Anyone been to a Jehovah's Witness funeral?

scottbombedout · 01-10-2008, 10:38 AM

Our good friends Mother has just died. She and her husband were both Jehovah's Witnesses.

How different is the funeral at their Hall and are non believers made to feel welcome?

Scott

VaSteve · 01-10-2008, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottbombedout

Our good friends Mother has just died. She and her husband were both Jehovah's Witnesses.

How different is the funeral at their Hall and are non believers made to feel welcome?

Scott

The Mother won't mind your prescence.

Can't understand why a religeous or spiritual ceremony would be more uncomfortable than being around the greiving. Go comfort your friend.

M.D. Holloway · 01-10-2008, 11:12 AM

just like Weddings - best part is the food afterwards...

masraum · 01-10-2008, 11:17 AM

I work with a JW. He's very friendly and not pushy about his stuff at all. If I thought I should or wanted to go, I would without a second thought. You shouldn't have any problems.

Just try to ignore the speaking in tongues and levitating bodies. j/k

berettafan · 01-10-2008, 01:56 PM

you wanna talk about being uncomfortable at a funeral try being a protestant at a catholic funeral!

BertBeagle · 04:50 PM

My mother and her sister as well as their mother and father (my grandparents) were Jehovah's Witnesses - all deceased. The funerals were not unlike funerals in other churches / funeral homes I have been to except for one important differences. Different ones from the church talk. Very well done.

As for my mother, one of her best friends in the church is my age and in the same business as me. He came to me and asked if I would mind if he spoke as did a couple of others from the church. When I encouraged them to do so then each wanted to give me an outline of what they would say and I refused saying that I felt that whatever they chose to say would be appropriate and well received. I was amazed at what they said. They were not trying to evoke emotion or make people cry like I have heard at funerals in other churches. In the truest sense what they did and said was a celebration of my mothers life. I was able to get thru it without braking down and have them to thank for that. I couldn't thank them enough.

Everyone committed on how good the service was. There was no issue of feeling welcome or not - "us and them" - etc.

trekkor · 01-10-2008, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Just try to ignore the speaking in tongues and levitating bodies.

That made me bust up laughing

I've been to at least 20 memorial services over the years.
An encouraging talk will be given about the person's life that has died.
The Bible will be used to briefly highlight the condition of the dead and the resurrection hope.

Plan on a 20 minute discourse.

The memorial will end with a song and a prayer.

Be there to offer your support and condolences.
The family will appreciate it.

KT

berettafan · 01-10-2008, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BertBeagle

When I encouraged them to do so then each wanted to give me an outline of what they would say and I refused saying that I felt that whatever they chose to say would be appropriate and well received.

very cool!

Normy · 01-10-2008, 06:39 PM

I've never been to a Jehovah's Witness funeral. But my Uncle Dean married a woman who was a JW, and he converted to that church.

I don't care at all for that religion. I'm an athiest, and I have my own religion. I have a problem with people who put their own religion on their face- the people with the fish decals on their cars. I don't care what people believe, but when they become homophobic or get weird when two people of different religions or races come together....I get ugly.

When Uncle Dean married this woman, it was a big stink, but it didn't stop members of the family from coming to meet her. They all put on good faces when they met her, and I'm also sure they all admired her breasts, which were probably 45 inches and a "D" cup.

JH's have come to my house over the years, and I've just brushed them off. But the JH's in my family have never put any pressure on me, and have always been cordial and friendly when I've gone to their house. Really, you wouldn't know there was any sort of different religion going on at all. For years I visited their house, and didn't have any idea that this religion was any different from any other.

N

berettafan · 01-10-2008, 07:37 PM

what's wrong with the fish sign?

scottbombedout · 01-11-2008, 05:38 AM

That was great, thanks for your replys including those by email and pm.

I knew the woman for 33 years. Not once in all that time was religion ever mentioned. Her son even said to me yesterday 'Did you ever realise she was a Jehovah's Witness?'

Fantastic people, too much rubbish written sometimes about religion.

Scott

BertBeagle · 01-11-2008, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottbombedout

That was great, thanks for your replys including those by email and pm.

I knew the woman for 33 years. Not once in all that time was religion ever mentioned. Her son even said to me yesterday 'Did you ever realise she was a Jehovah's Witness?'

Fantastic people, too much rubbish written sometimes about religion.

Scott

+1 - you just answered your own question and added a wise comment.

Joeaksa · 01-14-2008, 11:20 AM

I just went to one and you will be fine. It was a very friendly service... a bit different but still fine.

Jims5543 · 01-14-2008, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottbombedout

Our good friends Mother has just died. She and her husband were both Jehovah's Witnesses.

How different is the funeral at their Hall and are non believers made to feel welcome?

Scott

No different than any other funeral I have been to, very friendly people and not too preachy.

I personally hate funerals and JW ones are very tolerable. Not as dramatic as your standard funeral which I try to avoid at all costs.