Can anyone answer this Jehovah's Witness question?

[NJoy]

Do they have funerals and are Christian's able to attend? I ask because my aunt and uncle are JW and my aunt is in grave condition. They're out of state and I'm wondering if I should be planning to travel. I can't ask the family because of the sensitive nature of the situation.

I know they don't attend Christian funerals (my uncle didn't attend his own mother's funeral). But what about the other way around?

TIA

 

[january noir]

I believe you will be able to attend a JW service. From my experience the only funerals I knew about for JWs were held in funeral homes and not in the Hall.

My cousin and a few extended family members are Witnesses.

 

[jamaicasmodona]

My MIL is JW and from my understanding, they will attend a funeral as long as it is not in held in a church. If it is in a funeral hall or kingdom hall they will attend, but they will not step foot in a church. Not for a funeral, wedding, etc.

"Regular" Christians can attend JW funerals like normal.

 

[HWAY]

Funerals are held in kingdom hall regularly. Your family members will appreciate you attending the funeral.

 

[NJoy]

Thanks for the feedback, ladies. I'm hoping there won't be a need but am preparing financially in case i have to travel.

 

[Miss Kane]

Just wanted to add... Not all JW hold the belief of not entering into a church. My inlaws are JW and they do attend funerals at churches.

 

[MzRhonda]

My MIL is JW and from my understanding, they will attend a funeral as long as it is not in held in a church. If it is in a funeral hall or kingdom hall they will attend, but they will not step foot in a church. Not for a funeral, wedding, etc.

"Regular" Christians can attend JW funerals like normal.

Not to be funny but what do they think will happen to them if they step foot in a church?

 

[bludaydreamr]

Not to be funny but what do they think will happen to them if they step foot in a church?

They believe differently from other Christians about death, and would rather not sit through a preacher or pastors service.
ETA: OP, I don't see any reason why you wouldn't be unable to attend, there may be a funeral talk at the hall as well as a service at the funeral hall.
A coworker of mine was killed in a car accident a few years ago, and almost everyone from my job went.

 

[NJoy]

Yeah. The family has been called in. She's not gonna make it. I guess I'll find out soon enough. Thanks got all replies. I'm prepared to travel.

 

[Foxglove]

((hugs)) OP

 

[divya]

Very sorry to hear. May God be with your family.

They believe differently from other Christians about death, and would rather not sit through a preacher or pastors service.
ETA: OP, I don't see any reason why you wouldn't be unable to attend, there may be a funeral talk at the hall as well as a service at the funeral hall.
A coworker of mine was killed in a car accident a few years ago, and almost everyone from my job went.

Yes, they believe differently from the majority of other Christians regarding the state of the dead, that the body waits in the grave until the second coming of Christ, as stated in 1 Thessalonians 4:4-18. There are a few others who believe similarly, namely Seventh Day Adventists as well as some independent churches. Other Christians would teach that people are in heaven or hell and so they likely prefer not to hear such teachings or be present for any other rituals that are believed to be non-Scriptural.

 

[bludaydreamr]

Very sorry to hear. May God be with your family.



Yes, they believe differently from the majority of other Christians regarding the state of the dead, that the body waits in the grave until the second coming of Christ, as stated in 1 Thessalonians 4:4-18. There are a few others who believe similarly, namely Seventh Day Adventists as well as some independent churches. Other Christians would teach that people are in heaven or hell and so they likely prefer not to hear such teachings or be present for any other rituals that are believed to be non-Scriptural.

Thank you for explaining more thoroughly then I did; my mother is a witness, and I grew up as one.

 

[MzRhonda]

OP

 

[NJoy]

Ok, so I won't be going. And it's a hot mess.

