The term.... "Rest In Peace" (soul, spirits, quote)

[nezlie]

It's used often, sometimes as a casual remark that is made when we hear of someone's death. Sometimes we come across it on a gravestone where it may be spelled out or abbreviated, RIP.

According to wikipedia, the phrase can be traced back to the early Catholic burial service where it was directed towards the soul.... that the soul of the departed rest in peace in the next life. It is also used, but in a slightly different sense, in Jewish prayer.

The term seems to have changed over time, and now it is said casually without necessarily referring to the soul. It is like a way of closing, similar to saying to someone, "have a nice day." This doesn't make much sense to me because what else can a dead body do except be in a state of rest and inactivity.

Any thoughts?

[looking4answers12]

Originally Posted by nezlie

It's used often, sometimes as a casual remark that is made when we hear of someone's death. Sometimes we come across it on a gravestone where it may be spelled out or abbreviated, RIP.

According to wikipedia, the phrase can be traced back to the early Catholic burial service where it was directed towards the soul.... that the soul of the departed rest in peace in the next life. It is also used, but in a slightly different sense, in Jewish prayer.

The term seems to have changed over time, and now it is said casually without necessarily referring to the soul. It is like a way of closing, similar to saying to someone, "have a nice day." This doesn't make much sense to me because what else can a dead body do except be in a state of rest and inactivity.

Any thoughts?

"When you say it is used casually without necessarily referring to the soul", do you mean that you've heard people say it when not talking about a person who has died? Or do you mean that when saying it about someone who has died, it is just said in a very casual way?

I've only heard it used when related to death. I think it is commonly used, but I don't think the meaning of the expression has changed much. I do think that perhaps peoples attitude about death and humanity as become a little less...respectful.

[Chango]

Originally Posted by nezlie

It's used often, sometimes as a casual remark that is made when we hear of someone's death. Sometimes we come across it on a gravestone where it may be spelled out or abbreviated, RIP.

According to wikipedia, the phrase can be traced back to the early Catholic burial service where it was directed towards the soul.... that the soul of the departed rest in peace in the next life. It is also used, but in a slightly different sense, in Jewish prayer.

The term seems to have changed over time, and now it is said casually without necessarily referring to the soul. It is like a way of closing, similar to saying to someone, "have a nice day." This doesn't make much sense to me because what else can a dead body do except be in a state of rest and inactivity.

Any thoughts?

It wasn't long ago that most people believed the dead didn't necessarily stay dead. Halloween, zombies, vampire stories and the like are leftovers from a time when the prevailing belief said it was necessary to be protected from, placate and/or scare away spirits that might want to harm the living... therefore giving rise to the hopeful (and fearful) saying: "rest in peace"

[Hueffenhardt]

Rest In Peace might also have been said as a wish that gravediggers will leave the body alone.

[whoppers]

Originally Posted by Hueffenhardt

Rest In Peace might also have been said as a wish that gravediggers will leave the body alone.

Grave: a place in which in the dead are laid to await the coming of the medical student.
- Ambrose Bierce