Strict funeral rules make for some tough decisions

Updated November 2 2012 - 2:43pm, first published September 12 2010 - 2:47pm

IN AN age where people are moving away from traditional forms of religious affiliation, news last week that the Catholic Church in Victoria wants to enforce stricter regulations about songs which can be played at funeral services is, on the surface, reinforcement of an inability to adapt to modern expectations.While it is completely understandable for the church to uphold the sacred ceremonies which mark the end of one's life, community views and values have, and will continue to, change. The failure to adapt to these changing values has already impacted upon formal church organisations - not just the Catholic Church _ in recent decades.-People now have many more choices available to them. They are also time-poor.Strict boundaries and commitment are not valued as highly as in the past.This has led to fragmentation of belief and a reduction of people joining traditional Western forms of religion.This trend has placed those charged with taking religious decisions with some problems when weighing up long-held structures and attitudes. We've seen churches struggle with issues of female leadership, in dealing with past abuses of power and now with expectations about how funeral services are conducted.That's not to say the church should be budging on its beliefs in an effort to ensure it maintains its congregation numbers.To do so would be a disservice to the true believers who hold their strong commitment to everything the church stands for on the highest pedestal.But it is clear that the rise of non-religious funeral services in recent years is indicative that many people in the modern world see a funeral as a celebration and service which pays homage to a person as an individual with their own passions, loves and commitments _ and any song which may embody it.In the end, those who truly believe will not waver. Those who do not wish to undertake a church funeral have an alternative. Those who want the best of both worlds are the ones affected most.

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