). Meaning that from that day forward, no one will ever die again, this is the promise Christ left and they look forward too. Eternal, peaceful life on a Perfect Earth where just like Adam and Eve, they will have the opportunity to worship Jehovah God through his son, Christ Jesus who died for all; FOREVER!
Then usually they close the service with a song from their song book.
Yeah, real sinister.
2007-07-10 12:20:28 · answer #8 · answered by AdamKadmon 7 · 9⤊ 2⤋
just like a regular service without the drama all that jumping and shouting with a talk for about 30minutes about what to expected after death and a new life, and fellowship follow ( re pass). also they sing.
2007-07-10 13:14:07 · answer #9 · answered by lydia 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
don't be nervous. my late husband was cremated also. we say a prayer, a brother will talk about the person who died, we then sing a song that is picked out from the family and then we say another prayer. if you are a man, a suit would be nice with a tie, or a lady to wear a dress. no pants. we do not try to change your religion. learn what witnesses are about at www.watchtower.org. people on here who know nothing about us will tell lies or someone who turned there back on Jehovah will slander us. don't listen to them. I promise you we will not change you. we will welcome you into the kingdom hall.
2007-07-10 12:15:16 · answer #10 · answered by lover of Jehovah and Jesus 7 · 11⤊ 2⤋