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When a non-believer dies, what can one say instead of "Rest in Peace"?

This has been a bad couple of years losing friends, relatives and personal heroes like Bowie, Prince and now Bourdain. I'm bothered by religious wishes and prayers throw around after a known atheist dies. A work friend passed quite suddenly as an example. and everyone said "oh he's in a better place" and "our prayers are with his family" knowing this man was proudly gay and a sarconic contrarian atheist. The family gave him a religious church funeral against his wishes. I know these words and actions are for the comfort of the living, and I had to bite my tongue and suppress anger at the seeming cluelessness and utter lack of respect. So the question is: What do you say? I like the alternative "Rest in Power", but even that implies an afterlife to "rest" in.

Perspicalidocious 4 June 10
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53 comments (51 - 53)

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0

S/he came and went!

0

Rest in peace & Dust to dust both feel like they could go either way, atheist or religious.

0

When they are dead, what dies it matter? When they are dying, if they want to listen, there is much we can share.

StJohn Level 6 June 13, 2018
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