Religious & Non-Religious Funeral Services - Faith-Based or Secular Options
Religious & Non-Religious Funeral Services - Faith-Based or Secular Options
At Carroll-Waters, we recognize that faith — or lack thereof — plays a central role in how many people wish to be remembered. Whether you desire a Christian funeral, Jewish memorial, Muslim rites, humanist ceremony, or fully secular tribute, we adapt every detail to your beliefs and values. Our service area spans all of North Carolina (Charlotte, Cleveland, and beyond).
What Makes Carroll-Waters Special
- Interfaith and secular expertise — Our staff partners with clergy, spiritual leaders, humanist officiants, and secular celebrants to support your ceremony, no matter the belief system.
- Custom ritual design — We help you define appropriate readings, prayers, music, symbols, and rituals (or omit them) to match your theological or philosophical stance.
- Inclusive flexibility — You can incorporate faith traditions, spiritual themes, or purely human-centered elements — whichever resonates.
- Sensitivity to guest diversity — We’ll help anticipate and accommodate guests of faith or non-faith backgrounds (e.g. adding moments of reflection rather than prayer when needed).
Examples of Religious & Non-Religious Services
- Christian (Protestant, Catholic, Orthodox) — Liturgy, hymns, scripture readings, communion or blessing.
- Jewish (Reform, Conservative, Orthodox) — Kaddish, eulogies, simple casket, taharah (ritual washing), burial practice.
- Islamic (Sunni, Shia) — Janazah prayers, burial within 24 hours, no embalming if possible, facing Mecca, simple shroud.
- Hindu / Sikh — Antyesti rites, fire-based cremation, mantra chanting, ritual bathing, caste-appropriate observances (as preferred).
- Buddhist — Chanting, meditation, incense, teachings of impermanence, monastic participation.
- Humanist / Secular — Non-theistic readings, personal reflections, music or poetry chosen by family, memory-sharing.
- Interfaith / blended — e.g. a secular eulogy followed by a brief prayer, or combining different faith readings for a couple of multiple faiths.
Who Should Choose This Service
- Families who strongly identify with a particular religious tradition.
- Those who prefer an entirely secular or humanist ceremony without overt religious content.
- Mixed-belief families wanting a hybrid ceremony that respects multiple faith or non-faith backgrounds.
- People who want the freedom to shape the spiritual or philosophical tone of the service.
Call Carroll-Waters at (704) 278-3640 to discuss your specific faith or secular preferences and begin
planning a ceremony true to your beliefs.
