Serious question

Why do we say rest in peace to the dead who can’t hear us? Death is the ultimate peace. I can understand ‘die in peace’ for many have horrible pain from illness and terribly painful deaths, but once dead there is nothing but peace for the dead. It is the end of that person’s existence. Only human arrogance or blind faith make people believe they are here forever in some form or the other.
I will never understand this.

In reply to Chrissy

Comfort and closure

In reply to nick2020
So people say it for themselves?

...

Saying "RIP" to the dead, which stands for Requiescat in Pace (Latin for "Rest in Peace"), is more than just a phrase—it's a gesture of respect, a hope, and a reminder of our shared humanity. While it’s true that death is inevitable and something we all must face, the act of saying "RIP" carries a sense of compassion and acknowledgement of the life that was lived.

Throughout history, the phrase has roots in religious and cultural beliefs. In many traditions, it’s a way of wishing the departed soul peace in the afterlife or beyond, free from the struggles, pain, or conflicts they may have faced in life. Even for those who don't hold spiritual beliefs, "RIP" has evolved to symbolize a universal moment of recognition—a pause to honour someone’s existence and express sympathy for the loss.

Yes, the fact that we all must die someday doesn’t diminish the weight of someone’s passing. Death, while inevitable, often leaves an emotional void for the living. Saying "RIP" is less about the dead themselves and more about those left behind—a way of giving closure, expressing mourning, and sharing in the collective experience of loss.

In a way, it’s also a reminder of our own mortality. By offering "Rest in Peace," we acknowledge the fragility of life and the hope that, when our time comes, we too will be remembered with kindness and reverence. It’s a small, profound act of grace in the face of the great equalizer—death.

Sarge

In reply to Chrissy

How do you know that the dead cant hear you?

In reply to FanAttick

If yuh ebba get a response,yuh will drop dead

In the original Africa religions, they believed that their ancestors were watching over them, that encouraged them to be good humans so as not to offend their ancestors. So who knows?

In reply to Chrissy

Nice question. My my take, RIP is a European construct.

Muslims are discouraged from saying it to another Muslim. Now, I know you won't agree with this one , but this is what we say:

From God we came, and unto him we return.

In reply to Chrissy

It's a goodbye wish of the living, by the living, for the the dead!

a. Faith whether blind or otherwise
b. A sincere form of condolence from one to another (religo-cultural fr
c. For self,yes, for coping with loss, arrogance selfishness in some cases perhaps
Joke telling is helping us cope with Big Sis' passing and FanA's questions and Chrissy's reply reminded me of this one.
A man who all youngsters in the district feared but bused tobshout his nickname and run died. At his nine-night (wake)a challenge was put out...who brave enough to go up di ded yard open the coffin and "box him" one guy decided he'd at least touch his to and run back. Guy didn't return for 1hr. Men got brave enough to go check and found 2 dead men! Turns out brave guy did touch my man's to but slammed the coffin on his shirt tail as he turned around to run. Thinking my man grabbed him poor lad died of heart attack.

The belief, especially among Christians, that while the body is dead, the soul of the person remains alive and aware. How that person lived her or his life determines whether the soul rest in peace or not. So, especially if the person was known to be evil, there is this fear that this evil soul would remain restless and choose to haunt the living. So, all the nice platitudes are given, and the wish that his soul would be pleased, and would rest in perfect peace. A lot of folks take this thing very serious, and many stories have been told about the dead person being seen wandering around the home, cemetery and all over the place. Sometimes the family has to find an obeah man, or priest to come and control that restless ghost. So, this rest in peace thing is not so simple; people are actually hoping and praying that that dead do rest in peace.

In reply to Besar

In di middle of all the superstition (read guzzum) linked to all religions, your response makes di most sense

People ‘fraid a di dead

In reply to Chrissy

I am not superstitious, but understand the ground

In reply to dayne
Mi een have a problem wid di ancestor myths - I have a problem wid telling dead people who are finally at peace to rest in peace.

In reply to Besar
I get it

Cricket duppy tek ova

Wrong thread

Oops

In reply to Chrissy

How do you know they are at peace?

Big loud stewwps

In reply to Besar

As well, people who never had time for God all of a suddenly becomes religious at a funeral, hoping to convince themselves and others that there is peace after death.

And every dead person at every funeral is going upstairs, regardless of the faith and religion of the preacher ......

In reply to Kay

where is upstairs?

In reply to nick2020


Into di ground or into an urn or into di sea or some tree trunk of choice.
I want to know where in di sky dem deh? How dem get up when every ting comes back down.

In reply to nick2020

Heaven .....