Multiple religions, one funeral, one long day...

[yoopermom]

DH's uncle's funeral was last weekend. He was a Scientologist and active in that community. His wife has been a practicing Catholic her whole life, and raised her sons in that faith. Two sons are kind of generic Christians now, the third is Scientologist,the fourth is Jehovah's Witness. The widow wanted a Catholic Mass, which went fairly well, with the two Christian sons giving poetry readings at the end, very touching. The deceased's Scientology beliefs were *not* mentioned, however, and the JW and his family refused to enter the church for the service. Lots of grumblings and religious discussion ensued on the ride home, so thought I'd ask you wise ones:
1. Is Scientology a "religion", and, if so, should he have had a service of that type? (It was like the silent beast in the corner since we all knew he was VERY active in it, but NO ONE mentioned it all weekend.)
2. Is it part of the JW faith not to enter other houses of worship? (The widow was very upset, and I felt bad for her that her son and his family wouldn't join her and at least just sit there.)

I've attended religious events at all types of Christian churches, and just try to show respect, even if I don't "participate", but, after this funeral, have decided to just have a party at Disney for my survivors!
Terri

 

[needanewjob]

Two sons are kind of generic Christians now, one is Scientologist,one is Jehovah's Witness.

These are not christian religions!

 

[Beth76]

Scientology is not a religion, it's just more of a way of life. Even TC (and we know he knows everything) says it's not a religion. Should it have been mentioned? Perhaps, but I'm not really sure how to do that. Besides the funeral is more for the family than it is for the deceased. I don't know, that's a tough situation. I don't know anything about JW.

 

[clarabelle]

Scientology is a religion. I had a friend who became involved years ago. It was started by the science fiction author L.Ron Hubbard. I bet you could google it and get some very interesting info.


I do not know if they have ceremonial type things like weddings and funerals.

 

[diznygirl]

I see the OP edited to clarify that there are 4 sons.

I don't know, but if it were me and my dad - I'd be going into whatever building for whatever service to pay my respects to my father. But I do think that it would have been nice to have the son who is the Scientologist do a short eulogy.

 

[KathyFP]

How do they manage other celebrations birthdays, weddings

 

[yoopermom]

The whole family is scattered geographically, so I don't think it happens too often, but I know the JW son doesn't bring his family to any birthday parties, etc, and have their own holiday celebrations (since they don't celebrate certain ones). They're very nice people, but I don't know much about their religion.
Terri

 

[robinb]

A quick Google Search tells me that JW cannot enter a church building, so I understand why the one brother was not at the funeral. I consider Scientology a religion and Scientologists have their own funeral services and that son should have been included in the service. But, if your uncle's religion was a problem with your aunt, I can see why he was not included. Honestly, I'm surprised that the priest gave your uncle a Catholic Mass funeral if he was not Catholic.

 

[Disney Doll]

My inclination is to think that the funeral service should be in the religion/belief system of the deceased, unless the deceased didn't subscribe to a particular religion/belief system. Then I guess I'd plan a memorial service which would include some music (not necessarily religious) and readings (again, not necessarily religious) that may have had some meaning to the deceased or may have "represented" the deceased in some fashion.

I also know that I would have attended the funeral service for my father, regardless of what building it was held in.

I have a Catholic colleague whose late husband was a Methodist, and when he passed away, she had his funeral in the Methodist church he attended as a child, which was still the church his parents attended.

It's good to have some sort of cermonial thing for "closure" even though I hate that overused word!!! I have a friend whose father died. They had a wake, but no burial or memorial service, so it never seemed "finished". At the wake, everyone did the normal wake thing, and at the end of the evening, we all kind of just...left. My friend feels the same way, but it was her mother's choice to do it that way. She never buried him either...keeps him in an urn on the mantle, and when she dies, she wants their ashes mixed and then each of their children (they have 3) gets to keep the ashes for 4 motnhs at a time.

 

[robinb]

She never buried him either...keeps him in an urn on the mantle, and when she dies, she wants their ashes mixed and then each of their children (they have 3) gets to keep the ashes for 4 motnhs at a time.

This strikes me as funny/strange. Mom and Dad will travel between the kids every 4 months. I'll just file that under "whatever floats your boat!".

 

[desiab]

These are not christian religions!

Christian Audio pronunciation of "christian" ( P ) Pronunciation Key (krschn)
adj.

1. Professing belief in Jesus as Christ or following the religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus.
2. Relating to or derived from Jesus or Jesus's teachings.
3. Manifesting the qualities or spirit of Jesus; Christlike.
4. Relating to or characteristic of Christianity or its adherents.
5. Showing a loving concern for others; humane.

You might want to check up on their beliefs before you make such a broad statement.

 

[LuvN~Travel]

How do they manage other celebrations birthdays, weddings

My guess here would be, not very well!
Kim

 

[djcruz4fun]

I just love getting together when my sister (Born again Christin) is visiting, Between her and my brother (LDS) telling everyone who's God is better by the end of the visit I'm ready to pull my hare out. one or the other is ok but together is no fun.

 

[caitycaity]

my family is also a multi-religious family. personally, i think that the belief of teh deceased should be the type of ceremony held. i would be pretty pissed (yes, i know i'd be dead) if the catholic members of my family decided to give me a catholic burial.

multiple religions is really not a huge deal in my family. people tend to be respectful.