Seems lately I’ve found myself attending an over abundance of funerals.  I’m becoming quite the connoisseur.  Lid up? Lid down? Church or funeral home? When to hug, who to hug?  What meaningless thing to say while hugging? Will you watch them put the lid down? How many pictures will they have about? Will there be multi-media presentations?  How sappy can the music be?  Will the minister actually know the deceased?  Can they even pronounce the deceased’s name correctly? And will there be an opportunity to make a call to Jesus moment?  How much amateur music will be performed and performers choking up?  How many people will talk and breakdown?  How many hankies will be required to get through the graveside ceremony?  Will someone trip over the flowers?  Oh and how bad will the weather be?

Funerals seem to break down into ones where you know and ones where you support.  Up till this year, I was averaging about 2 a year.  But this year, I’m already at two and it doesn’t look like its slowing down.

I’ve become quite an observer.  You can’t help but imagine your own parents, loved one, or husband each time you attend one.  Where would it be?  What would you do?  How would it all get done?  What would they want?  No one who attends wants to talk about them.  Those that skip for reasons only justifiable to themselves, want all the skinny.  I just get tired.

There are no rules on attendance.  Do you do the viewing?  Do you do the funeral or do you just do both?  When do you know if you should be an adult and attend or if it’s socially acceptable to shy away… 

Ciao