I am going to a funeral on Wednesday.....

[trt]

Its at a crematorium and a non religious service, what is the difference between this and a religious one?

[andy-hughes]

Docspok - the whole point of a funeral service (a religious one that is) is that the deceased is now going to God, and God will be there to greet them and take them into heaven.

This is the result of a lifetime of belief - from baptism onwards - and it is the culmination of life's journey, God's love and saving grace finally comes to claim the soul of the decesed, so the whole funeral is about realising that for the mourners - and appreciation of such a momentous event.

No wonder there is plenty of reference to God - that is what it is all about.

[ummmm]

But Doc...it wasn't your funeral.

[andy-hughes]

No need to apologise to me doc, I am an aetheist, I simply put forward the concept behind your point - that God was mentioned a lot.

I understand it - but I don't believe it.

[Sqad]

andy....I do understand where are coming from, but I would be interested to know how many people who have a religious funeral, really believe that they are going to be met by God.

I am an Atheist, but will have a religious funeral, because....what else is there?
For the first time in my life....today...on AB....there is such a thing as a "non religious funeral"
The Atheist gets little choice which makes a mockery of a religious funeral and all that religious beliefs are bestowed.

[andy-hughes]

As i said to doc sqad - it's not where I personally am coming from - I simply answered his point of view.

[Sqad]

andy...yes.....I was writing my reply before I saw your reply posted.

[andy-hughes]

I am happy to have a relgious servide for the benefit of my wife, in-laws, and children, who are all Catholic.

For the same reason, we married in church and had a full Nuptual Mass with two priests con-ceclebrating - sometimes it's nice to please others. Because I am not a believer does not make me a rabid anti-believer - i am happy to go to Mass every Sunday with my wife because she gets a lot out of it.

[Marijn]

You can have a lovely humanist funeral same as you can have a lovely religious one. The family decide with the humanist "minister", how long they want it to be, or whether they want it upbeat or calm and peaceful. It can be just how you want it to be, it's just that they don't talk about God that's all.

[murraymints]

best one I went to was a cousin who was a singer/performer/comic..all his friends took over and it was quite literally tear jerking..from laughter..as he would have wanted

[Sqad]

murray....let me get this clear in my own mind.

There was a coffin containing a dead person, a wife, a son, a daughter or a parent.
The close relative may or may not have been grieving BUT:

<<<a cousin who was a singer/performer/comic..all his friends took over and it was quite literally tear jerking..from laughter..as he would have wanted<<<

Takes all sorts I suppose.