Although the majority of Jehovah Witnesses typically choose a traditional burial service following death, there is no one specific practice that is recommended on how to handle the body. It is ultimately up to the individual family to decide if cremation is the best option for their loved one.
The general view of Jehovah’s Witnesses is to leave as much of the decision making to the individuals to decide what service is best for them and their families. Cremation is becoming more common and accepted in many locations, and some families may choose cremation for a variety of reasons including religious, logistical, or financial.
Ultimately, it is up to the individual or the family to decide what is best for the deceased.
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What is the procedure for a Jehovah Witness funeral?
A funeral for a Jehovah’s Witness follows the same procedure as most other Christian funerals with a few exceptions. The service is typically held at a Kingdom Hall, which is the local church for Jehovah’s Witnesses.
The service itself is a memorial service and there is typically no eulogy or public readings.
The funeral service is a celebration of the life of the deceased, and includes music and readings from the Bible, but none of the readings mention the deceased. All of the music is taken from Watchtower or Awake!, which are publications of the Jehovah’s Witness faith.
Typically, there will be several prayer vigils held as part of the service, and a talk given by one of the local Elders.
Following the service, there is typically a brief graveside service. At the gravesite the family will be invited to give brief word of remembrance about their loved one, although this is optional and not required.
After the few words of remembrance, a member of the congregation will give a closing prayer and the body is interred.
It is customary for the mourners to wear simple and conservative clothing. Men typically wear suits with white shirts and ties, and women generally wear solid-colored blouses and skirts. During the services, it is respectful to stand during the music and prayers, and sit during the talk, although this is not explicitly instructed.
At the conclusion of the funeral, the family is often invited to the Kingdom Hall for a time of fellowship. It is an opportunity for the family and congregation to share memories of the deceased over a meal.
It is a time of comfort and support, and a reminder of the hope that the deceased will be resurrected.
How do Jehovah Witnesses deal with death?
When dealing with death, comfort and hope are two of the main factors that Jehovah’s Witnesses emphasize. They believe that death is part of a natural process and that, even though it brings sadness, it is ultimately part of God’s plan.
After death, they believe that the body returns to the dust and the spirit returns to Jehovah God. To provide some solace, they are encouraged to remember how short the period of mourning is compared to the eternity with Jehovah that awaits those who have died.
Since Jehovah’s Witnesses rely on scripture, they emphasize that death is a temporary affliction and reminds them of the promise of resurrection. They believe that there will be a resurrection of both the just and the unjust and that those who have died will be resurrected in a near future.
To reinforce this belief, they attend an annual memorial service for those who have died in the faith.
In their own words, when mourning, Jehovah’s Witnesses have comforting words from scripture. They reflect on Bible verses of hope, such as Isaiah 25:8 which reads: “He will swallow up death forever…The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces.
” As a final source of comfort, they rely on the promise of everlasting life with God and look forward to the near future when they will be reunited with their deceased loved ones.
Do Jehovah Witness drink alcohol?
No, Jehovah’s Witnesses are advised to abstain from consuming alcohol. The practice of refraining from drinking alcohol is part of their religious beliefs. The bible, which forms the basis of the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ religious practices, explicitly forbids drinking alcohol.
In the bible verse Ephesians 5:18 it says “And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the spirit”. The Jehovah’s Witness official website also notes that abstaining from wine, strong drink or anything leading to intoxication is part of being a witness for God.
Some Jehovah’s Witnesses may choose to attend social gatherings or parties where alcohol is present, but they typically abstain from drinking any form of alcohol.
Is there an afterlife in Jehovah Witness?
The beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses concerning life after death are based on Bible passages such as Psalm 37 which states that “the righteous will possess the earth, and they will live forever on it” and Ecclesiastes 9:5 which says that “the dead know nothing at all”.
According to Jehovah’s Witnesses, there is no immortal soul that goes to heaven or hell, rather when a person dies they remain in a state of non-existence until they are resurrected. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection were the installment plan for a human’s future hope of everlasting life on earth in a paradise-like state.
The physical resurrections of the 144,000 faithful anointed ones (the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses refer to this select group as “the heavenly class”) will occur first, followed by the resurrection of all other humans who have died.
This resurrection is sometimes referred to as the Judgment Day, when all people will be brought back to physical life and have the opportunity to receive God’s gift of everlasting life on earth. Those who accept God’s gift of everlasting life will live forever on heaven’s restored paradise on earth, while those who reject it will be destroyed, ceasing to exist.
What happens when a Jehovah Witness Gets blood?
When a Jehovah’s Witness (JW) gets blood, the decisions about whether or not to accept the blood are determined on an individual basis. Generally, the JW will choose to receive treatments that use a blood substitute or any other method that does not require the transfusion of actual blood products.
