But don't you think that peace should be a word with no religious attachment. I for one am sick of Christians co-opting our language for their benefit.
As far as rest in peace, it could just as easily mean their remains are no longer bothered by this crazy world. I have never thought about it as being in a better place

I always say something like "His/her troubles are over." Which is true.

Gone but not forgotten.

It's better than "rest in decay."

Instead of saying that they are in a better place now, one could reverse that and say "He was in a better place"

Just a thought.

It doesn't matter who/what is said as long as it's meant to wish them farewell..... anyone is free to dwell on it after the fact as they please

Go and become fertilizer!

May your body renourish that land that bore you.

I will miss him/her

so sorry the family threw a family celebration fo rthemselves and not the deceased.Sad

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

See you in the stars.

I celebrate your life

They will be missed.

(This, at the moment, is a "do as I say" since I have yet to set mine up.)
But I intend to preset, prepay for an immediate (barring criminal concerns) cremation, having arranged with a trusted person to carry out my wishes, (minimal)
No funeral, no service, no religious talk at all.
If folks want a wake, I can't stop them, but I promise to haunt them if they flaunt my desires!
(dodoododooo dodoododooo, rod sterling voice over) BEWARE)

'That SOB better come back! They owed me 25$'

I usually say..."She had a great life, did many things she wanted to do and left loving friends behind. I'm one of them...and I'll miss her."

“It was fun while it lasted” for fellow atheists or “Remember the good times” for mixed groups.

It doesn't matter what happens to the body. As I heard the Klingons put it on a Star Trek episode, 'It is an empty shell". In other words, how you've lived is all that really matters. If they wish to have a Viking funeral while sacrificing a virgin, let them. If there is an existence after death, nothing they do will affect it.

"Peace be with you," Although I guess that also implies some sort of continuation.

We come to celebrate a life not a death.

Back to nothingness from which we came.

I'm so sorry for you loss. I'm going to keep you in my thoughts and close to my heart as our friend has returned what was borrowed.

Of course you can anything. R.I.P works fine Just like someone who was in pain doesn't hurt anymore. Come on don't tell me I can't say my Mother who died after 3 years of anger, pain, and dementia not knowing where the hell she was isn't at rest? She's dead and better off. She's no longer here or anywhere she's dead and at peace in death. With death comes peace for some. She wasn't at peace while living. She's not at power, she's dead. WE KNOW SHE'S DEAD WITH RIP. We know she's not resting and going to get up. I'm not confused by RIP. How about Rest In Pittsburgh. I like Pittsburgh.

I don't mean to sound angry especially if you're joking. There prayers won't hurt you and those that need, feel better.
Don't start a fight at a funeral. Let them be.

I have been to a fair few humanist funerals and they have all been great and done the job of getting the grieving part over for those of us still alive -they have been empathic and kind and the do- it -yourself togetherness aspect of it is very heartening and heart warming there has been quite a revolution in taking control of your own funeral wishes these days and I really welcome it as everyone present is included - as a human. I have never felt the need after a good ceremony to say any of these trite sayings