Went to a Catholic Funeral Today

by Captain Schmideo2 24 Replies latest jw friends

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  talesin

  I've been to catholic funerals, many of them, and some are really good. It depends on whether the person was known by the priest or not.

  FayeDunaway, me, too. Also, I think some parishes are more liberal (guitar, singing), and others formal (strictly Mass and soloist). I find the RC service comforting ... the singing, the rituals and answering back to the priest, etc.

  Every RC funeral that I've been to had eulogies. While people go up to take the wafer, it gives everyone a few minutes to reflect on the deceased and / or gather their thoughts if a bit overwhelmed by grief. And the ending - where you turn to the person next to you and say "Peace be with you" and they answer "And with you". It's lovely!

  All in all, I like them, though I am not a Xtian in any way, shape or form. ; )
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  StephaneLaliberte

  I remember being at a JW funeral where the brother at the front knew nothing about the deceased except that he was a member of the congregation. So, he went on and on about the JW teachings and almost nothing about the brother. Then, while the elder was still speaking, the oldest daughter of that deceased stood up and asked to say a few words at the front! While the elder was still trying to figure out the answer, she was already on the stage pushing him over (kindly) and started speaking:

  Your group knew my father as a JW. However, since you rarely saw him outside of this setting, we, his children, would like to elaborate on how exactly he was with his family. And then, she went on about personal stories for a good 20 minutes.
  

  One of the best funerals I have attended, because of her. Otherwise, in terms of the brother who did that talk, he was the worst!
  

  That being said, I can also say that some of the most beautify funerals I have seen were also JWs. In the end, I believe it all has to do with the brother/preacher/priest giving the talk and the personal involvement he had with the deceased.
  
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  FayeDunaway

  Ecan 6, I've never been to a 'beautiful' witness funeral, they are all as superficial. I am really surprised you have.

  but I'm especially surprised they didn't escort out that daughter who got up to speak AT THE PODIUM!!!! MY GOD, ISNT THAT SACRILIGIOUS???! Lol....I'm cant believe any woman got away with that !!! Even us little girls after the meeting, when we were playing a bit on the stage, when we walked up to the podium to see what it was like, we were always told to get away.
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  GLTirebiter

  GrreatTeacher, 3 hours is too long for guys like me with "senior prostates" (luckily, our pastor is in the same boat, and he can't sneak out to the restroom!) They must have done all eight readings and had a loooong sermon to reach three hours. But it's still no all-weekend assembly, and it is optional.
  
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  OnTheWayOut

  Why the "sing-song" voice during the prayers?

  I think the real reason is because white people are too uptight to really let loose in church.
  At a Catholic funeral, what freaks me out is that my non-practicing relatives still know when to say "Lord, hear my prayer" whenever it's supposed to be said.