Talking Of Funerals....

[Tilly2]

Dad and I went to a funeral yesterday. It was a humanist funeral. My Dad couldn't understand why there were no hymns and prayers. He has never experienced that type of funeral before. I think he was a bit disappointed that we didn't have a good old sing song.

He cheered up at the Wake though. Lots of food and drink. In the end, he thought it was a good send off.

Most of the funerals I attend tend to be humanist ones. It must be the type of people I know and like.

[Tilly2]

I've just been looking at the training required to become a humanist celebrant. It looks interesting.

Huummmm?

[gness]

Hi, Tilly...the first humanist funeral I experienced was MrG's. Luckily one of our closest friends had just become a celebrant and he led the service....though I did most of the speaking because I've always had a bit of a bee about what a funeral should be like....

We had music.....mostly Irish and some bits from musicals......folk joined in though the actress friend who jigged to All That Jazz surprised some.... :-)

Being a Humanist Celebrant is lovely and interesting as you say.....and if you are considering it......I know a man who'd advise you......xx

[Tilly2]

Thank you, Gness. I'll read around the subject a little more and then get in touch.

There were poems and songs yesterday but no one sang along. I think dad was expecting Abide with Me and The Lord's My Shepherd, both of which sound awful when mumbled.

[melv16]

I once went to a requiem mass, which was the first time I'd been into a catholic church.
It went on for hours..bells ringing, incense burning and water splashed everywhere. Lots of standing up and sitting down interspersed with some chanting. It was followed up by another long service at the crematorium.
I came to the conclusion that you've got to be fit and have the patience of a saint to be a catholic :-)

[catswhiskas]

My brother in law died ladt December he had a humanist funeral , it was vety good , plsyed all his favourite songs and relatives could tellthir favourite stories about him , it was very good and much more favourable than other churchy type funerals I have been too.Sorry about the typing errors but answerbank is just not playing.

[Cloverjo]

Same as catswhiskas. I went one this year where his favourite songs were played, and his favourite poem read out. It would have been lovely if it hadn't been so sad because he was very young. His friends tried to speak but were overcome.

[mikey4444]

The best funeral that I ever attended was about 6 years ago, for my great Uncle in Devon. His was a woodland burial and the coffin was made of wicker, and very beautiful it was as well. Len was a fiercely independent atheist, and if anybody had even thought of singing a hymn, he would have haunted them for years !

He was a local beekeeper of great renown, and the Ministry Bee Man for many years in the West Country.

The burial site was on the edge of a farm near Tiverton, at the top of a hill, and the views over the rolling farmland were wonderful. We all stood around the grave and some said a few words and someone recited a wonderful poem, which I can't remember the name of, and then we all went to the local Pub for a buffet lunch !

The grave is now almost hidden by the sapling, a cherry tree, that was planted over the actual site of the interment. Grave stones are not allowed at this place, but there is a small plague hanging from the tree trunk.

This funeral knocked all those awful crematorium jobs into a cocked hat.

When it my turn, Its how I would like to go.

[mikey4444]

PS....this is the site where my Great Uncle is buried ::::

http://www.naturaldeath.org.uk/index.php?mact=Products,cntnt01,details,0&cntnt01category=ANBG-members&cntnt01hierarchy=South%20West&cntnt01productid=201&;cntnt01returnid=95

Isn't that beautiful ?

[melv16]

A friend of mine went to a Ukrainian funeral. The congregation had to stand up throughout the service that went on for ages.

[Tilly2]

Mr T is/was a Catholic and so I've attended lots of Requiem Mass funerals of his family members......what a palaver but the ritual does bring comfort to some.

I much prefer the Humanist approach, much more personal. However, I can see that some people don't feel it's fitting unless heaven, God, Jesus and everlasting life are mentioned.