non religious funerals

purple'n'gold

I have noticed on Boards, that a huge amount of posters are anti religion and anti clerical. And they seem to want to give the impression that Ireland is now a very secular country with Christianity just about hanging on. Why is it then that virtually every funeral, (deceased of all ages) takes place in a church? Is Ireland as anti Christian as some would like us to believe? I know of very few secular funerals in my part of Ireland anyway.

aidan_walsh

Tradition?

Blisterman

Probably because a much higher percentage of older people are religious than younger people, and it is mainly older people who died.

Also, where else are you going to have a funeral?
TGI fridays?

MagicMarker

Only old people die, and they're the religious ones...

When i die, i want to be made into a coffee table.

Lands Leaving

I want a funeral like Hunter S Thompsons.

Thats how to bow out in style

xzanti

Blisterman wrote: »

Probably because a much higher percentage of older people are religious than younger people, and it is mainly older people who died.

Also, where else are you going to have a funeral?
TGI fridays?

purple'n'gold

aidan_walsh wrote: »

Tradition?

Maybe, but if they are as anti religious as they make out, they wouldn’t want a church funeral. I knew one old man personally that expressly forbid his relations from having any religious trapping at his funeral.

purple'n'gold

MagicMarker wrote: »

Only old people die, and they're the religious ones...

When i die, i want to be made into a coffee table.

Only old people die?

cornbb

I want to be mummified or better still fossilised when I die.

Anyway as the older generations die out I'm sure there will be more secular options in the future. The Catholic Church still has a near-monopoly on running the important milestones of our lives at the moment (birth, marriage and death) but I'm sure its slowly but surely decreasing.

the majority of the young generation, including myself seem to be anti-clerical. but i respect people's clerical beliefs and church burials.

purple'n'gold

cornbb wrote: »

I want to be mummified or better still fossilised when I die.

Anyway as the older generations die out I'm sure there will be more secular options in the future. The Catholic Church still has a near-monopoly on running the important milestones of our lives at the moment (birth, marriage and death) but I'm sure its slowly but surely decreasing.

I don’t think that is the case, I notice families with tenuous at best, links to cat holism are all over the church like a rash when someone belong to them dies,

WindSock

Even if young athiests die, it's the family that organises the funeral.

I went to a lovely Funeral overseas. They guy was about 50 something and was in a band. There was an open cask party in his house, the cask was inexpensive wood, there were photos of his life spread about the place and all of his homemade beer for us to drink. Everyone that knew him got said a small piece about him, then his fellow band mates played some tunes. It was beautiful, touching and so much more personal than a Mass said by a priest that has never met the deceased.

leninbenjamin

i've asked for a non religion funeral for whenever i kick the bucket but was politely told to f*ck off. anyway as long as there is a wake where everyone get's pissed i'll be happy.

purple'n'gold

WindSock wrote: »

Even if young athiests die, it's the family that organises the funeral.

I went to a lovely Funeral overseas. They guy was about 50 something and was in a band. There was an open cask party in his house, the cask was inexpensive wood, there were photos of his life spread about the place and all of his homemade beer for us to drink. Everyone that knew him got said a small piece about him, then his fellow band mates played some tunes. It was beautiful, touching and so much more personal than a Church said by a priest that has never met the deceased.

But if a young atheist dies, and he is a genuine atheist, surely his family should respect his life and not have a clergy man near his funeral?

david1two3

Lands Leaving wrote: »

I want a funeral like Hunter S Thompsons.

Thats how to bow out in style

I dont actually believe he wanted the funeral, it was forced upon him at the last minute.

biko

I wanna go out like Bernie in "Weekend at Bernie's"
That way I can go to my own wake

WindSock

purplengold wrote: »

But if a young atheist dies, and he is a genuine atheist, surely his family should respect his life and not have a clergy man near his funeral?

Funerals are for the living.

Dave!

