And these people call themselves catholics/christians?

Another point – I’d like my closest friends named at my funeral as these are the people I have shared my life with. I don’t just want family members mentioned and the “and friends” tacked on to the end

Actually, Gooner, you’re account is deeply disturbing. As far as I’m concerned, we’re born and we die; and in between, if we’re lucky, we have a reasonably enjoyable existence. If this priest cannot even acknowledge the truth of someone’s existence, he should really take a look at his own because he’s probably taking it for granted. Catholics or no Catholics, people are who they are, whether you condemn the sin or the sinner, or neither. The priest sounds like a soulless, evil man. (Not that I’d expect anything else for one minute from a member of an organised religion; they’re not exactly populated with thinking beings, as far as I’m concerned; but I’m nevertheless disgusted, and will always be at times like these.)

I wonder if humanists mark the milestones of human life – births, deaths, relationships. I’d really like to know if there’s an alternative, especially for funeral ceremonies. I have no wish to believe I’ve no option but to have some hateful religious bigot preside over my remains.

I’m having my body thrown to the wolves in the forest when I die…