Having no "religion", I should leave some instructions for my
funeral rites for those I left behind, so that they will not be
uncertain of what to do or worse, quarrel over what should be done. What options do I have for my funeral rites?
2007-07-23 16:16:29 · 22 answers · asked by wcsj 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
My wife plans a memorial service at which Gilbert and Sullivan songs will be sung. We are both G&S fans.
2007-07-23 16:20:21 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The idea that I had for my own (I'm a cancer survivor who has actually planned my own funeral out in advance--thankfully those plans don't appear to be needed right now) was to make it a celebration of my life. The same pastor who oversaw my wedding is a rare man: So long as respect is shown for the religious, he has no trouble seeing to the wishes of disbelievers. While every single person in attendance at my wedding knows I'm an Atheist, I still wanted the pastor to lead a prayer for the rest of my family--nearly all of which hold a Christian denomination. He did it very well: "The bride and groom have requested a moment of prayer for those who would like to participate..." and the moment went on. I spoke with him about overseeing my funeral, and having the same sort of consideration. He agreed, and had several suggestions for making that happen. This way any prayers said for me were by the choice of those offering the prayer. The funeral itself would fit me for who I was, yet allow the survivors to be who they are and deal with things in their own way.
2016-05-17 04:13:25 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
your an atheist so what difference does it make? do you know the condition of the dead?
(Ecclesiastes 9:5) 5 For the living are conscious that they will die; but as for the dead, they are conscious of nothing at all, neither do they anymore have wages, because the remembrance of them has been forgotten.
(Ecclesiastes 3:18-21) . . .I, even I, have said in my heart with regard to the sons of mankind that the [true] God is going to select them, that they may see that they themselves are beasts. 19 For there is an eventuality as respects the sons of mankind and an eventuality as respects the beast, and they have the same eventuality. As the one dies, so the other dies; and they all have but one spirit, so that there is no superiority of the man over the beast, for everything is vanity. 20 All are going to one place. They have all come to be from the dust, and they are all returning to the dust. 21 Who is there knowing the spirit of the sons of mankind, whether it is ascending upward; and the spirit of the beast, whether it is descending downward to the earth?
2007-07-23 16:47:37 · answer #3 · answered by zorrro857 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A funeral held at a funeral home chapel, where the deceased wasn't religious, they played a selection of his favourite tunes and we were told to pray if that was what we did, or else just think of the good times we knew of the guy while they were playing.Or refer to my question on funerals and see what else there is.
2007-07-23 16:30:01 · answer #4 · answered by JudyS 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just look at the countless secular funerals that happen all the time. Burials, cremations, with attached eulogies, personal speeches. Just keep all the talk secular. It sure beats having a priest who didn't even know you, try to make stuff up along the way.
2007-07-23 16:23:17 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Funeral rites? I haven't seen too many funeral rites performed. I don't like listening to old religious music at funerals. I don't like hearing sermons at funerals. I think a wake would be more appropriate for me. Just stand me up in a corner and act like I'm there. Just kidding :-), but I do want everyone to get drunk. No, wait, most of my family members don't drink....what to do, what to do....
Heck, just put me in a box and throw it in a hole.
2007-07-23 16:23:18 · answer #6 · answered by Soul Shaper 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Why not consider the options you have now for living instead of planning your funeral. Why not make sure you know where you are going when you die? Do you know? Or do you just think you know?
2007-07-23 16:24:28 · answer #7 · answered by dreamdress2 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you have no preference of belief, then what do you care what kind of service you have? You'll be dead. Get cremated, put in a shoe, then pick your favorite place to be planted. When you sigh your last breathe, it's too late to choose which side you're on. Best choose, before the lights go out.
2007-07-23 16:38:15 · answer #8 · answered by talon 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Whatever you want. The way I look at it, the funeral doesn't benefit the deceased. If you have close friends and family who would like to see your body treated a certain way after you die, I think you should leave plans that would have your body treated the way the largest number of them wants.
Personally, I plan to leave my body to scientific research, and my memory to whoever cares to decide how they want me to be remembered.
2007-07-23 16:25:52 · answer #9 · answered by Ozymandius 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Whatever you want.
Literally.
You can have a traditional funeral of almost any type religion, or you can get buried under your favorite tree, if you want. Burial is not dictated by religion. It is specified by the individual, or in the case where wishes are not made known his bennificiary or next of kin.
2007-07-23 16:23:43 · answer #10 · answered by redglory 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