TO ATHEISTS/AGNOSTICS: What kind of funeral....????

Question

....are you planning? Have you notified your family, spouse, significant other or domestic partner of your wishes? Will it be a religious ceremony? Will there be a preist, preacher, pastor? Will they read any scripture?

I ask because I heard Kathy Griffin the comedian say on her Bravo show that even though she didn't believe it gave her comfort to have a traditional religious burial for her own father. And I thought how could she be comforted if she doesn't believe?!?

And then I wonder why it is so hard for an unbeliever to understand how much strength and peace and comfort our faith provides for us EVERY SINGLE DAY, not just when a loved one dies???

Be very interested in your comments.

Answer 1

well, i've been to Christian and Buddhist funerals before, so i'm thinking that my own funeral won't be too different. You know, there'll be family, friends, a coffin, a grave, people to read eulogies. yeah, the usual stuff, but without the pastor/scripture bit.

And to your second paragraph. My mother who is Christian, when she passes away, would 'require' a Christian funeral. So, in giving her a Christian funeral and thus acceding with her last request would give me immense satisfaction and comfort in knowing that she got what she wished for, even though it may conflict with my beliefs.

My uncle died recently, and his funeral was Buddhist, and even though i'm not as devoutly Buddhist as half of my family is, it still gave me comfort in knowing that his family was able to do what they thought was right in memory of him.

And, i do understand that your faith provides you with a lot of strength. I have many Christian friends, and they've all been throught their rough share of life, and they know that without God in their lives that they'd probably be nervous wrecks. And i'm OK with them believing that, if it's what's best for them.

But i get my strength from the belief that i am my own person and that there is no one to lean on but myself. I guess it is a different kind of 'strength' to theirs/yours.

Answer 2

A religious funeral service would not be appropriate. Everyone in my family knows I am not religious. I think a memorial that celebrated my life would be better.

I get that religion makes some of you happy. But for some people, it doesn't offer strength and peace and comfort. Have you read about Mother Teresa's letters, and how depressed and conflicted she felt about her faith?

Answer 3

i'm sixty 3 years previous and that i'm an atheist. I understand that your have been being sarcastic yet if you consider that many Christians are puzzled approximately atheists, i will answer it heavily. I advised my little ones that below no circumstances am I to be stored alive by tubes or respiration equipment, etc. so some distance as i'm in touch i could desire to be buried in a cardboard field in a field. despite the fact that, funerals are for the living and not for the ineffective. i don't desire to place my little ones able of ridicule (by somebody alongside with your self, perchance) by ignoring my death. subsequently they are to bury (or delay my physique) in the main inexpensive least difficult way they could and nevertheless stay delicate. I even have asked that each and each penny that is stored from my funeral be spent on my grandchildren. i could quite my grandson have yet another toy truck than the money be spent on vegetation for my ineffective physique. i don't care in the event that they have a non secular individual there or not. i would be ineffective. in the event that they like one so the Christians heavily isn't offended, then carry one. i don't could desire to make a assertion to Christians and thumb my nostril at them at my death. i'm an atheist and that i don't think in an afterlife, yet there could be a number of in attendance that do and Christians are offended honestly. So my little ones have been recommended to do what they could desire to do, to make it undemanding on them. i like them and don't prefer to do something which will cause them to uncomfortable. that is how one atheist will manage death.

Answer 4

You're being judgmental and myopic in your view of what Griffith said. I'm an atheist. When my grandfather died a month ago we had a traditional service (in a catholic church) and a traditional burial. There is comfort in the family getting together and going though a common, familiar process. I can't speak for Griffith but I imagine that is along the lines of what she meant.

Answer 5

I don't care what happens to my body after I'm dead, all I care about is that people remember me for who I was. I've got a soundtrack for a funeral service if my family want to do that, the list is as follows:
To Live Is To Die - Metallica
Hurt - Johnny Cash
Only The Good Die Young - Iron Maiden
That's it so far, it was longer but Ive forgotten most of them.

Answer 6

It is true that the funeral is to comfort the living. However - i shall have a simple affair with just my close family and friends saying something and having a drink. Then to be taking to the crematorium on the back of a farm cart pulled by shires

Answer 7

So I won't REALLY be planning my funeral, will I?

I'd like my remaining family and friends to remember the good times we had and hopefully praise me for the good things that I have hopefully done.

I am working on the soundtrack for my funeral. It's just a playlist of songs that moved me or had significance throughout my life.

My friends and family know me well and they hopefully make it a joyous affair.

Answer 8

Please! What you are expounding on gave me a breakdown way back when. I just buried my father and it didn't take faith to get through it. If you could step out of your faith just long enough, you could see and understand the "other side of the fence". Otherwise your little mind will just stay blown over our "lack" of faith.
I've been a christian, one of the best actually. haha. Really. But, I woke up. Even the bible says to let the sleeper awaken.
There is life after god. Here I am, and I'm better than ever.

Answer 9

Cremation, no service but a good party after to celebrate.
It should be a happy occasion like it already is in some enlightened societies.
Who needs comfort - get used to real life outside the womb.

Answer 10

Of course I don't want scripture or a faith leader at my funeral. That would be silly. I want to be cremated, ashes spread into water, and whatever non-religious ceremony my family likes. Of course, if someone did say scripture at my funeral, what would I care? I'd be dead! :) :) :) :)