Christian, Sikh and Humanist funerals
Friday, 23 February 2018 Christian,Sikh and humanist funeral services L.O. To understand the concept celebrating life. I can explain briefly a Christian,Sikh and humanist funeral service. I can explain fully briefly a Christian,Sikh and humanist funeral service. I can support these ideas with quotations and use these key words: last rites, crematorium, requiem mass, eulogy, committal, Sukhmani, Kirtan Sohila, Ardas, Akhand Path
Soul The spiritual aspect of a being; that which connects to God. The soul is often regarded as non-physical and as living on after physical death, in an afterlife.
Sanctity of Life The belief the life is precious or sacred. For many religious believers, only human life holds this special status. Life is given by God and only God can take it away.
Christians believe that death is not the end. The resurrection of Jesus gives Christians hope that there is life after death in heaven with God. Therefore a Christian funeral is a time of celebration as well as sadness. Life after Death
The Bible says He who believes in me shall not die but have everlasting life. (John 11:25) (Jesus, Bible)
Why do Christians have funerals? Christians believe that death is not the end of somebody's existence, just somebody s life on earth. Christians have funeral services because they want to celebrate that person s life on earth and say goodbye to them until they meet them again.
Use these cards to explain what is happening in each of the following pictures.
What s happening and why? Before death (if possible) a priest is called to say the last rites. This includes prayers and forgiveness of sins.
What s happening and why? A Christian funeral will usually take place in a place of worship ~ Church so that the service happens in the presence of God. It could also happen in the crematorium chapel. The Coffin will be brought into church by the pall bearers and placed near the altar table, as a symbol of being close to God s presence.
What s happening and why? At the start of the funeral the priest / vicar will read I am the resurrection and the life as a reminder of the eternal afterlife in heaven.
What s happening and why? Flowers are displayed as a symbol of a new life in heaven. Candles are often lit as a symbol that Jesus is the light of the world because he guides people on a path to heaven.
What s happening and why? Hymns are sung to thank God for the person s life and to remind mourners of the afterlife. Prayers are said to thank God for that person s life and to support the family.
What s happening and why? Catholics will have a Requiem Mass where prayers are said for the dead person s soul and bread and wine is shared with the congregation.
What s happening and why? A Eulogy is a personal speech often made by family members where they share memories about their loved one.
What s happening and why? Some Christians prefer burial as they believe on the Day of Judgement there will be a bodily resurrection with God in heaven. The lowering of the coffin into the ground is called the committal.
What s happening and why? Christians can bury or cremate the body. Whatever they chose the words ashes to ashes, dust to dust are said. This reminds Christians that originally Adam was created from soil.
What s happening and why? A Christian funeral will usually take place in a place of worship ~ Church so that the service happens in the presence of God. It could also happen in the crematorium chapel. Some Christians believe only the soul goes to heaven and that they will receive a new spiritual body, so cremation is acceptable. Christians can bury or cremate the body. Whatever they chose the words ashes to ashes, dust to dust are said. This reminds Christians that originally Adam was created from soil.
Check your understanding Christian Funerals Knowledge Check: What happens during a Christian Funeral? P 78 1) What are last rites? 2) When are last rites read? 3) Why would Communion/Eucharist be a part of Christian Funeral rites? 4) Why is the coffin placed near the altar table? 5) Why do some Christians choose cremation? 6) Why do some Christians prefer burial? 7) Why are candles lit as part of the funeral service?
Sikhs cremate people when they die. In the Sikh homeland of the Punjab this often happens on the day of death but in other places it may take longer so that relatives can travel to the funeral. When someone seems about to die their family will come to their bedside and say Sukhmani (the Hymn of Peace). The dying person tries to reply Waheguru. The dead body is washed and then dressed in traditional Sikh clothing. The coffin is taken to the Gurdwara (Sikh place of worship) and placed in front of the Guru Granth Sahib. The coffin is then carried to the cremation ground. In India it is placed on a funeral pyre which is lit by a close relative. As the coffin burns the evening prayer the Kirtan Sohila is said: God has determined the time for my nuptials; come pour the oil of joy at my door. Bless me, my friends, that I find that sweet union, dwelling as one with my Master and Lord. All must receive their last call from the Master; daily he summons those souls who must go. Hold in remembrance the Lord who will summon you; soon you will hear his command. Kirtan Sohila 7-8 This shows the belief that death is just a short sleep before rebirth and that everyone must remember Waheguru in the hope of escaping rebirth and reaching mukti (ultimate liberation from reincarnation). Afterwards, in the Gurdwara, the Anand Sahib (prayer) is sung, and the Ardas (prayer) is said. The ceremony ends with karah parshad (offering of food blessed by the guru). For the next ten days many families stay at home and read all of the Guru Granth Sahib. Sometimes an Akhand path (complete reading of the Guru Granth Sahib) takes place in the gurdwara after a funeral.
A Humanist funeral service. Starter: Why do people find the belief in afterlife comforting? Is it scary to think that there is no afterlife?
Humanist funerals will show respect for the dead person focusing on their special and unique qualities and the life they led. There will not be any suggestion of them going to a better place. Humanist Funerals
Key humanist attitudes towards death Death is the end of individual existence Funerals can celebrate a life that has been lived as well as acknowledge sadness at saying goodbye Funerals are an occasion for the living- there might be poems, music, candles, quiet reflection but nothing linked to religion or the idea of heaven The absence of an afterlife makes this life more meaningful and means we need to make the most of the one life we have We can live on after we die through our atoms, genes, works, shared ideas and experiences.
Funeral rites are more for the living than the dead Reasons to agree with the statement. Remember to include religious (Christian and Sikh) and humanist views. Reasons to disagree with the statement. Remember to include religious (Christian and Sikh) and humanist views.