Funeral Question

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Matthew_Holford

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A friend of mine has died. He was a Jehovah’s Witness. His family have asked me to attend his funeral. This will be a Jehovah’s Witness funeral held in a Jehovah’s Witness’ Kingdom Hall. I will only be a member of the congregation. I will not be doing anything such as a reading. What would the Church’s official view be on me attending a Jehovah’s Witness funeral?
 
That you pray for his eternal soul. He is going to need your prayers.

~Liza
 
You’re free to attend. Just don’t receive communion (if they even do that).
 
I don’t know that the Church has an “official” position. My personal opinion is that it would not be sinful for you to attend the funeral to pay respects for your friend. Of course, you don’t partake in any sort of communion service (I don’t know whether JWs do that anyway) nor recite any creeds or prayers that contradict the Catholic faith. But simply to attend and pray for your friend would be fine.
 
I don’t know that the Church has an “official” position. My personal opinion is that it would not be sinful for you to attend the funeral to pay respects for your friend. Of course, you don’t partake in any sort of communion service (I don’t know whether JWs do that anyway) nor recite any creeds or prayers that contradict the Catholic faith. But simply to attend and pray for your friend would be fine.
I understand not to take communion. I think they only do communion once per year. They do this on the anniversary of the Lord’s death which they calculate is some strange way. For example, in 2010 they had it on the Tuesday in Holy Week. Only those who have the “sign” who are going to heaven are to partake, so no one does in most Kingdom Halls. So, even though I wouldn’t receive their “communion” I don’t think they’d want me to anyway.

I don’t know about things that happen at a Jehovah’s Witness funeral. I certainly wouldn’t pray or saying anything contrary to Catholic belief.
 
I don’t know about things that happen at a Jehovah’s Witness funeral. I certainly wouldn’t pray or saying anything contrary to Catholic belief.
Then you should be fine. Your friend and his family need your prayers.
 
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