This is usually from non religous people that do not even believe in any form of afterlife This is illogical right? so doesn't this imply that the person would otherwise be in some kind of torment had it not been for these "Kind respectful" words?
If this is meant to be a "mark of respect then wouldn't making up a word or phrase that is better suited a better option?
What if the relatives or friends believe in afterlife punishment, wouldn't this phrase then be disrespectful to them?
i always wish them to rest in peace. Im not religious but doesnt mean i dont think they have a spirit that is then at peace when they are laid to rest.
Well i suppose if you were an evil person then that would be a fitting phrase trimesereserus but usually they mean "Rest in piece" which to be fair is an illogical ill conceived phrase.
Same as 4getmenot. It's my way of saying that whatever troubles and pains they have suffered, I hope that now they're gone they don't have to suffer any more.
If I'm wrong and there does turn out to be a heaven and hell, then I really hoep they send me to the latter, because that's where most of my friends will be and to be honest, it looks a lot more fun!
Jackthehat no they obviously don't mean the physical body because once the soul has departed its mortal shell then the body is just that, an empty shell that feels nothing.
They obviously mean the soul or spirit as you said because this is the oine that then goes ont be judged and punished or rewarded.
Surely there is no requirement to have belief in the after-world to realise that death may bring peace from mortal torments and problems.
Even if death is just one big off switch and that's the end of it all then there is still peace (in fact arguably more so than if there was an afterlife)