1) most people who die are old, and older people are more likely to be religious
2) I'm not sure that too many young people actually specify where they want their funeral to take place I know I've never had that conversation with my family. If I died tomorrow, they would most likely have the funeral in a church, because it would ultimately be up to the parents really.
3) I'm sure there's alot of ignorance about alternative funerals/locations. I certainly can't think of anywhere off the top of my head. If I bothered to research, I'd probably discover a few.
4) In times of grief and suffering, religious belief is often accentuated. The phrase "there are no atheists in foxholes" comes to mind. If a loved one dies, it might awaken religious beliefs in you that you didn't realise you had.
5) It's tradition. Most atheists (certainly the ones I know) celebrate Christmas, mainly because it's tradition. I even go to church on Christmas day! But then I'm not particularly anti-clerical, I just think it's all bullsh*t.

Can't think of anything else to say....

purplengold wrote: »

But if a young atheist dies, and he is a genuine atheist, surely his family should respect his life and not have a clergy man near his funeral?

I'm sure "better safe than sorry" is going through their (the family's) heads. It's irrelevent what the deceased believed or did not believe. It doesn't matter how "genuine" an atheist they are, cos it's the family that sorts it out.

purple'n'gold

WindSock wrote: »

Funerals are for the living.

Yes, but they are primarily a mark of respect for the deceased and the life he led.

david1two3

At my funeral I want them to play

















Poker

watna

I'm coming back as a zombie anyway, so it doesn't bother me!

david1two3

watna wrote: »

I'm coming back as a zombie anyway, so it doesn't bother me!

a repeat performance?

L1011

Blisterman wrote: »

Probably because a much higher percentage of older people are religious than younger people, and it is mainly older people who died.

Also, where else are you going to have a funeral?
TGI fridays?

I want mine in Kelly's in Portrush, preferably with Ferry Corsten as musical accompaniment.

thelordofcheese

purplengold wrote: »

I have noticed on Boards, that a huge amount of posters are anti religion and anti clerical. And they seem to want to give the impression that Ireland is now a very secular country with Christianity just about hanging on. Why is it then that virtually every funeral, (deceased of all ages) takes place in a church? Is Ireland as anti Christian as some would like us to believe? I know of very few secular funerals in my part of Ireland anyway.

it's because we're still alive.

marcsignal

maybe athiests have a chance of heart, when they're about to meet their maker

finlma

Most atheists don't give 2 sh1ts what happens to them when they die. Turn me into a golf club for all I care. It's either that or be eaten by the worms.

Don't fancy the big party in the clouds with a big bearded guy and loads of other dead people - I'd prefer the golf club option.

marcsignal

finlma wrote: »

Don't fancy the big party in the clouds with a big bearded guy and loads of other dead people - I'd prefer the golf club option.

imagine being told "regulars only" or "sorry, you're too casually dressed" when you got there

Pherekydes

MagicMarker wrote: »

Only old people die, and they're the religious ones...

Bizarre, man. Just bizarre...

MagicMarker wrote: »

When i die, i want to be made into a coffee table.

Sh!t, my wife wanted to do that with her da. And she's saying the same about me. :eek: If I find out I'm terminal I'll have no choice but to terminate her with extreme prejudice. Where do people get these kooky ideas?

If you're not religious and you don't want a church funeral then ring up the council and tell there's an extra trash bag with a bin tag attached outside your house and can they take it away and dump it, pretty please.

Zzippy

I think when I'm dead I won't really give a toss what kind of funeral I have. Would be nice to have the wake before I die though

daveharnett

purplengold wrote: »

But if a young atheist dies, and he is a genuine atheist, surely his family should respect his life and not have a clergy man near his funeral?

A selfish attitude imo. I'd go for a non-religious funeral assuming I outlive my mam. If not, why would i deny her any comfort she could have? After all, it would make no difference to me, I'd be dead!

Dave!

daveharnett wrote: »

A selfish attitude imo. I'd go for a non-religious funeral assuming I outlive my mam. If not, why would i deny her any comfort she could have? After all, it would make no difference to me, I'd be dead!

