As I Catholic I'd note this varies from parish to parish. Some priests are thoughtful and will accomodate reasonable requests, others are miserly grumps and control freaks.

It really comes down to common sense and common sensitivity.

Yes, Mahons just like the use of condoms to prevent unwanted pregnancies and the spread of aids. These 'freaky' old men are a pain in the ass - no pun intended!

I have no problem with condoms Maggie, even if the Church does (I haven't heard a priest mention them in twenty five years and suspect most are not that worried about them. They certainly are readily avialable).

However, the thread deal with funerals. Perhaps the idea of what to do with a stiff jogged your memory.

I have tremendous sympathy with families who came to understand that DIY rituals were the norm. That was the fault of the church in the long liturgical nightmare that followed Vatican II.

But I'm with the diocese. The practice of people who don't darken the door of a church from one end of the year to another turning a relatives funeral into an undignified secular free-for all had to be stopped.

You don't have to be buried by the Church but if you are then you have to understand that there are rules. The silent majority of Mass attenders are happy to see dignity restored.

"Perhaps the idea of what to do with a stiff jogged your memory"

Brilliant Mahons! Best pun of the day.

Stiff what Mahons...drink and I am sure you don't have a problem with condoms, they went out with the ark I believe. The Pope, you know the man in charge does though, no birth control is one of the fundamentals of his beliefs is it not?

Come on Maggie, you gotta admit that was a good one from Mahons.

I managed a snicker while I rearraned m lips int stiff upper lips. this miht be rap have hst tajeb skeeoubg oukk,,,,takj i gi tiirii

Henry,

"You don't have to be buried by the Church but if you are then you have to understand that there are rules."

It's not really as simple as that any more. There are workable compromises that don't upset anyone.

At my father's funeral we had a couple of Biblical readings and one secular one. There were some songs/hymns sung, I have no idea if they were against the rules. As my dad was an actor, there was also a round of applause as the coffin left (a very odd thing to experience if you're not aware of it in advance). Nobody there from the hyper religious to the atheists present had any problem with any of this. Indeed the priest was very concerned that I was happy with how it was as (to use my sister's phrase) he knew that I did not 'belong to his gang'.

Afterwards there was the cremation and that was more secular although the priest said a few words as well. I chose the music for that and I made it as ambiguous as I could to suit everyone.

I managed a snicker...

You mean you managed to chomp on a chocolate bar while laughing at Mahons 'stiffie' ?

Maggie: I am not sure where the Pope places rubbers in the hierarchy of his concerns, certainly having choosen celibacy he's not need of his share of them. I suppose there is an argument against birth control that would be consistent with the Church's position regarding life that it is hard for them to abandon from a philosophical standpoint. I don't happen to buy into that argument or see it as fundamental, but I don't begrudge those who might. But this thread again involves how we go, not how we come if you'll excuse the vulgarity, and I think we should return to the main topic.

I want Amazing Grace and "I'll be On My Way" by the Sawdoctors at my last rites.

Mahons

With vulgarity of that quality Mahons, I say keep em coming..

I support the Diocese in this one.
The deceased may well have asked for their favourite music track from The Grateful Dead, as their dying wish, and mourners would have to listen to "Hell in a Bucket".

No, it's the thin end of the wedge.

Some of the tacky tunes mourners are forced to endure at funerals makes you envy the blissfully unaware coffin dweller.

"I managed a snicker while I rearraned m lips int stiff upper lips. this miht be rap have hst tajeb skeeoubg oukk,,,,takj i gi tiirii"

I didn't write the above and have no idea what wally did... and yes I did think that Mahons commnt was funny.