Secular Funeral Services

By: Matthew Funeral Home
Monday, January 9, 2023

Many modern funeral rites are steeped in the cultural and religious traditions of their ancestors. But, there is a growing population of secular or atheist people in America. Because of this, a funerary service for a secular individual may be different from what you might expect going into the service. 

A Tribute to Their Life

Since atheists do not believe in a god or the afterlife, there is much more of an emphasis on the life of the deceased. Eulogies are focused on fond memories, and loved ones the deceased left behind. These tributes are done with respect, without using religious phrasing or references to gods or the afterlife. While there are no religious rites given, someone may read a poem or a favorite quote. 

Avoid Platitudes about the Afterlife

Words of comfort at a funeral are often centered around niceties such as “he’s in a better place.” Because secular individuals do not believe in the afterlife, such platitudes should be avoided. While they will probably be taken as intended, it is best to not use such terms. Instead, phrases like “they will be missed” is a safer phrase to go with.

Final Goodbyes

Like most funerals, secular services are held so that friends and family can mourn together, and receive closure about the loss of a loved one. Where some religious services focus on the afterlife and passing on to a better place, atheist services serve as a way for families to come together and appreciate the life that the deceased lived. 

Additional Services

Families of the deceased may prepare memorial services or a repast after the burial services. Generally, this depends on the cultural traditions of the family. During this time of loss, it is best to show support to the family of the deceased through memorial charitable donations, flower arrangements, or meal preparation. 

For over 50 years, Matthew Funeral Home has been serving the Staten Island community. We can help with almost every aspect of your loved one’s memorial service. Our family is here to serve yours, every step of the way.
 

Leave a comment
Name*:
Email:
Comment*:
Please enter the numbers and letters you see in the image. Note that the case of the letters entered matters.
Refresh
Audio

Comments

Please wait

Previous Posts

Memorial Services for Veterans

As Veteran’s Day approaches, we wanted to share information on veteran memorial services and funerals. A big part of planning a funeral for veterans or servicemembers is the memorialization of thei...

Choosing a Casket for Your Loved One

Choosing a casket is an important part of the funeral process. Many families choose the casket after their loved one has passed, but some people choose their casket ahead of time. This article will...

Grief and Tragic Backstories in Media

From superheroes to romantic comedies, many movies and TV shows rely on tragedy to help us connect or sympathize with characters. Grief of some form, or a tragic past leads a character on a path. E...

Alcohol Use and Coping with Grief

While in grief, many people turn to things that can comfort or distract them. It is not uncommon for some people to reach for alcohol in this way. For many people, alcohol can serve as a way to avo...

Apathy and Grief

On this blog, we often talk about how grief is a complicated emotion, and how everyone experiences it differently. However, we don’t often talk about grief and apathy. Apathy is a state of numbness...

Etiquette for Donating In a Loved One's Name

Some individuals or their families request donations to charity in place of flowers during the bereavement period. Most families will appreciate the donation in their loved one’s name. Especially i...

Grief and Losing Online Friends

In our technology-based world, more and more people have developed friendships completely in cyberspace. Consistent communication with gaming partners, online community members, and more allows us ...

Sending Sympathy Meals to a Loved One

When a friend or family member passes away, it is a common practice to send sympathy meals to the immediate family. Sympathy meals show your support for the family while providing them with food. W...

Validating Feelings of Grief

Grief is one of the most complex and misunderstood emotions for people to experience. One way to help your loved one cope with their grief is to validate their feelings. Supporting a loved one who ...

When a Loved One Receives a Terminal Diagnosis

When a loved one finds out that they have a terminal illness, it can be overwhelming to navigate the next steps. It can be difficult to know where to start. Preparations for care, end-of-life servi...