Interfaith Funerals

By: Matthew Funeral Home
Monday, July 30, 2018


New York is a melting pot of different cultures, backgrounds, and religions. Because of the blending of unique cultures, some people opt to go with an interfaith ceremony. This common with people with more than one religious or cultural background from their parents, or those who have changed faiths, but still want to respect the wishes of their family. Interfaith funerals take parts from different religions to create a ceremony that is both spiritually enriching while not being specific in scripture. Interfaith ceremonies are sometimes also referred to as adaptive ceremonies, because they vary from person to person; and are often more personalized to suit the departed.

Multiple Faiths

When a loved one with more than one religious background passes; it is common for the family to have a funeral ceremony that reflects the rites and wishes of both faiths, as best as possible. During interfaith ceremonies, commonalities in the religions, such as candle burning or floral arrangements, are highlighted. Most religious groups have a large family meal or banquet after the funeral services; so this is also common when the religions of your loved one both have that as a custom. 
Eulogies may include different customs based on the different faiths. Prayers from one or more of the religions can be presented. Non-denominational prayers may also be read out. Hymns and songs may be played or sung. Depending on the faiths of the family, it may be appropriate to show support to the family through memorial charitable donations, memorial flowers, and meal preparation. If you are unsure, ask a relative of the deceased what is customary for their family.

Cross-Cultural

Some ethnicities also have their own ceremonies for funerals. If your loved one had mixed ethnicities, they may have customs from one or more of their own cultural backgrounds. This will vary based on the cultural backgrounds, but generally religious beliefs are rooted into the cultural specifics. 

Secular

Secular, or non-religious, services often shy away from religious specifics. Secular services are similar to the traditional funeral services; except they do not talk of the afterlife or read from religious texts. Quotes from favorite authors might be read. A favorite song might be played or sung. Like most funerals, stories might be shared and close family members may give eulogies. As with most faiths, it is often appropriate to show support to the family through memorial charitable donations, memorial flowers, and meal preparation.

For almost 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.

Comments

Please wait

Previous Posts

Winter Safety for the Elderly

Winter is almost here, and with cold weather comes safety risks for elderly individuals. Between icy paths and freezing temperatures, it can be important to help your older loved ones stay safe in ...

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 ...