The Jehovah's Witnesses funeral service is similar to other Christian faiths, but lasts only 15 or 30 minutes. The funeral usually takes place within a week after death. At the service, men wear a suit and tie, and women are expected to dress modestly, but neither needs a head covering.
Jehovah's Witnesses funeral services typically take place within a week of the death. The service is held in the Kingdom Hall and is led by the Congregation Elder. The service is brief (generally between 15 and 30 minutes) and the body of the deceased is usually present.
Therefore death is not to be feared as the absolute end, because the dead who are “in God's memory” will be resurrected. Jehovah's Witnesses do not believe in a place called Hell or a realm of eternal torment. They do believe in a heaven and the hope of going there.
Acceptable funeral attire for a Jehovah's Witnesses' funeral is similar to other funerals. Clothing should be dark in color. It should also be conservative.
Cremation is acceptable to Jehovah's Witnesses because of the belief that Jehovah has the ability to restore anyone whether they were cremated or buried. The Bible does not state what should be done with the body after death.
Jehovah's Witnesses' Funeral Etiquette
Men usually wear a suit while women usually wear a conservative dress. Funeral Tone — Funeral practices are kept reserved and modest with no display of economic status of the deceased. Mourning is expected to not be overly somber as in the religion, death is not a negative event.
Smoking, including electronic cigarettes, abuse of drugs, and drunkenness are prohibited. Alcohol is permitted in moderation.
The Jehovah's Witness Funeral Service
The funeral usually takes place within a week after death. At the service, men wear a suit and tie, and women are expected to dress modestly, but neither needs a head covering. Flowers and food may be offered to the family before, during or after the service.
Jehova's Witness Mourning Rituals and Memorials
However, it is acceptable for family and friends to visit the grave of the deceased in years to come, so long as the visit is made for their own sake.
The weddings of Jehovah's Witnesses are diverse. They are similar in range to every non Witness wedding that I attended. There are a few small customs they don't partake in like toasting. And they have a Bible based wedding talk before their vows.
Based on their understanding of scriptures such as Revelation 14:1-4, Jehovah's Witnesses believe that exactly 144,000 faithful Christians go to heaven to rule with Christ in the kingdom of God.
Marc John Jefferies, who you'll recognize from films like “Losing Isaiah,” “Get Rich or Die Tryin'” and “Notorious,” was raised in the Jehova's Witness faith as a child. Like sister Serena, Venus was also raised in the Jehovah's Witness faith by their parents.
Additionally, the Witnesses hold the belief that Jehovah was the creator of all. Furthermore, they do not celebrate birthdays or religious and national holidays. The major Jehovah's Witnesses holiday memorializes the day when Jesus Christ died comes around Passover and Easter moments.
Jehovah's Witnesses do not celebrate Christmas, birthdays, or any holidays with a pagan origin. They are also prohibited from entering into what they consider unclean practices such as receiving blood transfusions, and entering military service is prohibited.
We have seen people online questioning if you can send a Jehovah's Witness a sympathy card when they suffer a loss, and the answer is yes, certainly; just be careful to avoid sending a card featuring Christian imagery — such as a cross — or bearing a Christian message.
The Memorial includes a talk on the meaning of the celebration and a sharing of unadulterated red wine and unleavened bread by those who have been chosen to rule with Christ in heaven.
6. They limit contact with non-Jehovah's Witnesses. Followers are discouraged from having close relationships with those who are not part of the faith.
Jehovah's Witnesses accept medial and surgical treatment. They do not adhere to so-called “faith healing” and are not opposed to the practice of medicine.
At a Jehovah's Witness funeral, mourners are expected to wear simple clothing in muted colors.
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that it is against God's will to receive blood and, therefore, they refuse blood transfusions, often even if it is their own blood. The willing acceptance of blood transfusions by Jehovah's Witnesses has in some cases led to expulsion from and ostracisation by their religious community.
God. Jehovah's Witnesses believe God is the Creator and Supreme Being. Witnesses reject the Trinity doctrine, which they consider unscriptural. They view God as the Father, an invisible spirit person separate from the Son, Jesus Christ.
Jehovah's Witnesses adhere to the Bible's view of marriage and divorce. Monogamy between one man and one woman and sex only within marriage are requirements in the Witness religion. But Witnesses do permit divorce in certain cases, believing that the only valid ground for divorce and remarriage is adultery.
Jehovah's Witnesses believe that the entire earth will be a sanctuary in the eternities and that includes being a peaceful place for animals.
There is no tithing or collection, but all are encouraged to donate to the organization; Witnesses typically provide an opportunity for members of the public to make such donations as they encounter them in their preaching work.