Funerals - what do agnostics/atheists do?

[Capt Dizle]

huh?

Funerals - what do agnostics/atheists do?

They go to hell of course.

[The Andy-Man]

I can't really see why an atheist wouold care....

[Neutrino]

As an atheist, I'd prefer that body be recycled back into the natural cycle or used for scientific research. Just playing my part in the life cycle.

[Sava]

I don't think there is one custom that all agnostics/atheists follow. And usually, most of them come from families that do have some sort of religious background of some sort. It's up to the individual. And that's the key to being agnostic/atheist... each person has their own ideas and they don't conform to some overriding cultural or religious set of rituals.

[Alexander's Horse]

Atheists and agnostics? Don't they just put the body out with the garbage?

Must be difficult to know what to do.

I'm catholic so I already know what to expect right down to the choice of readings. All in all its a very nice comforting ceremony for the bereaved.

[Lorizael]

Make sure my body goes to good use and don't waste any money on me once I'm dead. If my family wants to celebrate my life or mourn my death in some way, then that's up to them. But no ritual, no thousands of dollars on caskets, none of that for my death...

[Rex Little]

When my mother died, we had her cremated and held a (totally non-religious) memorial gathering. We'll most certainly do the same when my father's time comes.

My own case will be interesting, assuming I die before my wife does, because I'm an atheist but she isn't. I've told her that I'd like my skeleton saved and hung outside every Halloween, but I rather doubt she'll go along. . .

[Goingonit]

I'm agnostic but I'm also Jewish, so I guess I'd have a Jewish funeral.

All that God talk wouldn't hurt anyone. After all, like Pascal says, if you pray to God and there isn't one, what's gonna happen?

[Skanky Burns]

When my mother died, we had her cremated and held a (totally non-religious) memorial gathering. We'll most certainly do the same when my father's time comes.

As with my grandfather. Was good*.


* As good as a funeral type thing could be, anyway.

[Lorizael]

Originally posted by Goingonit
All that God talk wouldn't hurt anyone. After all, like Pascal says, if you pray to God and there isn't one, what's gonna happen?

The problem with that theory is that God is omniscient, so he knows if you're just praying for a free pass. I think he'd be more pissed at someone that prayed just in case than someone that actually had some sort of conviction in life.

[Alexander's Horse]

I think cremation is good - its neat. You don't take up too much space - or none at all if the ashes are scattered.

The only downside is geneology.

[Lorizael]

Originally posted by Alexander's Horse
The only downside is geneology.

[Alexander's Horse]

Headstones are important for tracing geneology.

[Zero]

Any of the options will do::

1. Be mumified
2. Blasted into space
3.cremated
4.get shredded

who gives a damn when ur dead?

I would hate to do a funeral cause for some reason I have this huge urge to laugh at a funeral and I let out a smirk once or twice. It really looks bad whena family member catches me doing it while everyone is sobbing. If this thing is genetic, I dont want my grandchildren suffering the same thing.

[molly bloom]

Both my partner and I intend to be cremated when the time comes. He has stated he wants his ashes scattered off Gwennap Head in Cornwall- me, I think I'd like to be dunked in the Irish version of the Ganges- back to Anna Livia Plurabelle.

Although I'd much rather go to a good party before I die, I'm quite happy for friends and relatives to have a good time at my expense when I depart stage right. I even have a list of music to be played when I'm incinerating, starting with Martha and the Vandelllas' 'Heatwave' .