Jehovas Witness Funeral

[Goodsoulette]

I'm off to a funeral in a few hours and the lady who passed away was a JW as are all her family and friends. It's being held at the crem, what can I expect and is there anything I should be aware of or not do?

[Ankou]

"The Jehovah’s Witnesses funeral service is similar to other Christian faiths, but lasts only 15 or 30 minutes. The funeral usually takes place within a week after death. At the service, men wear a suit and tie, and women are expected to dress modestly, but neither needs a head covering. Flowers and food may be offered to the family before, during or after the service.

Services take place in a funeral home or Kingdom Hall, the Jehovah’s Witnesses place of worship. There may or may not be an open casket. The Congregation Elder conducts the service and delivers a talk, which may be tape recorded. Cameras or video equipment, however, are not permitted. Guests who are not of this faith may participate in the service to the extent that they feel comfortable. At graveside, the scriptures are referenced and a prayer is read. "

at least it won't drag on and on like catholic ones...

[ummmm]

Nothing wrong with a Catholic funeral. Irish ones at least...some of the best parties I've ever been to...!!

[starmack]

Irish funerals are civilised affairs now! Wakes in rural areas used to on all through the night.

[ummmm]

I thought they were always civilised....!!

[jackthehat]

ummmm - I remember a funeral that took place on a Friday with the wake held at the Volunteer..........and there were still 'mourners' staggering about the place on the sunday afternoon ! :o)

I think Gary owed barrels of beer to all the pubs on the Welly road...........and even the top-shelf bottles of 'coloured stuff' had been drunk.

[Ankou]

oh ummmm you know me better than that. i like a good old wake like the next person (unless its mine i s'pose) but i was referring o the actual service. even at irish catholic funerals most of the congregation are falling asleep or breaking into a sweat and edging slowly towards the doors so they can be first at the bar in murph'y lounge!

[Goodsoulette]

Lol well I went and there was no singing. A lot of religious stuff, and people recognising that I wasnt one of them as soon as I walked in were thrusting their books at me. It was quite a nice service, I thought the lack of hymns made it seem a lot less personal for some reason. . . and it appears there is no time when offering to bring you some suggested reading isn't on the mind.