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I just read and commented on a link about clapping at the end of movies in the entertainment forum adn it got me to thinking.
It has been years since I have needed to go to a funeral and the last one I attended was for a neighbor. I grew up next to and had played with his kids for 20 years. We were in a catholic church and his brother delivered a terrific eulogy that had us laughing and remembering what a character his brother was. He really did a great job.
At the end of the eulogy I felt like clapping and almost did and I wish I had not just for the brother's words but for the life and memories that the deceased had left us. It seemed weird we all just sat there in the pews and the funeral went on.
Would it have been wrong to stand and clap for the deceased? Even though it was a stuffy catholic church.
I just read and commented on a link about clapping at the end of movies in the entertainment forum adn it got me to thinking.
It has been years since I have needed to go to a funeral and the last one I attended was for a neighbor. I grew up next to and had played with his kids for 20 years. We were in a catholic church and his brother delivered a terrific eulogy that had us laughing and remembering what a character his brother was. He really did a great job.
At the end of the eulogy I felt like clapping and almost did and I wish I had not just for the brother's words but for the life and memories that the deceased had left us. It seemed weird we all just sat there in the pews and the funeral went on.
Would it have been wrong to stand and clap for the deceased? Even though it was a stuffy catholic church.
I've seen it happen a few times at wakes. It's probably not appropriate in a house of worship though.
Some people may have understood, but there would have been some that thought that you were clapping for the guy that gave the eulogy. You clap for a performance. That's not quite what is fitting for a furneral of someone else. It would have been misunderstood.
Although many Catholic Churchs allow eulogies at the funeral mass, most priests believe the WAKE is the place for eulogies and the funeral mass is the somber religous event.
I just read and commented on a link about clapping at the end of movies in the entertainment forum adn it got me to thinking.
It has been years since I have needed to go to a funeral and the last one I attended was for a neighbor. I grew up next to and had played with his kids for 20 years. We were in a catholic church and his brother delivered a terrific eulogy that had us laughing and remembering what a character his brother was. He really did a great job.
At the end of the eulogy I felt like clapping and almost did and I wish I had not just for the brother's words but for the life and memories that the deceased had left us. It seemed weird we all just sat there in the pews and the funeral went on.
Would it have been wrong to stand and clap for the deceased? Even though it was a stuffy catholic church.
It is your perogative to call the church your frinds dad CHOSE as ....." stuffy"
I would not out of respect for my friends-----------( whether it was a Muslim mosque or a Jewish synagogue either)
I just went to a memorial service this past Saturday. The service was held in a non-denominational church.
Most of the time we sat there quiet after someone stood and remembered our friend. When her daughter-in-law spoke, and made us laugh, we applauded her when she was done. She broke the ice that was hanging over us.
The funniest thing was that the guy officiating was "...not a priest, and was NOT long-winded..." but he droned on for almost a half hour after everyone else finished talking. He went on about some bible verses and started discussing how these passages reflected his own life.
About 20 minutes into this someone actually said, "Do you mind? Bring it back to "C". This is about her life, not yours. We are not here for a Sunday school class." (We all felt like clapping here, but just nodded and agreed - aloud - with her thinking.)
He looked dumbfounded for about 30 seconds and quickly wrapped up his thoughts and gave the final prayer.
Granted, this was a memorial and a celebration of life rather than an actual funeral. However, I've attended funerals in the past few years where clapping has happened at some and not others.
I think it all depends on the people involved.
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People clap at church weddings when the couple are introduced as Mr. & Mrs. So-and-so. Maybe because I'm not Catholic I don't understand the difference between a funeral mass and a funeral service in Protestant churches, but I think if you're celebrating the person's life; laughing, remembering and enjoying the eulogies, I don't see why people don't clap if it feels natural. Maybe others wanted to clap, too, but were hesitant because it's not a common thing to do.
Not Catholic so can not speak to what is and is not acceptable, but I know that when my time comes, I pray that all those who attend laugh, remember, and celebrate all the wonderful life experiences and love that God has allowed me to receive/experience.
I want my service to be a HAPPY time, as I KNOW I am moving forward , and I want others to KNOW my confidence that life on this side is but kindergarten to the new life we are born into as we pass this one.
If someone made you smile, remember wonderful times, gave you a little glimpse into all the wonder and happiness of the departed, feel free to clap and thank them!
It has not been appropriate during a church service in some of the more mainline denominations, but now I notice, for example, that people clap at the end of a marriage ceremony sometimes. I assume that those who attend the some of the churches in which there is hooping, hollering and arm waving like the more fundimentalist churches, would have no problem with clapping in church.
OH I want the full works. dancing in the aisles like Dirty Dancing, singing and smiles when I go... no stuffy nonsense for me....
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