Geesh...Religion..

[Armistead]

Originally Posted by CaptainHaplo

Having presided over a few of these and thus having had to deal with the "politics" of differing family desires, let me offer a suggestion if possible..

It is something very common around here. 2 services. One at either the church or funeral home chapel, the other graveside. If everyone is ok with 2 services - then the JW's can have one and the family can have one. The deceased's wishes are honored, and the family has a service that they can celebrate the life and memory of the deceased as well.

One other option is multiple services "indoors" as well.

My wife actually floated that idea and it almost worked. I think the oldest sister that is atheist dealt with a harder JW church, because the grandfather still ran it, by the time my wife was around 8 he died. The older sister states how badly the church treated her as a teen. She is not only an atheist, but truly hates any and all religion and faith. Anyway, my wife got the JW church to agree to do a small service for her mom next church, when her sister found out, she called the JW pastor and said she would be there and it had to be so and so. Anyway, the pastor told her they simply wouldn't hold any service. My wife called him and he did say that they would honor her in time and he would see the father next week and talk to him.

Anyway, the father too old and weak to fight the two sisters that are bound to have it their way and put on a big show for everyone. Lets hope it all runs smoothly for his sake....