Church Control, even in death.

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

I did not want to derail another thread about “Funerals”, so I am creating a new one to explore the idea, of how some Faith’s even use funerals to keep their followers, “following”, for lack of a better term. 
 

Be it “Christian Burials”, for those who are Catholic, and the denial of such “services”, depending of certain sins.

Church only cemeteries, where graves are assigned, but only if you remain a member, in good standing or otherwise.

Jewish services based on belonging to certain congregations, like the many we have in the Atlanta area. 
 

I am sure I cannot think of all the permutations (if that is an appropriate term), but wish to explore these practices. Although our Church may have minor conditions, we don’t have many things, and even those who commit suicide can still have a Chapel ceremony, families can still preform Priesthood functions, without Bishop or Church approval, other than permission to use a chapel. We don’t have many, if any Church owned Cemeteries”, or other such issues, or am I wrong? 
 

Can we “respectfully explore” different types of funeral practices, because beyond our Faith, or the one I grew up in, I only know little of peripheral issues, or some at least of other Faiths. However there are enough converts and scholars here on this site, to know them all. I am also fascinated by these issues. My wife is at the funeral of a long time friend right now, who was LDS, but her husband died long ago, and she has be in a nursing home with Alzheimer’s for so years, and her children strayed decades ago from our Faith. As a result, I don’t even know if they bothered to have her dressed in her Temple Clothing, or involve the Church, in any way. I know she is not having the funeral at any LDS Chapel, but little more until my wife makes it back home. 
 

I know we have some unique traditions, have they remained the same since the beginning, or have they evolved, or devolved from the past century? 

[The Nehor]

I know a 19th century Anglican situation where someone could not be buried in a church cemetary that many, including the local church leadership, thought was unjust but required by the rules of the faith. They buried the person right beyond the edge of the church’s cemetary and the day afterwards extended the border of the cemetary.

As to people not following burial procedures this is more traditional and for the living than it is for the dead. As Brigham Young said:

“We are here in circumstances to bury our dead according to the order of the Priesthood. But some of our brethren die upon the ocean; they cannot be buried in a burying ground, but they are sewed up in canvas and cast into the sea, and perhaps in two minutes after they are in the bowels of the shark, yet those persons will come forth in the resurrection, and receive all the glory of which they are worthy, and be clothed upon with all the beauty of resurrected Saints, as much so as if they had been laid away in a gold or silver coffin, and in a place expressly for the burying the dead.”

[smac97]

On 1/4/2020 at 9:46 AM, Bill “Papa” Lee said:

I did not want to derail another thread about “Funerals”, so I am creating a new one to explore the idea, of how some Faith’s even use funerals to keep their followers, “following”, for lack of a better term.

The Church authorizes its representatives (bishops) to officiate in funeral services held in the Church's buildings.  There is no charge for use of the building, or for the bishop's time.  Moreover, the family is free to manage its own service elsewhere (private land, funeral home, etc.).

That doesn't sound much like "control" to me.

Quote

Be it “Christian Burials”, for those who are Catholic, and the denial of such “services”, depending of certain sins.

Church only cemeteries, where graves are assigned, but only if you remain a member, in good standing or otherwise.

Jewish services based on belonging to certain congregations, like the many we have in the Atlanta area. 

I am sure I cannot think of all the permutations (if that is an appropriate term), but wish to explore these practices. Although our Church may have minor conditions, we don’t have many things, and even those who commit suicide can still have a Chapel ceremony, families can still preform Priesthood functions, without Bishop or Church approval, other than permission to use a chapel. We don’t have many, if any Church owned Cemeteries”, or other such issues, or am I wrong?

I don't think the Church owns and functioning cemeteries.

Quote

Can we “respectfully explore” different types of funeral practices, because beyond our Faith, or the one I grew up in, I only know little of peripheral issues, or some at least of other Faiths. However there are enough converts and scholars here on this site, to know them all. I am also fascinated by these issues. My wife is at the funeral of a long time friend right now, who was LDS, but her husband died long ago, and she has be in a nursing home with Alzheimer’s for so years, and her children strayed decades ago from our Faith. As a result, I don’t even know if they bothered to have her dressed in her Temple Clothing, or involve the Church, in any way.

