What should I choose as a reading for my Grandfathers funeral?

Question

I am a Confirmed Catholic however I consider myself to be an Atheist. Having said that today is my Grandfathers funeral and I was very close to him and I would like to do one of the readings at his funeral mass. I have yet to speak with the Priest but through my own research I have decided on Ecclesiastes 3:1-8. Anyone have any other suggestions? Also is appropriate to say a few words after reading as i do not wish to offend the Priest by asking for a minute?

Answer 1

I am so sorry about your grandfather. Iost my nana and papa a few years ago and we were very close as well. It hurts very deep to this day. Bless you.

If I were you I would go to verse 14. That is an excellent passage to read. Bless your heart for doing that for your grandfather. You sound like a very loving, kind, gentle person. I applaud you for being an atheist but putting that aside for your grandfather today. "clap clap clap clap"

I think - by all means - you should say a few words (even if the priest says no) That would be a lovely thing to do.

I have a lot of respect for you right now and am proud of you for being a real man and not a wimpy one sided atheist.

Answer 2

Funeral Readings For Grandfather

Answer 3

You will not offend the priest. It's your grandfather's funeral. I spoke at my father's funeral and said some very un-Catholic things and nobody batted an eye and the priest was a Jesuit.

If the bible quote you mention reflects your thoughts, by all means use it. But, I would be more inclined to just say what you mean to say - assuming you aren't planning to attack the church or someone personally.

What I said at my father's funeral was that my dad was mostly unhappy in spite of all the things he had going for him - loving and loyal wife, financial success, independent, law-abiding children. He was only happy when he was being generous to others. We should learn a lesson from both his sadness and his happiness.

Answer 4

I like deadcat's answer because what he says shows the real meaning of life. We may not always know it but we are happiest in life when we help others in need. we get a warm feeling that makes us feel good about ourselves, not self righteous just good because we know we did the right thing. we touch many lives we don't even know by our actions every day, because every time you smile at a nervous new clerk at the check out and show her that its ok you are not in a hurry or judging her skills, that you even can tell her we have all been there, starting our first job and so on. It is the way we treat people that matters not how many times you went to church to please the priest instead of God or what would the neighbors say if we weren't at church every Sunday. God know those who goes to church for Him and those who go for appearance's sake and would rather be somewhere else.

So it is ok at a funeral to talk about your father's life and if that scripture helps you to explain what your father was to you then use it. I am sorry to hear of your loss, I pray that God will grant you the time for reflection and the strength required when grieving. Peace be with you.

Answer 5

At a funeral Mass, you'll usually have three readings to pick - an Old Testament one (you've done that), a psalm, and a gospel reading.

You've picked an excellent one for the first. My suggestion for the psalm - psalm 23. And for the gospel, if that's open to you, I'd suggest John-14:1-4.

Answer 6

It is in part determined by several factors. Location, weather, season and duration must all be figured in. For example, a funeral lasting more than one hour in Texas in July will not see very many wearing black or dark colored clothing at all since that puts you at increased risk of heat stroke. They wear more neutral colors there during that time of year. Basically, wear what is comfortable for you in the type of weather that you are having. If that means you wear a bright yellow sundress then that is what you wear. After all, it is not the clothes that mourn the passing of the man, it is you and you can mourn him just as well in a brightly colored suit as you can in black. The days of colors being dictated by the event are fast becoming a thing of the past.

Answer 7

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am in a thousand winds that blow,
I am the softly falling snow.
I am the gentle showers of rain,
I am the fields of ripening grain.
I am in the morning hush,
I am in the graceful rush
Of beautiful birds in circling flight,
I am the starshine of the night.
I am in the flowers that bloom,
I am in a quiet room.
I am in the birds that sing,
I am in each lovely thing.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there. I do not die.

There is no law that states you must do a reading from the Bible. I find this poem very touching and have given it to people of all faiths after they have lost a loved one. They all seemed comforted by it. However, I believe that you have also chosen one of the most beautiful parts of the Bible to read.
I am sorry for your loss.

Answer 8

One great poem is Steve Earle's "Warrior", especially if your grandfather was a veteran.

At my own father's memorial in 2005, the pastor invited me to the pulpit and I merely talked about what a good all-around man my father was and how he quietly touched many lives by helping and setting an example of sacrifice with humility.

Answer 9

Be honest with your beliefs instead of seeking ways to lie on here would be a great help.

"My Grandfather died, he was a loving kind man, who believed in God. However, I do not- I do not believe in God, and what I'm doing now is paying homage to the dead corpse of the man I once loved. I believe he never had a spirit, I believe that he's gone forever, and we're all just wasting time feeling sorry for ourselfs since we miss him. When we die, we're dead and gone- we no longer exist- so think about your own mortality since we're seeing his corpse"

Now that would be an honest eulogy

Answer 10

I am sorry for your loss.

It is your grandfather's funeral, you can say anything you want. You should read something that has to do with the kind of person he is. Maybe a poem or bible reading that he liked.