Secular Funerals?
Offline I would like to hear from any other atheists/non-theists who have made arrangements for their own secular funerals. I know there are a few books on the market with some suggested ceremonies etc. But for those of us who have only talked about it or thought about it and haven't yet actually done anything about it, do you ever worry that your death will be turned into yet another opportunity for proselytizing? I do. So I make sure my children know how I would appreciate my memory being (hopefully) celebrated. I've even picked out a few songs that are special to me and told them these songs would be cool to play at my funeral.
What prompted me to think about this recently is the huge funeral gathering of firefighters from all across the country for the 9 who died in SC. It could be the case that they all had the same religious beliefs. But I know I would not appreciate being represented by a PVC-pipe constructed cross that to me represents human sacrifice and the concept of punishing the supposedly innocent for the sake of the guilty. And one more thing--all firefighters are not Irish!!! I hate the sound of bagpipes!!! But that's just me. What do you think?
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I wouldn't mind going out like Hunter S. Thompson, everyone likes fireworks. Although my 'cannon' would probably only be like 10 feet tall, unless I can convince Johnny Depp to flip the bill. Ultimately I won't care either way, as I won't be aware of it.
"I contend we are both atheists, I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours."--Stephen F. Roberts
I don't like the idea of funerals the way they're done now, honestly. My dad's funeral was excrutiating, primarily because all the theists there had to make up stories about what a great Christian he was (he wasn't a Christian) and we had to listen to how important it is to believe in Jesus, yada yada... he'd have hated that.
I'm going to throw one last party. Basically, a certain amount of money is going to my funeral/party, and the deal is, everybody drinks and eats, and at one point, everyone sits down together, and anyone who wants to say something they remember about me can do it. No official speeches allowed, and if anybody prays or preaches, all my money goes to the FFRF.
No shit.
I have no idea if it's enforceable, but I'm going to try. I really am working on how to get this in my will. (I tried once, but the will had other problems, and didn't get executed.)
Atheism isn't a lot like religion at all. Unless by "religion" you mean "not religion". --Ciarin
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Indeed. I've stated before, were price no object, I'd like to be shot out of a ginormous cannon into the sun - why not?
In all seriousness though, I'd simply like people to throw a party in my honor. Open bar a must, 21 and over please.
Then I'd like to be shot out of a cannon. Perhaps just into low earth orbit if the sun is out of the question
I am against religion because it teaches us to be satisfied with not understanding the world. - Richard Dawkins
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Full explanation here.
Today, the tradition is universal and not just for the Irish or Scottish. The pipes have come to be a distinguishing feature of a fallen hero's funeral.
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Yes, the bagpipe tradition (derived from Irish & Scottish heritage) has become universalized just as the Maltese cross (derived from crusader heritage) has become a universalized symbol for firefighters. And as a typical American mutt, I am sure I have my share of that Celtic blood flowing through my veins as well. I certainly did not mean to disparage an entire ethnic group. It is just my own personal taste. And even if they do play some bagpipes at my funeral, I can take solace now that I won't have to hear it then.
I'm probably too young to think about it. I know that I don't want a religious funeral. No prayers, no bible readings, no hymns, just a celebration of my life, some of my favourite songs being played, people talking about my life, hopefully about what I meant to them.
I want it to be a nice day. One that people can enjoy. And hopefully a day at least 70-80 years in the future.
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As a nearly full blooded irishman, I'd want a row of hot stepdancers at my funeral. If I could, I'd also like the be set up as a marionette and join in.
Maybe that's weird.
Only if having them stand you up in the back of the room, and having people play "find the dead person" is wierd.
I am fond of the Zoroastrian tradition's "Towers of Silence." They're just stone silos that are several stories high. At the top, they have a large grate. Animals, like vultures, have access. Once the bones have been picked clean, the bones fall into the tower through the grate.
"Tis better to rule in Hell than to serve in Heaven." -Lucifer
Personally I plan on never dying. Seeing how my physical body will some day give up, I guess I'll have to be digitized somehow. But I'll worry about that when it somes to it, hopefully in a hundred years or so
"This is the real world, stupid." - Charlie Brooker
"It is necessary to be bold. Some people can be reasoned into sense, and others must be shocked into it. Say a bold thing that will stagger them, and they will begin to think." - Thomas Paine
Damn, Nero, that's just creepy.
I just want people to party after my death and tell each other how great I was.
If god takes life he's an indian giver
I thought this was pretty cool:LAS VEGAS — Shortly after Jeffrey "Toz" Toczylowski's last mission in Iraq a year ago this month, friends received a message."If you are getting this e-mail, it means that I have passed away," the missive said. "No, it's not a sick Toz joke, but a letter I wanted to write in case this happened."The Army Special Forces captain, 30, said he would like family and friends to attend his burial at Arlington National Cemetery, "but understand if you can't make it."The message, distributed by a fellow Green Beret after Toczylowski's family had been notified of his death, added: "There will also be a party in Vegas with a 100k to help pay for travel, room and a party."Last Saturday, Toczylowski's mother, Peggy, hustled about Las Vegas' Palms Hotel and Casino, making final arrangements for a bash that drew family and childhood friends from her son's hometown in Upper Moreland, Pa., near Philadelphia, men and women from his days at Texas A&M University, and comrades in arms who had bonded with "Toz" on missions they could not discuss with civilians.By 7 p.m., the last of 120 or so guests were offering hotel bouncers the password and trooping into the Palm's 10,000-square-foot Hardwood entertainment suite.Two women in skimpy outfits poured liquor from the fully stocked bar. Disc jockeys blasted rock and rap from a loft decked out with a pool table, a wide-screen video-game console and a circular loveseat with remote controls that rotated it out of view... http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2003436814_greenberet18.html
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I have heard of this and always thought it was a pretty efficient method. Smelly but efficient. I would be ok with it, but you all better read from the cards I leave each and every one of you explaining how wonderful, smart, beautiful, etc. I am. LOL (Hey, I'll make sure booze is provided for free.)
Zoroastrian corpses aren't "smelly" . . . they cleanse the deceased bodies in cow urine first.