Search Results for: Funeral Customs (102 Found)

Members of the Salvation Army refer to death as a “promotion to glory” for fellow Christians. They believe that although the physical body dies, the spirit or soul of a Christian continues living in another dimension with God called heaven or “glory.” Because of these beliefs, Salvation Army funerals are characterized by sadness and grief but have underpinnings of hope and joy.

Moravian funerals are similar to many other Christian traditions in that they are characterized by both grief and joy. Members of this faith grieve the loss of loved ones, but they believe that through salvation eternity is ever hopeful. Moravian believers are often heard saying that the deceased has “entered into the immediate presence of the Savior.” This is an indication of their belief that life and death are both blessings.

The Mennonites are Christians who share a belief system very similar to that of other Protestants, with some exceptions: they are widely known for their pacifism, their commitment to the separation of church and state, and their refusal to take an oath of any kind.

The Church of God in Christ is part of the Pentecostal or holiness denominations in the Christian religion. In some cases a funeral service may be delayed several days in order for family members and close friends to travel if they live far away. The immediate family members as well as the extended family members of the deceased usually gather together in the home.

Because Ásatrú (meaning “belief in the Gods”) is an ancestral polytheistic religion focused on deeds, the religion’s funeral customs involve remembering the deeds of the deceased and retelling fond memories. Followers do not fear death, because they do not believe in a painful or torturous afterlife. When a loved one passes, they are believed to enter a place of joy, rest, and healing.

Native American traditions follow the belief and practice that the natural world is truly sacred. Many religious ceremonies are specifically tied to a specific location, and to harm that place would be contrary to Native American beliefs. Because of this, Native American funeral practices have always been eco-friendly. What are rituals are specific to Native Americans?

A Scientology funeral is led by a Scientology minister who may lead with any number of different Scientology funeral ceremonies which typically include special readings from founder Ron. L. Hubbard. The funeral service might be said over the remains of the deceased or at a memorial without the physical remains present. The service is usually held in a Scientology chapel.