Good point actually. Never thought of that.

johnp

I went to a non-religious funeral about a year ago. For a funeral it was fantastic. They just talked about their dad, told some jokes, recited his fav poems, played his fav music etc etc etc.
That's what I want when I go............ although maybe with some pole dancers.

Defo don't want some priest I don't even know talking about me.

WindSock

purplengold wrote: »

Yes, but they are primarily a mark of respect for the deceased and the life he led.

And that life that they had is being celebrated/mourned by those that were aound them throughout their lives. surely the deceased Athiest wouldn't mind which way they held the funeral if it gave solace to the family and friends to have a religious one...

finlma wrote: »

Most atheists don't give 2 sh1ts what happens to them when they die.

Exactly, don't they believe that once you die thats it, so it shouldn't really matter what happens after they die?

il gatto

I don't think the country as a whole is either anti-clericle or anti-religion. Only a smallish minority are really atheist or even agnostic. People may not be model members of their faith (whatever it is), but not that many really want to relinquish it either. Young people don't see it as being all that important to them. Might look into it later sort of thing. Like classical music, or the Sunday Times.:)

Dave!

WindSock wrote: »

Exactly, don't they believe that once you die thats it, so it shouldn't really matter what happens after they die?

Yeah but everyone still wants to be remembered in a particular way. If you're vehemently anti-clerical, and spend your life opposing the church, then a church funeral would undermine your life really, and probably (the deceased would feel) make people lose some respect for you.

I like davehartnett's point, but still there's plenty of good reasons why it does in fact matter what kind of funeral you have.

WindSock

DaveMcG wrote: »

Yeah but everyone still wants to be remembered in a particular way. If you're vehemently anti-clerical, and spend your life opposing the church, then a church funeral would undermine your life really, and probably (the deceased would feel) make people lose some respect for you.

I like davehartnett's point, but still there's plenty of good reasons why it does in fact matter what kind of funeral you have.

Well I doubt a family would do that if the deceased fought tooth and nail throughout their lives against the church to be ironically buried by a Priest. If they were simply a person who calls themselves athiest and was inactive on all matters of religion, I don't think it would be so bad for the family to have a religious service when they are put in the ground.
Besides they may need a proper send off for when God appears in the light to tell them they were wrong

WexCan

daveharnett wrote: »

A selfish attitude imo. I'd go for a non-religious funeral assuming I outlive my mam. If not, why would i deny her any comfort she could have? After all, it would make no difference to me, I'd be dead!

Very good point, if I go before my parents they can do what they want - if it'll comfort them I'm all for it.

Wacker

As an atheist, the only requirment I have for my funeral is that someone tell the oriest to shut up once he starts going on about how 'death is not an end'. He can say prayers over me and splash me with holy water or whatever and I wouldn't really care, but the idea of him trying to comfort friends and family by saying that I still exist somewhere else just makes me sick. Death is an end, and only through this are humans really free to live their lives as they please.

Also, I don't want an expensive coffin. Money wasted.

boneless

WindSock wrote: »

Funerals are for the living.

A very true statement. Throughout the ages it has been those who are left behind who dictated the "ceremonies" relating to the recent departed. I suppose this ritualisation of death led to religion. The dead do not bury the dead...

I am a devout atheist. My remains are going to science. No two ways about it. I have a religious sister who threatened to give me a church funeral. I told her in no uncertain terms that my will is clear on the matter and she has therefore no legal, or moral, right to interfere with my wishes.

bleg

i'm getting burned so that my atoms can be recycled very quickly

Nightwish

I'm going to live forever. In the event that that wont happen, I'll have a musical tribute to my life in lieu of a religious ceremony seeing as I'm an atheist.

RonMexico

Lands Leaving wrote: »

I want a funeral like Hunter S Thompsons.

