[wintertime]

It was not respectful to my mother, who hadn't shown any interest in Catholicism since 1959, or to those sincere Catholics who really do practice their faith.

My father, an avowed atheist, would have found the entire spectacle very offensive.

[Cronos]

Ok, now I get what you were saying. But what would the alternative be, in your opinion? I take it that it comforted your brother

As to not being respectful to sincere Catholics -- I would to some extent agree, but state that unless the deceased really went against Church teaching (like Kennedy, T), I, personally, would not be offended.