What is an atheist funeral/celebration of life like?

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Funerals are upsetting no matter whom you are...regardless of religious preference. One of the reasons why religion has flourished is that it offers people a feeling of hope. It helps ease people's minds during times of despair. Now, don't take this as an argument in favor of religion; there is plenty of hope in the absence of religion...hope for a better future based on the actions we make now, hope for a person's impact on a "dark" world. As a result, in funerals, don't focus on the sermon part. Instead, celebrate the person's life...his or her accomplishments, impact on your life and the lives of others. I think that is more satisfying, as it makes it easier to continuing living life to the fullest and work toward a brighter future, and make an difference in the real world, where it matters most....Show more

In our clan we tend not to accept a lot of preaching but at the more religious funerals they do like to read their verses.
I suppose it does give them some comfort.

I disagree about funerals being for the dead.
The dead are not there, all that is in the box is a dead carcass that has to be got rid of before it starts to smell bad.

Funerals are for the living and our family has always been pretty ambivalent about religion, we tolerate it among our relatives but we don't believe it.
The result is that most of our funerals turn into an excuse for all the relatives to get together.
We tend to retell the old stories about things the dead did when they were alive. Some humorous, some not so much.
We also spend time introducing all the kids to each other and then let them run around playing.
Fancy clothes on kids are only for the funeral service itself and we only do the service for the more religious mourners.
Like I said, it seems to give them some comfort.

The somewhat religious funeral service also gives a sort of official seal to the whole affair and it is as easy to follow as any other protocol.

Weddings are similar but we dress louder, party harder and drink more....Show more

Depends on the funeral. But an atheist funeral could be just the same as a Christian one without the religious stuff...

For the most part a funeral is more for the living than the dead...

I'd prefer a wake......Show more

" thought it was for the dead person! Why is the preacher/pastor trying to convert/"save" me!?"

Funerals are for the living.

lol and you went to a Christian Church funeral what did you expect?...Show more

“Why is the preacher/pastor trying to...”

I'll stop you there, cos that's the problem. Visit a Church in England and listen to what happens from a priest. It won't be anything like what you've experienced in the past. (USA?)

It's not so much the religion, more the attitudes and exorcising of the faith in different cultures.

I've been to plenty of Christian funerals that have centred heavily on the person, and void of any opportunity to preach....Show more