As I lay dying, respect my wishes enough to say no prayers to save my non-existent soul. You may pray as much as you wish to hasten my demise if it makes you feel better, it will do no harm to me. Do not come to my bedside to proselytize or send a pastor or priest to do the same; allow me the decency to die in peace free from religious noise. Do not approach my family and offer any religious sentiments; if you really care you will only offer secular words of comfort.
When I am dead, should you care, do not pray for me or my family, but leave them to grieve without the stale odor of religious platitudes. Do not claim I am in a better place - I am worm food - good for them, not so much for me. Do not make false claims about my character, either good or bad, but speak the truth whatever it may be.
When I am gone and can no longer speak for myself, should you hear from someone that I have had a deathbed conversion, DO NOT believe it. Let me assure you that there is no god that I have heard of that I believe in or would turn to in my last moments. Reason, fairness, and compassion for all living things has been my guiding light, not some musty, Bronze Age book of fairy tales or the stories of some demented father figure.
If you are a true friend, you will honor me most by honoring my wishes.
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