Death Without Religion

[Nadis]

When someone has no belief in religion, can they be cremated without all the twaddle normally associated with the church or their ilk? (They have to be dead first though...of course).

[douglas9401]

Indeed they can (in Scotland). The funeral director will put you in touch with what is in effect an MC to steer things along, time being of the essence or a few mates can organise it themselves.
Organisation is the key, there's another service coming along in about 20 minutes.

[sinderella]

yes they can(if they are dead!)
"A secular or humanist funeral is a positive, dignified, non-religious celebration of the life of a loved-one. Recognising that all life ends, we accept that there is no evidence of a life after death, so we concentrate on the life that has been, taking comfort in the fact that the deceased will live on in our memories. So we celebrate the achievements of the deceased and the influence had on those that they have come in contact with and the world around them."

[Nadis]

Thank you very much Doug and sinderella for the speedy replies:0)

[Buenchico]

There's no need for a funeral at all. My will includes this:
"I desire that my body be cremated without ceremony and that my ashes be disposed of, also without ceremony, in any convenient refuse receptacle."

Chris

[seadogg]

That's fine Chris if there is only yourself to consider. Many family members feel better for the ceremonial,wives children especially.

[douglas9401]

I hope that "without ceremony" will allow the raising of a virtual glass Chris. :)

[jomifl]

I buried my brother 2 years ago and as he was an atheist he had a secular green funeral with music provided by a jazz band. The mourners said it was the best funeral that they had been too. A couple of mourners subsequently booked plots as it was such a lovely peaceful place. There was no recorded religious music and no trace of religiosity at all. Very sad but strangely uplifting.

[FredPuli43]

LOL @ Chris. Trouble is, a testamentary direction for the disposal of your body or the arrangement of any service or none, is not something which your executors are bound by. Though I'm sure they will do their best by you, and keep your body until the relevant fortnightly collection of the wheelie bin. You'll just to hope that they keep the lid sufficiently closed and the bin near enough to the kerb. Don't want the Council leaving it for a week or trying to exact a fine from your estate.

[wolf63]

Chris - just remember to get someone to inform all of us at AB that you have gone up in a puff of smoke.

The thought of a jazz band or something equally upbeat appeals to me.

[starone]

You have to get permission as to where you scatter your ashes or it could be interpreted as contamination, although I can't think why since everything is dirty anyway, especially in a refuse receptacle. I have always said they could throw me on the rubbish tip but I think it might cause problems with the local council.

[gness]

Had a wonderful Humanist ceremony for my late husband. I did most of the talking.......no change there. Children and grandchildren played flutes, fiddles and tin whistles and we played tracks from his favourite musicals. He had arranged for a friend to have The Twelfth of Never by Johnny Mathis played. His last tease. I really dislike Johnny Mathis but loved the sentiment. People apologised for "enjoying" the funeral. Oh, and we held it on the stage of our local theatre.

[nungate]

When my stepfather died he was adamant that he didn't want any religious aspect to his funeral. We had a lovely lady from the Humanist society to officiate at the cremation. We had some poetry readings and music he'd chosen himself beforehand. It was a lovely send off.

[Zabadak]

Apart from one Humanist presenter spending rather too long explaining why it wasn't "religious", secular funerals I have attended have been thoughtful, satisfying affairs.
As I run the sound-desk at my local Church, I would also say that the leadership there goes to great lengths to ensure that a) wishes are complied with and b) the service is in keeping with the ethos of the recently deceased and their family. Music I have played recently includes West Ham singing "I'm forever blowing bubbles" and Westlife.

[jomifl]

Hi Zabadak, glad to see that you are still around :-)

[Noraq]

Most...(if not all)... Undertakers will provide a ''twaddle' free Service.
They do here anyway.

[Noraq]

^We made our Wills and checked this out recently.

[whiskeryron]

//sinderella
. Recognising that all life ends, we accept that there is no evidence of a life after death//

http://www.near-death.com/evidence.html

Ron.