Trying to Decide whether to have a church funeral or a non- religious life celebration? 

Deciding whether to have a church funeral or a non-religious life celebration ultimately depends on personal and cultural beliefs, traditions, and wishes of the deceased and their family. Here are some possible pros and cons of each:

Church funeral:

Pros:

  • Offers a sense of familiarity and comfort to those who belong to the religious community of the deceased.
  • Provides an opportunity for members of the community to come together to offer support and condolences to the family.
  • Can include religious rituals and prayers that provide comfort and meaning to those who believe in them.
  • May offer the deceased a sense of continuity with an eternal life, belief in resurrection, or their religion's afterlife.

Cons:

  • May not reflect the beliefs or wishes of the deceased or their family who may not be religious or belong to a different faith.
  • Could exclude people who don't share that particular religion or belief system.
  • May not provide enough personalization or flexibility.
  • Can be more expensive than a non-religious life celebration.

Non-religious life celebration:

Pros:

  • Provides an opportunity to celebrate the life and legacy of the deceased in a more personalized and unique way that reflects their personality, beliefs, and values.
  • Allows the family to create a more meaningful ceremony that honors the deceased's life.
  • Can include music, poetry, artwork, and other meaningful elements that reflect the deceased's interests and passions.
  • Can welcome a broad range of attendees without excluding anyone based on religion or beliefs.
  • Generally less expensive than a church funeral.

Cons:

  • May not offer the same level of spiritual or religious comfort to the family or attendees who may be more comfortable with traditional religious rituals and practices.
  • Can be harder to plan and execute.
  • Could cause anxiety or disappointment for family members who expect a more traditional religious funeral.

Ultimately, it's important for the family to weigh their preferences, beliefs, and expectations before making a decision on which type of ceremony to have. They may also consult with a funeral director or a religious leader to explore the available options and customize the ceremony to accommodate various needs and wishes.

New! Comments

We welcome your comments.
Share this page:
Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.