Thats how to bow out in style

That was the greatest send off ever! There is a documentary about it called When I Die by Wayne Ewing (www.hunterthompsonfilms.com)

Here is a clip of the blast off, the fist monument was taller than the statue of liberty:D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBWgwyaYd7s

Wacker

bleg wrote: »

i'm getting burned so that my atoms can be recycled very quickly

I've heard once that the chemicals needed to cremate a corpse are very bad for the environment. I have no idea whatsoever if this is true though.

Flukey

purplengold wrote: »

I have noticed on Boards, that a huge amount of posters are anti religion and anti clerical. And they seem to want to give the impression that Ireland is now a very secular country with Christianity just about hanging on. Why is it then that virtually every funeral, (deceased of all ages) takes place in a church? Is Ireland as anti Christian as some would like us to believe? I know of very few secular funerals in my part of Ireland anyway.

It is also amusing that people spend the whole year bashing Christianity, but seem very happy to go to Christmas parties, accept a Christmas bonus, have their days off at Christmas, receive Christmas presents etc., as well the same at Easter. If they really didn't believe in Christianity, then they wouldn't do any of that on principle, in the same way they refuse to go to any Christian services on principle because, as they would tell you... "I don't believe in any of that rubbish". They can say it is just Catholicism they don't believe in or the church itself, but they can't slip out of it that way. If they don't accept "any" part of Catholicism/Christianity, then they can't make exceptions for Christmas and all that goes with it, along with Easter, or parties for First Communions, Baptisms and Confirmations etc. Anyway, Happy Christmas to everyone.

finlma

Flukey wrote: »

If they really didn't believe in Christianity, then they wouldn't do any of that on principle, in the same way they refuse to go to any Christian services on principle because, as they would tell you... "I don't believe in any of that rubbish".

Yawn - and do you yourself ignore Halloween like all good Christians do since it is a pagan festival. Didn't think so.
I'm a massive celebrater of Christmas and I'm a big fat atheist - it's more a time for family, friends, pints, Santa, craic than a time for Jebus and the Santa for grown-ups, namely God.

ScumLord

Flukey wrote: »

It is also amusing that people spend the whole year bashing Christianity, but seem very happy to go to Christmas parties, accept a Christmas bonus, have their days off at Christmas, receive Christmas presents etc.,

Christmas is Satan's holiday now, wall street bought him out. God lives in a dustbin down the road from me now.


I'd like to be burned in a field, graveyards are taking up to much space.

Wacker wrote:

I've heard once that the chemicals needed to cremate a corpse are very bad for the environment.

Why would they need chemicals? Just get the temperature up and anything will burn to nothing.

Flukey

I'm a massive celebrater of Christmas and I'm a big fat atheist

So what is it you are celebrating? You are basically saying that you celebrate something that you don't believe in. You can't have it both ways, which was my basic point. For the record, I did not celebrate Halloween this year. I was in transit at the time, but that's another story.

bushy...

It was probably originally a pagan festival anyway

finlma

Flukey wrote: »

So what is it you are celebrating? You are basically saying that you celebrate something that you don't believe in. You can't have it both ways, which was my basic point. For the record, I did not celebrate Halloween this year. I was in transit at the time, but that's another story.

I'm celebrating having great friends and family and the general joys of life. I don't need to think about the baby Jebus - not that many Christians do either. They worship the money and present God above all else.

So, if you weren't in transit I'm sure you might have partaken in some Halloween festivities, maybe even a fancy dress party. If so how very hypocritical of you - you can't have it both ways, which was my basic point. Your God might smite you.

ejmaztec

I'm donating my corpse to McDonalds for culinary research, like most other people have done in the past.

Flukey

ejmaztec wrote: »

I'm donating my corpse to McDonalds for culinary research, like most other people have done in the past.

They'll only be interested if you are made of cardboard. McDonald's - The biggest restaurant chain in the world that doesn't sell food.

finlma wrote:

I'm celebrating having great friends and family and the general joys of life.

Well why not do that on January 19th or May 30th or July 16th or November 23rd or whenever, instead of December 25th, if it makes no difference to you?