funeral prayers

[Vinayaka]

I'm not a Christian but have a question. If a good Christian dies, what would you think if a friend or acquaintance from another religion that is quite different than Christianity prayed for the deceased in the non-Christian ways? Would you be offended?

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

of course not.. what's to offend. Mind you whilst many Christians pray for the dead, I am not sure what effect it could have. Praying for those they leave behind is more to the point.

 

[Vinayaka]

So if a Luciferian prayed to Lucifer for your loved one, you wouldn't be offended? Of course, I see you're an Anglican, one of the more open minded versions of Christianity.

I'm a bit troubled by it because sometimes it goes beyond prayer to things like burial against the deceased wishes, or cremation against the deceased wishes. But good to know anyway. Thanks.

 

[Terrywoodenpic]

So if a Luciferian prayed to Lucifer for your loved one, you wouldn't be offended? Of course, I see you're an Anglican, one of the more open minded versions of Christianity.

I'm a bit troubled by it because sometimes it goes beyond prayer to things like burial against the deceased wishes, or cremation against the deceased wishes. But good to know anyway. Thanks.

Whilst I do not even believe in Lucifer, I still would not be offended. as in most cases it is the thought that counts.

I am not sure why any one would go against a deceased wishes, in the matter of the disposal of their remains. But if they did, I am sure it would do no harm. As dust is dust and is no longer the person you lost.

 

[Kathryn]

Funerals are not for the dead, they are for the living. If the family who has lost a loved one is OK with prayers or readings from other faiths, then it's fine. Otherwise, I'd say no deal.

 

[ReligionBro]

Funerals are not for the dead, they are for the living. If the family who has lost a loved one is OK with prayers or readings from other faiths, then it's fine. Otherwise, I'd say no deal.

I disagree.

Funerals are certainly for family and friends of the deceased, but they are definitely a place where people gather to pay their respects to the deceased. People shouldn't have a problem with someone else's method by which they show respect.

 

[Kathryn]

I disagree.

Funerals are certainly for family and friends of the deceased, but they are definitely a place where people gather to pay their respects to the deceased. People shouldn't have a problem with someone else's method by which they show respect.

Wait a minute - the family plans the funeral. Are you saying that someone who the family disagrees with should feel justified in forcing their own religious/theological prayers or statements into a ceremony which they did not plan (or finance) and that the family should just suck it up?

 

[Vinayaka]

Thanks for the replies. As for who the funeral is for, it may vary somewhat on the religion, but certainly it has a lot to do with survivors. I personally think it is at least in part for the deceased as the prayers are to send the soul merrily in its war, free from attachment, but my view is dharmic. But that's all kind of irrelevant to what may go on. I've been at funerals that basically called on anyone wishing to say a few words to do so. Now that could open a can of worms, no? I can see somebody standing up at my funeral and telling everyone I was going to hell. I don't think such things would ever belong at any funeral.

 

[Kathryn]

Amen, Vinayaka! Respect for the dead includes respect for the living when it comes to funerals.

 

[Vinayaka]

Amen, Vinayaka! Respect for the dead includes respect for the living when it comes to funerals.

Only unless you have an incredibly dark sense of humour like in Harold and Maude. But that's just Hollywood, not reality.

 

[sojourner]

I'm not a Christian but have a question. If a good Christian dies, what would you think if a friend or acquaintance from another religion that is quite different than Christianity prayed for the deceased in the non-Christian ways? Would you be offended?

If it's a distinctly Christian funeral, held in a Christian church, under the auspices of distinctly Christian rites, then the prayers should follow suit. Other kinds of prayers can be offered at other times and places.