Question about memorial services

[Lisa66]

Any suggestions on going about planning a memorial for a person who is not religious? My dad is terminally ill and I would like to be able to plan something that honors him for all the people left behind. I don't know where to begin.

It's not a matter of the type of subject matter to be presented; I think I can deal with that. It's just that every other similar gathering I've been to was officiated or led by a priest, pastor, funeral director, etc. He is donating his body to a med school and says he wants nothing. However, he has many friends and other people need to grieve....

How would I go about finding someone in his city that could help me or make suggestions? Have any of you planned or attended a Humanist or other similar gathering like this?

I'd be grateful for any info or suggestions at all. Thanks!

 

[skydvejam]

That is a hard subject, our thoughts are that we are dead, and that is about it. Whatever you decide to do for his body will be for you and the rest of the people that are still alive, do as you please since it really will not mater.

 

[Lisa66]

Thank you - this is pretty much what we were thinking. We just knew that if we didn't do something for everybody else that there would be a lot of questions. I appreciate your answer.

 

[skydvejam]

Not a problem I tell my family to hack me up and feed me to the wolves, doubt that will happen but it is the extent.

 

[echofinder]

Ask people who are close to him to prepare short speeches or statements. Perhaps make a 'memorial book' of some kind with photos and letters and things like that... maybe tell people they can write final farewell notes to him or something and collect those in the book. A religious figure is really just offering 'closing words' on a person's life, anyone can do that... you or someone close to him would likely do it better than a priest anyway. Just a thought.

 

[PosingOwl]

Any suggestions on going about planning a memorial for a person who is not religious? My dad is terminally ill and I would like to be able to plan something that honors him for all the people left behind. I don't know where to begin.

It's not a matter of the type of subject matter to be presented; I think I can deal with that. It's just that every other similar gathering I've been to was officiated or led by a priest, pastor, funeral director, etc. He is donating his body to a med school and says he wants nothing. However, he has many friends and other people need to grieve....

How would I go about finding someone in his city that could help me or make suggestions? Have any of you planned or attended a Humanist or other similar gathering like this?

I'd be grateful for any info or suggestions at all. Thanks!

I am not a religious person at all, but when I die I hope that my family will do whatever will help them to grieve. If it means having a religious funeral/burial I am fine with that. If you are not religious then just have a ceremony celebrating his accomplishments in life, there are many ways to have funerals. Best of luck to you.

 

[Off Topic]

I want everyone to throw a party. I want everyone to get good and drunk and tell stories of all the things I've done, good and bad. I'd rather have my funeral in a bar than a church.

Life is for the living.

 

[ScottinSoCal]

I've always just wanted them to dump my body out under a tree and let the animals have it. It won't happen, but that's what I'd prefer. My family would need something religious, and since I'll be gone it won't matter to me. They can do whatever makes them feel best.

 

[Lisa66]

Thanks to all of you and I appreciate the input. I'm still "pre-planning" and we've decided to have a wake since he's always enjoyed a good beer... and are incorporating something similar to the "memorial book" (thanks echofinder). Although, he would prefer something like ScottinSoCal's preferences.....