Apparently, my JW cousin decided to have her mom cremated and they'll be having a memorial service this saturday. Funny thing is, she's hush hush with everyone who's not JW. She even prevented her brothers (the ones who are not JW) from seeing her mom's body before cremation. As a matter of fact, he found out an hour before they cremated her and then couldn't get in because my cousin (the executor) had already left. (Dirty!) Nor did any of the rest of the family (well, at least us non-JW folks) know that she was even being cremated, let alone that it's done already.

'course, this is the version that I heard. Who knows how much of it's been altered to spare our feelings.

Needless to say, I'm not carrying my broken heart up only to be caught up in some mess. I feel so sorry for the brothers that are being treated like outsiders in their own family. Wow.

Thanks for the feedback and loving sentiments, ladies. It's probably for the best. The thought of it all has caused the pain on my mom's death last year to resurface with a vengeance. It's a convenient out for me but, I still feel a little robbed. I don't know if that's JW or just ig'nant woman but, I'm trying not to judge a broken heart. (I'm gonna need a lil help with that one, Lord. ). I truly only thought this kind of thing only happens on tv. SO naive.

RIP Auntie.

 

[GodsPromises]

Me too........

Thank you for explaining more thoroughly then I did; my mother is a witness, and I grew up as one.

 

[MSee]

So sorry to hear NJoy. death is painful enough without the drama. Frankly I think you have taken it quite well and are being balanced. People in pain may do strange things depending on their personality and sometimes they they take it out on others in strange ways.

Heavenly Father, have mercy on NJoy and their family as they go through this dificult season. Touch her and comfort her as she still feels the pain of the loss of her mother. Bring healing and strength in the moments when it seems unbearable. In Jesus name.

 

[HairNinja]

Ok, so I won't be going. And it's a hot mess.

Apparently, my JW cousin decided to have her mom cremated and they'll be having a memorial service this saturday. Funny thing is, she's hush hush with everyone who's not JW. She even prevented her brothers (the ones who are not JW) from seeing her mom's body before cremation. As a matter of fact, he found out an hour before they cremated her and then couldn't get in because my cousin (the executor) had already left. (Dirty!) Nor did any of the rest of the family (well, at least us non-JW folks) know that she was even being cremated, let alone that it's done already.

'course, this is the version that I heard. Who knows how much of it's been altered to spare our feelings.

Needless to say, I'm not carrying my broken heart up only to be caught up in some mess. I feel so sorry for the brothers that are being treated like outsiders in their own family. Wow.

Thanks for the feedback and loving sentiments, ladies. It's probably for the best. The thought of it all has caused the pain on my mom's death last year to resurface with a vengeance. It's a convenient out for me but, I still feel a little robbed. I don't know if that's JW or just ig'nant woman but, I'm trying not to judge a broken heart. (I'm gonna need a lil help with that one, Lord. ). I truly only thought this kind of thing only happens on tv. SO naive.

RIP Auntie.

Sorry your aunt's funeral turned out like that. Please be assured this is not how Jehovah's Witnesses operate. I have attended several funerals where someone was cremnated but there was also a viewing. It looks like whatever hppened was by personal choice and not by organizational procedures. I don't know why the family chose that route.

Sometimes other family members cause conflict by trying to take over funeral arrangements against the deseased beliefs and instructions. But to not let them view the body is a little extreme.

I know this is a hard time for you. Please be assured this is not the norm.

 

[NJoy]

Sorry your aunt's funeral turned out like that. Please be assured this is not how Jehovah's Witnesses operate. I have attended several funerals where someone was cremnated but there was also a viewing. It looks like whatever hppened was by personal choice and not by organizational procedures. I don't know why the family chose that route.

Sometimes other family members cause conflict by trying to take over funeral arrangements against the deseased beliefs and instructions. But to not let them view the body is a little extreme.

I know this is a hard time for you. Please be assured this is not the norm.

Thanks for the insight. I sorta knew it was just her being a controlling boob. What she did to her brothers was inexcusable. She can't take it back and will have to live with that decision. Because of that, i feel very sorry for her. Besides, she just lost her mom too so...