First. Sorry about your mothers death. I understand what you went through. My wife died at the beginning of 2017. She was an atheist like myself but her family (father specifically) was a devout Jane indian. He more or less put us through 13 days of religious ceremonies etc.

The way your son described it brought images of B movies with black masses in them.

Oddly I remember the side-eye I got to give my siblings when planning and executing my Mom's funeral as sort of an okay time?

Mainly because we did it together. It wasn't the religious part of it - it was the being together part.

It could have been any activity I guess? But admittedly the Catholic Church provides plenty of side eye. As does the Funeral home.

My favorite part was when the Funeral Director intoned "We have your Aunt downstairs you know.". We were like "Why is Auntie here?". Then the penny dropped. She died over the same weekend. Yup she was "There" alright. Yes we busted out in nervous laughter when we got to the car. My family is terrible for that.

Sorry for what you are going through. It is hard to lose a parent.

There's so many creepy things about church, and thats one of them.

No more creepy than watching Donald Trump attempting to be human.

My kids (10, 12, 14) first memorable religious experience was going to a baptism for my niece. They sat with my mother, on the ride home my oldest asked, "do they really believe that stuff". It was an interesting ride home. She is now a scientist.

Keep your thoughts on what would make your Mom happy......best wishes!

Sorry to hear about the loss of your momma..

>Do you think it's creepy when they all chant words about a made up deity?

It is the custom of the people, the dumb little shits.

Yes, it is creepy but it sounds like your family got through one of the hardest times in life and did it all very well. Condolences on the loss of your mother. I'm also seeing something here that your post shows very plainly. Believers and non-believers can have good relationships even when they are married. I think you must have a remarkable family.

No more creepy than the pledge of allegiance or a Maori haka

Listen, if you're gonna raze a funeral by being the brain that is off-network, or by making jokes, you better be damned good at it, and I wanna see video because this is funny as hell. Good stuff, Doraz, keep the comedy coming.

-D.Z.

I don't think it so much Creepy as just about totally pointless and absurd

it provides comfort to some so even though its futile, I let it go

No...I don’t think it’s creepy, I find it sad that so many have been brainwashed to follow this ritual since birth, and do it unquestioningly.

I experienced this as a child … and how many of them really only pretend that they believe the stuff?