u/verdanteeeee

My previous post was removed for asking about spiritual things so I’ll just repost the last part of my question.

Is it ok to just walk into a church and ask a priest questions about the faith if you are not religious? Are there special hours for that? As a priest do you find that disrespectful?

My father’s family is devoutly Catholic. My father left the church at a very young age and eventually became a Buddhist. My father died recently and in addition to my own grief I’ve been trying to help my uncle deal with his grief too. My father refused last rites and my uncle is absolutely destroyed thinking he’ll never see his brother again (won’t be reunited in heaven).

I’ve been avoiding talking to my uncle too much about it because I’m terrified he’ll ask for permission to perform something on my dads ashes that will mean he can go to heaven after all (not even sure that’s a thing). I just want to honor my dads wishes even though I think it was kind of a jerk move to not just allow last rites (I’m agnostic but know enough about Buddhism to know it’s about compassion and really the compassionate thing would have been to allow it so his brother could have peace).

My questions:

Is there something that allow for last rites to be granted after a person has died?

Is there something I can tell my uncle from his religion that would help him feel better about my dad’s choice? I’m sure hes been seeking support and guidance from his own priest but I’d really like to be able to say something to him since he won’t stop calling and I feel so badly for him.

Is this the kind of thing I could ask a priest at our local church about? I don’t know the protocol for just walking into a church and pestering someone with questions.

Thank you for any help you can provide.