JW over-rode our Choice of Funeral music

snugglebunny

A few years on and the funeral of my JW momma still galls me. She left instructions for which Kingdom songs to be sung and we gladly abided by her wishes. The funeral was held in a public crematorium, not a Kingdom Hall. There were about 80 people in attendance, split roughly 50 - 50 between JW's and her family. The funeral directors asked what music we'd like played over the sound system as we exited the crematorium. I selected Rachmaninov's rhapsody on a theme of Paganini and even supplied the CD. The JW taking the funeral service over-rode our choice and played a kingdom melody instead.

Bastard!

For you, momma:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKZbvluHcNo

Simon

Beautiful choice of music. They have no right to push their crappy tunes on such a personal occassion, even if you wanted "Sympathy for the Devil", it's your family and your choice. They should make any limitations clear upfront.

ttdtt

See proof that JWs don't have rules like the Pharisees.

And that loving principles are what is used by elders to shepherd the sheep.

And that LOVE is what guides all their lives.

freddo

I know they brought in a rule some years back that Kingdom Mal-adies only are allowed at the KH but in the UK at the crematorium there is no reason at all why other dignified music couldn't be played.

Having said that, most dubbies have K/M's but on occasion I have heard other stuff.

contramundum

Perfect choice - this is one of my all time favourite pieces of music. I definitely want Rachmaninoff played at my funeral

under the radar

Where does the "preacher" get off overriding the family's wishes? I wonder if there other JW family members who sided with the "preacher." Still presumptuous to do so, regardless.

snugglebunny

I know they brought in a rule some years back that Kingdom Mal-adies only are allowed at the KH but in the UK at the crematorium there is no reason at all why other dignified music couldn't be played.

Is that right? Wow.

LoisLane looking for Superman

SnuggleBunny,

That is such a beautiful song you chose for you and your Mom's parting exit. Uplifting, joyous, yet melancholy and yearning. Full of love and heart.

Perfect.

Thank you for sharing your song choice with us. My heart is full with mixed emotion thinking of that day when the Jdub speaker had his way. Truly shameful of him. Just an unthinking, unfeeling, JW..org, zombie drone.

My condolences to you and yours.

Hugs.

LoisLane

joe134cd

Can you please explain to me how the elder was able to over ride your wishes with the funeral chapel directors. Didn't they consult you that the elder had changed the family wishes. Or did the elder simply say "play the song and I'm not giving the service". I personally know of a JW couple who wanted to get married at the beach but opted for the KH instead because an elder just point blank refused to take the service outside of a KH.

snugglebunny

Can you please explain to me how the elder was able to over ride your wishes with the funeral chapel directors. Didn't they consult you that the elder had changed the family wishes. Or did the elder simply say "play the song and I'm not giving the service". I personally know of a JW couple who wanted to get married at the beach but opted for the KH instead because an elder just point blank refused to take the service outside of a KH.

The funeral directors who supplied the coffin and hearse etc. (not the crematorium staff, you don't get to see them at all) asked if we'd like any specific music played as everyone filed out. We supplied the CD to the funeral directors. Momma had requested the singing of Keep your eyes on the prize during the funeral service. The elder in charge replayed Keep your eyes on the prize instead of selecting the Rachmaninov CD. I believe the crematorium rostrum had a set of of buttons from which the desired melody could be selected. As myself and some others attending were disfellowshipped, none of the witnesses present at the funeral spoke with us about the matter. There was nothing I could do about it once the service was over anyway. So as momma's executors, we just sent the local KH the money that she'd willed to them. We didn't get an acknowledgement.

JW over-rode our Choice of Funeral music

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