Good Heavens

[Maha]

Today I had my first ever experience of a Catholic Funeral.
I came away thinking '' what the hell was that''?
Ok, it was a Reqiem Mass (another first) but from where I stood/sat/stood/sat/stood/sat/stood (and that was just first half) it all seemed directed at the Big Two or Three upstairs.
Not alot said about the deceased, well family members 3-4 got up and spoke but on the whole it was all the Religion and on death itself. Throw in a couple of staple hyms and there you have it.
Very very odd experience for me...
Even the words 'thy' was changed to 'your'....ie: thy kingdom becomes....your kingdom.
And whats with the term ''eat my body and drink my blood'' from the Priest?
Come on fulla, there were kids there.

Amen.

[admenk]

It all depends what you're used to I suppose. Yes, some of the language and terminology can seem a bit strange, and I've been going to church services of one kind or another most of my life. Not a Catholic myself, but I guess the deceased was, so it would have complied with their beliefs and wishes. I've also been to some "secular" funerals that have been totally strange, but at the end of the day, I suppose you're attending out of respect for the deceased and their family. It's probably a good job we're all different or the world would be a boring place. The main thing is that you went.

[rustyrobot]

Heh. I had a similar experience a couple of years back. Felt like the funeral was more of an advert for the church than a celebration of the life of the deceased. My cousin got married a little while back and that was the same deal. Talked far more about Jesus than they did about the people getting married. Each to their own I suppose.

Is it too morbid to ask what your ideal service would be Maha?

[avgas]

Have to admit that the church has come forward a large bit.
For a start people are no longer burned at the stake.

[avgas]

Talked far more about Jesus than they did about the people getting married. Each to their own I suppose.

I got married at the registry office. Pissed my highly Christian family off.
Ended it all with good Japanese food and moonlight ride with the new wife.
Was a good day.

[Duke girl]

I also went to a Catholic Funeral the other day and l felt the same way you did, Not much said about the deceased and their life.
I guess it comes down to how the family wanted the service done.

[Banditbandit]

Yeah mate. It's all magic ... clearing the way for whatever happens next ...

Not my scene at all ...

[slofox]

For a start people are no longer burned at the stake.

Nah. These days they're burned in big ovens....actually, now I think about it, that's not that new either...

[george formby]

Interestin Maha. I'm fairly anti religion because I feel overall it still doe's more harm than good. Catholicism being a point in case.
On the other hand I attended a funeral a year or so back for a very well liked member of the community who died in a tragic accident. The service was held at the local run what you brung church & was very moving & respectful to the deceased, the main focus of the service rather than ritual. I left with a far greater understanding of the comfort which the church can give to people in life.
The day's real sadness was caused by strong, intractable cultural differences from one side of the deceased's family which made a mockery of the sincere farewell.
Each to their own & a demonstration that regardless of a persons beliefs this life is held in far greater esteem than the next despite what the church teaches.

Sorry to hear you have had such a sad morning.

[Blackshear]

Only been to a church twice.
Once when I was 7, for my cousins baptism, and the other time I was 10, picking up a cake for the neighbour.

Their practice scares me.

[EJK]

Church ain't so bad

[nodrog:Me]

Is that the funerals where the pope looking guy packs an expensive looking Bong thing, lights it, and waves it around smoking everybody out?

Fanny

[george formby]

Is that the funerals where the pope looking guy packs an expensive looking Bong thing, lights it, and waves it around smoking everybody out?

Fanny

Bong on a rope type thing?

[Mom]

My mother was a high Anglican and spent a good deal of her life in and around the church and its rituals and rites. She gained an enormous amount of comfort and support from it. At her funeral the other week we honoured her by holding a classic prayer book funeral service for her, complete with bible readings and hymns. None of us that are left are Christians, but we gave her what she would have wanted. It was a beautiful service and very fitting for her. However, we also ignored her explicit instructions to have "no speechifying" so she got some I am a big believer in funerals being for the ones left behind to honour and celebrate the loss of a loved one from your lives. Moms service was all about her family and her.

Today I farewelled my stepfathers sister. She lives up here close to me so I have seen her quite a bit over the years. The last time I spoke with her was to tell her of my Moms passing so it was especially sad when she got suddenly sick and passed away this week.

I was very worried about attending her funeral as I am a bit fragile at the moment, but strangely I found it ok as it was all about tradition and not too much about emotions. I think your first experience of a Catholic Requiem Mass is always going to be a bit strange.

[Mom]

Is that the funerals where the pope looking guy packs an expensive looking Bong thing, lights it, and waves it around smoking everybody out?

Fanny

Yes, and splashes a bit of water about the place too.