Jehovah Witness funeral or memorial service?

[Silent1CB]

This thread isn't about the religion or beliefs so please don't close it or get it closed with your answers. I just need some answers. On Saturday, I need to attend a memorial service for someone who was Jehovah Witness. Its not going to be at their Kingdom Hall, but rather a rental hall. I think because the person the service is for wasn't completely a believer but once was. The family in charge of the arrangements is the one who is JW.

What are the basics / differences so I don't do or say something wrong and offend anyone? I'm Catholic.

Thanks.

 

[catycatcat4]

I have neighbors that are and i don't think they really do any thing different when it comes to funerals.

 

[Silent1CB]

Since they don't believe in the Trinity, I'm guessing I'm not to make the sign of the Cross?

 

[SeaSpray]

Since the person who is in charge of the memorial service is one of Jehovah's Witness, and the person who has died either was, or was maybe studying the bible at one time (hard to tell from what you've said), then I imagine that the memorial talk will include a short talk and would involve several scriptures from the bible regarding the condition of the dead and the hope for the future, and possibly some personal comments about the deceased.

It definitely won't involve any kneeling, or any kind of religious service, etc.

I am certain that you won't do anything intentionally to offend anyone. And I'm sorry for your loss.


Edited to add: I just re-read your original post, and you said that the family member in charge of the service is the one who is one of Jehovah's Witness; well if it's a large family and most or all of the other family members are not, then it's quite possible that this memorial service would be somewhat "generic" (for lack of a better word) and not designed with any specific religion. Do you know the actual religion of the deceased person? For example, I am one of the Jehovah's Witnesses, but my DH is not. If he dies before me, I know exactly the kind of memorial service that I would plan for him that would honor my DH's and my beliefs (he is not a Witness but feels that what we believe is also what he believes), but also would not offend my DH's family. Without knowing more details, it's difficult to say. But at any rate, you don't have anything to worry about.

 

[Daisybelle]

As the above poster said, it will likely be just a scriptual discussion entailing the Bible's positive hope for dead loved ones, with some information about the person who died, possibly with a song and then a prayer to conclude. More a memorial service then a funeral.
I'm sorry for your loss! Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[Silent1CB]

Thanks for the info.

 

[Luv2Scrap]

I was raised in the Jehovah Witness faith. I haven't been with it for many years, but here's what I remember. Someone correct me if I get it wrong.

You probably don't want to say anything about their loved one being in heaven now. They don't believe in heaven or hell. They believe the dead are in a state of sleep, and that they will be resurrected someday. Therefore, they will likely not grieve the way you might expect. If they believe in the resurrection, then they believe very strongly that they will see their loved one again, so while they do grieve the loss, they also try to concentrate more on celebrating their life. They may not even wear black to the funeral.

At my grandma's funeral, I was the one who did the most crying, because I was the one who believed the least that I would see her again.

 

[Silent1CB]

I was raised in the Jehovah Witness faith. I haven't been with it for many years, but here's what I remember. Someone correct me if I get it wrong.

You probably don't want to say anything about their loved one being in heaven now. They don't believe in heaven or hell. They believe the dead are in a state of sleep, and that they will be resurrected someday. Therefore, they will likely not grieve the way you might expect. If they believe in the resurrection, then they believe very strongly that they will see their loved one again, so while they do grieve the loss, they also try to concentrate more on celebrating their life. They may not even wear black to the funeral.

At my grandma's funeral, I was the one who did the most crying, because I was the one who believed the least that I would see her again.

Thank you. Very important stuff to know.

 

[Nancyg56]

I attended a wake for a JW several years ago. It was at a local funeral home. I did not attend the service. I never assume that people have the same beliefs as I do so I usually just say how sorry I am for the loss. I think that no matter what a person believes they grieve the loss of their family or their friend even if the y believe in an afterlife. whenever you support someone who is grieving your presence means more than your words and less is usually more, IMO.