Within the JW faith, there are very specific guidelines about the types of blood and blood-products which cannot be accepted, as these are viewed as a violation of the Biblical prohibition against consuming blood.
JW’s typically rely on treatments such as major surgery, childbirth and chemotherapy that do not require blood transfusions. In the case of a medical emergency, JW’s may permit the use of blood-products such as those used to replenish red blood cells in order to save a life, but would only do this if there was no bible based alternative.
What happens if you give blood to a Jehovah Witness?
According to the American Red Cross, people who identify as Jehovah’s Witnesses may accept any of the treatments necessary to save their life, including non-blood products and synthetic blood products.
However, many Witnesses do choose not to receive whole blood transfusions or the four primary components of blood (red cells, white cells, platelets, and plasma), as these components may in some cases contain actual blood, which is against their religious beliefs.
If someone who identifies as a Jehovah’s Witness is interested in donating blood, one should always consult with their medical professional or local doctor. If a person is cleared to donate blood according to the criteria of the American Red Cross, a person is free to donate as long as they follow the guidelines set by the American Red Cross.
Individuals of any faith who plan to donate blood should first make sure that they meet the American Red Cross’s requirements for donating, and then proceed to the donation center with their confirmation from their medical professional or local doctor that the individual is cleared to donate blood.
It is important to remember that all presumptive positive screenings, including a person’s faith, should never be the sole reason to deny someone the ability to donate, as all eligibility criteria must be met.
In summary, as long as an individual meets the requirements and guidelines of the American Red Cross and has approval from a medical professional or local doctor, they are free to donate blood regardless of their faith.
Can a non Jehovah Witness attend a Jehovah Witness funeral?
Yes, a non Jehovah Witness can attend a Jehovah Witness funeral. Depending on the wishes of the deceased and their family, the ceremony may be open to all, regardless of faith or religious affiliation.
The funeral program may also be more generic and not include explicitly religious texts, making it welcoming to individuals of all backgrounds and beliefs. The funeral service likely won’t include some of the practices that are specific to the Jehovah Witness faith, such as offering a public confession of faith, prayers, etc.
It’s important to be mindful and respectful during the service, and to act with compassion and sensitivity towards those who are gathering to remember the deceased. If you have specific questions or concerns about the funeral service, it’s a good idea to reach out to the family beforehand.
Are Jehovah Witnesses allowed to celebrate anything?
Jehovah’s Witnesses are not officially allowed to celebrate anything. They believe that since “the world is filled with bad influences,” celebration of traditional holidays and observances, such as birthdays, is discouraged.
The Watchtower Society, the organization that oversees members of the religion, has said that “Churches, governments, and families often observe holidays that are based on false religious beliefs or have become contaminated with pagan customs, making them unacceptable to Christians.
”.
Instead of participating in traditional festivities, Jehovah’s Witnesses focus on building relationships and celebrating with family and friends. They also regularly meet together to discuss spiritual matters, emphasizing the need to remain spiritually grounded and observe scriptural principles for their daily lives.
Celebration is also found in the dedication of personal time and effort to share the message and teachings of the Bible. With this in mind, the religion encourages Americans to engage in activities such as public speaking or doing a Bible study with others, or distributing Bible-based education in their local community and/or abroad.
What is a Jehovah Witness funeral service like?
A Jehovah Witness funeral service is typically held at the Kingdom Hall. The service typically lasts approximately 45 minutes and is largely focused on a sermon that is given by one of the elders of the congregation.
The sermon typically emphasizes the deceased’s dedication to their faith, as well as provides comfort to the family and friends of the deceased. Prayer and songs are also a part of the service.
The body of the deceased is typically not present as the congregation believes in immaterial existence after death. However, small memorials, such as pictures of the deceased, might be present in the service.
Jehovah Witnesses generally do not have embalming and view-ings of the deceased body, as well as flower arrangements. Instead, the service typically ends with a short reading from scripture and the congregation singing a hymn.
During the service there may be a time of refreshment afterwards, to give family and friends the opportunity to visit with one another. Observers to the service are welcome and should dress according to the dress code for the Hall (men typically wear dark colored suits, women dress modestly and in plain colors).
As no money is collected.
Do you send sympathy cards to Jehovah Witness?
Yes, it is a nice gesture to send a sympathy card to a Jehovah Witness in their time of need. When sending a card, make sure it is appropriate for the beliefs and values of Jehovah Witnesses. Since they do not celebrate birthdays and other holidays, do not send a card that celebrates the occasion or wishes them a happy birthday.
Instead, a more appropriate card might include a phrase such as “with deepest sympathy” or offer words of comfort and understanding. If attending a funeral or memorial service, a respectful gesture of remembrance can be sent in the form of flowers.
However, any gift or gesture should be given with sensitivity and respect for the culture and beliefs of Jehovah Witnesses.
