Sunday, November 8, 2015

FUNERAL: A comforting good-bye ritual

I went to a funeral for a friend's Dad this week and was reminded what an important and comforting ritual it can be, when friends, relatives, work colleagues past and present, neighbors, acquaintances and friends of friends come out to offer their support for those who are grieving. The service was simple and moving, and the luncheon that followed gave everyone a chance to decompress a little (I noticed several neckties were quickly loosened), reminisce and catch up. There was a lot of laughter, and happy memories, and I think that's the way it should be. My friend's Dad was an honorable, hard-working, religious family-oriented man, and the entire day was a fitting tribute to his life.
As we were leaving the funeral home to drive to the cemetery, the funeral director warned us that motorists these days don't always respect the right-of-way of a funeral procession. I was astonished. Bad manners, indeed! Not to mention bad karma.

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