We all have to deal with going to a funeral or funeral home at some point. This is something I hate. Not because they are sad, although some are, but because you never know what to expect. I have been to the funeral home for several viewings and also to several funerals, and it always amazes me the things that you see there. And, no I don't mean the dead bodies-that part is a given. Below are some of the different things I have experienced at either a funeral home viewing or a funeral itself...
~The saddest funeral I have ever been to was for a still-born child. She was my aunt's baby. And, of course everyone was crying and sad. Most people were trying their best to offer condolences or words of comfort. The sweetest and saddest, but most touching part of this funeral was when the baby's 2 year old sister released balloons stating that she was sending them to her sister in Heaven.
~The craziest funeral I have ever been to was for my former step-grandfather. He had lived quite a life, and many people stood up at the funeral to share their memories of him. These included memories of him using and dealing an assortment of drugs throughout his life, a restaurant he had for awhile, his pawn shop, his adult novelties store, his multiple wives, his sense of humor, and his boiled peanuts. Everyone was laughing at these shared memories, but it seemed odd for a funeral....
~Another funeral I went to that wasn't very traditional was for my cousin's husband. He had died suddenly and left behind not only his wife, but four children. This was very sad and lots of people were crying, which was to be expected. But, at the actual funeral people were sharing their memories of this man. He was very funny and he loved his family dearly. So some memories were sad and some were hilarious. This made it very interesting because people weren't sure whether they should laugh or cry.
~My granny's funeral was the kind of funeral I've been to most often. People are sad because they will miss the person who dies, but that person was a Christian, so the belief is that they're in a better place. Also, she was elderly. Age 87, and she had suffered for quite awhile beforehand. Most of the funerals I have been to one or the other, if not both, is the case.
~Two of the more recent funerals I have been to, both for women in their sixties, were sad. One of these ladies was my distant cousin. The other was my soon-to-be ex-husband's aunt. Both women were Christians and had died very suddenly. People were falling apart and crying over the slightest little thing. It was sad, but it seemed overly dramatic to me.
~And, most recently, I went to a viewing today for my deceased grandfathers brother-in-law. I know that man's grand-daughter slightly, but don't know any of the rest of them at all. This was very awkward anyway..... and for those of you who don't know, I am overweight. I am okay with this, however. Anyway, as soon as I walk in, a woman who is technically my aunt walks up and starts taking to me. Now, I've only seen this woman maybe five times in the last twenty years. But, the first thing she said to me was, "Wow, you've gotten fat!" And, that's just the beginning. Needless to say, these people were horribly rude, and I didn't stay.
I have been to more than just the examples I have given, but this is a good overview of the different types of behavior I have encountered. I think that it's hard to go to these things anyway, especially if it's someone you don't know well. But, if you are someone who is accustomed to doing it one way and you go somewhere where they do it differently, it's even harder. What kind of funerals have you been to? Any experiences like the one I had today? Any stories of anything touching or funny or crazy like in the examples I gave? Feel free to comment. Thanks. :)
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