This would, I think, be done at the request of the individual (prior to demise).  Or by family members in some circumstances.

We had a dear friend pass away unexpectedly a few years ago of a heart attack.  She had not attended Church for years, but had maintained her faith nonetheless.  None of her children were active.  However, when she was transported to the hospital, the family called our bishop and asked him to minister to her in the hospital (he did).  After she passed, the family asked for the ward to help in the funeral services.  The bishop clarified that they wanted the service to be at the Church, and explained what that entailed (that it would be a church-administered service).  The family agreed.  The ward (bishop, RS president, friends of the deceased) worked with the family to find a funeral home to help with the remains, helped with finding a burial plot at the cemetery, scheduling the services and the graveside service, etc.  The family picked the speakers, with the understanding that the bishop would be the concluding speaker (he was a family friend).  The funeral went off pretty much without a hitch.  The deceased was dressed in her temple clothes (with the consent of the family).  Several familly members spoke.  The family members reminisced about her.  The bishop did the same, and also spoke about her belief in God, the resurrection, and so on.  It was a nice service overall.  The bishop then traveled to the cemetery and officiated there as well.  No family member wanted to be in charge, so he sort of organized things.  Family members were invited to share their thoughts.  The bishop then dedicated the grave.  That was it.

The Church and its members helped, but did so at the request of the family (who, in turn, were motivated to do what "Mom would have wanted").

Quote

I know she is not having the funeral at any LDS Chapel, but little more until my wife makes it back home. 

I know we have some unique traditions, have they remained the same since the beginning, or have they evolved, or devolved from the past century? 

That's a fair question. 

Conducting the funeral as a religious service is not unique to us.  The funeral can be in a church building (in which case the services are directed by the bishop), or in a funeral home (the family would be in charge, though they could ask the bishop to participate).  Or there could be a graveside service (again, the family would run the show).

Dedication of graves goes back a long way, and is certainly not an idea exclusive to the Church.  However, it is considered an ordinance performed by authority of the priesthood.

The dressing of an endowed member in temple clothes is fairly unique.  See here:

Quote

If the deceased received his or her temple endowment (Church initiation in the form of instruction, ordinances, and covenants), he or she will be buried in temple garments (Church-issued white underwear) and temple clothing. For women, temple clothing includes a long-sleeved, floor-length white dress (or blouse and skirt), white stockings, and white shoes. For men, temple clothing includes a white long-sleeved shirt, white pants, a white tie, and white socks and shoes. The temple clothing may be the deceased’s own—there is no need to purchase new temple clothing for burial. If the deceased’s body is too fragile to be dressed, the temple clothing may be placed inside the casket next to the body. The deceased should be dressed in his or her temple clothing by an endowed family member of the same gender. If an endowed family member of the same gender is not available, a bishop may assign an endowed man to dress a deceased man or have the Relief Society (Church women’s organization) assign an endowed woman to dress a deceased woman. If, by law, only a registered funeral director is allowed to handle the body, an endowed family member should ensure that the body has been properly dressed.

The Church recently changed the policy re: veiling the face of a deceased sister.  See here.

The Church does not encourage, but also does not prohibit, cremation.

Organ donation is fine.

Funerals are pretty much never on a Sunday.

The bishop cannot receive any remuneration for anything he does.

Pallbearers are fairly standard, but they usually have a minimal role.  Caskets are heavy these days, so the funeral home usually provides a wheeled gurney, and the pallbearers only help with getting the casket into the hearse and, at the cemetery, out of the hearse and to the grave site.

There is no prescribed "mourning" period or clothing for the family members and friends.

A viewing is fairly standard.  They are solemn, though.

Recording the service is generally not allowed.

The ward usually hosts a reception/luncheon for family members and invited friends.  It is usually held in the Church building.  Ward members provide and prepare the food and arrangements, and family helps out.  This tends to be a less formal matter.  A prayer is offered at the beginning, but otherwise people are free to talk amongst themselves, reminisce, etc.

Broadly speaking, solemnity, sanctity, reserve and decorum are the orders of the day.  

