Funerals

Have you ever been to a fun Funeral?

I hope my life will be celebrated in an outrageous fashion. When I die I want it to be like the end of X-factor when a video is presented with all the fabulous things I’ve achieved!

What do you want?

When one of my uncles died I went to the funeral with my mum and although I hadn’t see him in years I remembered him as a funny, charming and handsome man. His funeral did not reflect any of this!

He’d been a fun-loving joker who usually had everyone in stitches laughing but there we were, heads bowed, sombre, with a huge sense of loss instead of celebrating the joy we’d had in his company. I was holding my Mother’s arm when I turned to see her staring unflinchingly at the coffin. I asked her if she was ok?

As she continued to gaze at the rich mahogany box she said,

“I’m just wondering what he’s doing in there!”

What did she think he would be doing?

Did she think he was having a whisky and a cigarette while reading the Daily Record?

I felt the blood rush to my head and turned to her as we both realised what she’d said started to laugh hysterically, then forced to pretend to cry when everyone started to turn and stare at us. I could see my cousins’ looks of distaste and annoyance and they must have been thinking,

“What on earth is she crying for? She didn’t see him for about 15 years!”

They were right and I felt embarrassed which only made me laugh more nervously at the absurdity of the situation. Later, at the purvey, I explained to the family what had happened and they all agreed it should have been more fun. My mum’s line would have been perfect as part of the service and my uncle would have loved everyone laughing.

Funerals can be fun and as a Civil Celebrant that is what I’m interested in…

Celebrating your best bits!

If you are dealing with grief click here!