Dads Funeral

Keep_pedalling

I would not worry about it, I also am an atheist and although my will does state what I would like to happen to my remains, if my executors do something different that is fine, Leaving instructions for me simply makes life simpler for them.

My wife is a practicing Christian, and if adding a Christian element to my funeral gives her some comfort then that's OK by me, maybe it is the same for your brother

missbiggles1

Keep_pedalling wrote: »

I would not worry about it, I also am an atheist and although my will does state what I would like to happen to my remains, if my executors do something different that is fine, Leaving instructions for me simply makes life simpler for them.

My wife is a practicing Christian, and if adding a Christian element to my funeral gives her some comfort then that's OK by me, maybe it is the same for your brother

I think that's a very fair comment - the needs of the bereaved family can be as important as the wishes of the deceased.

peachyprice

PasturesNew wrote: »

At least he wasn't super-strong in one set of beliefs and buried entirely "the wrong way" and "in the wrong church/ground".

Isn't that exactly what has happened though? Surely his 'set of beliefs' are no less important than any other persons just because they are non-religious.

Keep_pedalling

peachyprice wrote: »

Isn't that exactly what has happened though? Surely his 'set of beliefs' are no less important than any other persons just because they are non-religious.

Atheism is not actually a belief system. It has no rituals and what happens to our bodies after death is not important.

onlyroz

Keep_pedalling wrote: »

My wife is a practicing Christian, and if adding a Christian element to my funeral gives her some comfort then that's OK by me, maybe it is the same for your brother

When my Grandma died my mum performed a secular ceremony herself. She did let a preacher friend say a few prayers though, because she knew that certain family members would be upset if there was absolutely no religious element at all.

As others have said, funerals are more for the living than for the deceased.

onlyroz

Keep_pedalling wrote: »

Atheism is not actually a belief system. It has no rituals and what happens to our bodies after death is not important.

I think most atheists want to see the bodies of their deceased relatives respected, and would want to hold some sort of ceremony to reflect on their life.

Keep_pedalling

onlyroz wrote: »

I think most atheists want to see the bodies of their deceased relatives respected, and would want to hold some sort of ceremony to reflect on their life.

Every funeral I have been to, religious or secular, has been a celebration of of the deceased persons life, the only difference has been the addition of some form of religious ritual, and certainly no difference in the level of respect given to the body.

As an atheist none of the rituals are required, but as I will no longer exist, if someone decides to add those I'd hardly matters to me.

peachyprice

Keep_pedalling wrote: »

Atheism is not actually a belief system. It has no rituals and what happens to our bodies after death is not important.

Of course it is (unless you're talking to people of religion).

BarryBlue

onlyroz wrote: »

I think most atheists want to see the bodies of their deceased relatives respected, and would want to hold some sort of ceremony to reflect on their life.

Absolutely right. When my wife's father died earlier this year we had a Humanist funeral. Some relatives who attendee were religious and were probably surprised that there was absolutely no religious content whatsoever. However, even they had to agree that it was a very appropriate ceremony and the Humanist celebrant was far more eloquent than any vicar anyone had encountered and delivered a thoroughly well-researched tribute. Most importantly, FIL did not have to 'share' his funeral with anyone else.

I would recommend that anyone who has no belief in religion explores the possibility of a Humanist funeral rather than just accepting that a religious funeral just happens by default. Which, in effect, it does if you let it.

Keep_pedalling wrote: »

As an atheist none of the rituals are required, but as I will no longer exist, if someone decides to add those I'd hardly matters to me.

What would bug me is the idea that, after I die, some church would get its claws on any of my estate in funeral fees!;)

Torry_Quine

I have been to a humanist funeral but was surprised that the celebrant used the well known words from Ecclesiastes.