This article is quite good (I learned a few things from it, though I don't know how authoritative it is).

Thanks,

-Smac

 

Edited January 6, 2020 by smac97

[Scott Lloyd]

9 hours ago, smac97 said:

The Church authorizes its representatives (bishops) to officiate in funeral services held in the Church's buildings.  There is no charge for use of the building, or for the bishop's time.  Moreover, the family is free to manage its own service elsewhere (private land, funeral home, etc.).

That doesn't sound much like "control" to me.

I don't think the Church owns and functioning cemeteries.

This would, I think, be done at the request of the individual (prior to demise).  Or by family members in some circumstances.

We had a dear friend pass away unexpectedly a few years ago of a heart attack.  She had not attended Church for years, but had maintained her faith nonetheless.  None of her children were active.  However, when she was transported to the hospital, the family called our bishop and asked him to minister to her in the hospital (he did).  After she passed, the family asked for the ward to help in the funeral services.  The bishop clarified that they wanted the service to be at the Church, and explained what that entailed (that it would be a church-administered service).  The family agreed.  The ward (bishop, RS president, friends of the deceased) worked with the family to find a funeral home to help with the remains, helped with finding a burial plot at the cemetery, scheduling the services and the graveside service, etc.  The family picked the speakers, with the understanding that the bishop would be the concluding speaker (he was a family friend).  The funeral went off pretty much without a hitch.  The deceased was dressed in her temple clothes (with the consent of the family).  Several familly members spoke.  The family members reminisced about her.  The bishop did the same, and also spoke about her belief in God, the resurrection, and so on.  It was a nice service overall.  The bishop then traveled to the cemetery and officiated there as well.  No family member wanted to be in charge, so he sort of organized things.  Family members were invited to share their thoughts.  The bishop then dedicated the grave.  That was it.

The Church and its members helped, but did so at the request of the family (who, in turn, were motivated to do what "Mom would have wanted").

That's a fair question. 

Conducting the funeral as a religious service is not unique to us.  The funeral can be in a church building (in which case the services are directed by the bishop), or in a funeral home (the family would be in charge, though they could ask the bishop to participate).  Or there could be a graveside service (again, the family would run the show).

Dedication of graves goes back a long way, and is certainly not an idea exclusive to the Church.  However, it is considered an ordinance performed by authority of the priesthood.

The dressing of an endowed member in temple clothes is fairly unique.  See here:

The Church recently changed the policy re: veiling the face of a deceased sister.  See here.

The Church does not encourage, but also does not prohibit, cremation.

Organ donation is fine.

Funerals are pretty much never on a Sunday.

The bishop cannot receive any remuneration for anything he does.

Pallbearers are fairly standard, but they usually have a minimal role.  Caskets are heavy these days, so the funeral home usually provides a wheeled gurney, and the pallbearers only help with getting the casket into the hearse and, at the cemetery, out of the hearse and to the grave site.

There is no prescribed "mourning" period or clothing for the family members and friends.

A viewing is fairly standard.  They are solemn, though.

Recording the service is generally not allowed.

The ward usually hosts a reception/luncheon for family members and invited friends.  It is usually held in the Church building.  Ward members provide and prepare the food and arrangements, and family helps out.  This tends to be a less formal matter.  A prayer is offered at the beginning, but otherwise people are free to talk amongst themselves, reminisce, etc.

Broadly speaking, solemnity, sanctity, reserve and decorum are the orders of the day.  

This article is quite good (I learned a few things from it, though I don't know how authoritative it is).

Thanks,

-Smac

 

Regarding recording of the service not being allowed, do you include in that statement audio-recording? 
 

I ask, because it is becoming fairly common where I live for the funeral home to audio-record the funeral and then post the digital recording online with the obituary, comments from well-wishers, etc. 

I’m aware of at least two recent funerals where that has been done, both of them conducted by Latter-day Saint bishops and  presumably in chapels of Latter-day Saint meetinghouses. 
 

Furthermore, at my dad’s funeral years ago, his ward audio-recorded the program and furnished the tape recording to us as a standard service. 

Edited January 7, 2020 by Scott Lloyd