Good Heavens

[nodrog:Me]

Bong on a rope type thing?

Thats the one.

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

Yep I to have been to one of those funerals then, it was quite interesting alright.

Fanny

[Maha]

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?

Ideal service?
At a non relation service, to come away feeling I have just got to know the deceased a little better. That has happened.
Im sure they did the deceased proud today and that the funeral was just how she would have wanted it (which is what its all about) ..I was there for my wife, I did not know the deceased.

[Big Dave]

Next time wear only a condom and they won't want to know you.

[admenk]

Next time wear only a condom and they won't want to know you.

That certainly would make for an interesting funeral..A bit different to the traditional black tie I suppose.

[Edbear]

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.

I agree, the deceased isn't going to be affected anymore but the grief of family and friends needs to be acknowledged and expressed. The funerals I've been to have generally been an occaision of reviewing the highlights of the life of the deceased and I've come away being reminded, educated and comforted.

I have attended one, though, where I couldn't for the life of me understand how the bereaved could have been comforted and I was angry with the minister's glib platitudes and, to be perfectly honest, the bollocks of what he said. Can't say anything though of course out of respect for the family so naturally kept my thoughts to myself.

[pzkpfw]

Used to have a catholic girlfriend.

Went to her church once, was the only time I saw her kneeling.

[Pussy]

but from where I stood/sat/stood/sat/stood/sat/stood (and that was just first half)

I KNOW what you mean! I have only been to one catholic funeral, and nearly got out of sync with the stand up/sit down phasing. Bit like an aerobic session, really.
I wonder, if Christ had been electrocuted instead of crucified, whether catholics would wear a little chair around their necks?

[Usarka]

Try going to a catholic wedding in ireland.

The reason the paddys' get pissed afterwards is because they've been lectured about how bad they've sinned and to relieve the pain in their knees.

[Pussy]

Yep... most people look as though they had more fun at the last funeral they went to at a catholic wedding.....

[MadDuck]

Brings back a memory for me.

I happened to be in Ireland one Xmas some oh 15ish years ago. What do you do in Ireland at Xmas well you go to church before you head to the pub.... St Stephens Day. I loved my time there truely I did.

Went to this place in the middle of nowhere and ...wow....how formal was that. It has remained etched in my memory banks. I remember saying to my Irish friend just nudge me when its time to stand so I am not seen as being disrespectful. Hell they mostly laughed at me because of my accent.

First and last time I have ever been in a Catholic church.

[phill-k]

I don't go any more as they have become very cheap with the wine, only a tiny sip and its usually corked. At the end of the communion the bugger usually swills whats left as well.

[ynot slow]

After doing the school thing,and not going to church,the amazing thing is I remember what happens even now.
My uncles funeral was the full monty and had heaps of speakers,very un pc and humerous,the priest was a family relative,was my last funeral or visit to catholic church,but amongst the ceromony was very focused on my uncle and his life.

[Urano]

i'm catholic.


it's simple: the goal is "love others more than yourself".
i'm a bad catholic.

after all i've been baptised only 5 years ago.
i wanted to think very well on that...

[Maha]

I don't go any more as they have become very cheap with the wine, only a tiny sip and its usually corked. At the end of the communion the bugger usually swills whats left as well.

Whats with the part where you turn to the person next to you or in front of you and offer your blessings?
I realise the church/religion has its formula, but thats like waving to someone on the road aint it?

[davereid]

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

That's true for the Christian Church.

But there are lots of religions that will still cheerfully cut a womans genitals / nose / ears / nipples off, and pelt her with stones on a Sunday afternoon.

Mind you. 20 minutes on the internet finds plenty of non religious people seeking exactly the same experience.