There was a funeral
in the ward today – a man I didn’t actually know. But Roland was presiding and asked me to be
there. The funeral did not start until
12:00 and yet I had been asked to be there at 11:00. I still don’t know why.
So while I was there
I started reminiscing over some other funerals I have attended during my
lifetime. I have attended well over 40 funerals (perhaps more than 50) during
my lifetime. I don’t say that to boast –
it’s just always been part of my existence.
As a result, I have always been surprised by the ignorance of others who
find themselves in a situation of having to make funeral arrangements and not
having a clue as how to go about it.
Death takes place all
the time. It happens all around us – I
suppose for some more than others. And
each culture/religion views death differently and there are just as many
funeral ceremonies as there are ways of dying.
For some cultures it
is considered disrespectful for those attending to wear anything but
white. For others, black is the acceptable
mournful color. For the LDS
member/funeral, the tradition is to dress in the same attire worn to Church on
Sunday.
When Roland’s uncle (who’s
not LDS) passed away, I had packed a black dress – though not a solid black
dress. It was gingham with large faded
flowers – something I have worn to Church.
I don’t think his family was happy with what I had chosen to wear as his
mother led me into her room and held out a couple of dark skirts and told me I
could wear one of hers.
Never mind that
Roland’s mother is quite a bit shorter than I and any skirt that she had may
have barely covered my bottom. It was 30 degrees warmer in Arizona
than in Utah . I was already hot in my “casual” summer
dress. I distinctly remember that one of
the skirts was made out of wool – I’m allergic to wool. As hot as I already was, I might as well just
wear a trench coat and be just as uncomfortable. And why would anybody own wool clothing while
living in Arizona
anyway? I was the only adult wearing a
dress.
For me, going to a
funeral means you’re supporting your living friends whose loved one have passed
on. I normally don’t go to funerals if
the only one that I know is the one in the casket.
I was once asked to
drive my grandmother to a funeral that took place in another county. I didn’t even know the deceased or any of his
family – just my grandmother. She didn’t
really know the deceased all that well but had wanted to support the mother of
the one who had passed. But at the funeral, I learned a bit about the
deceased. And after the funeral, I knew
the deceased just as well as grandma did.
I have been to a
handful of non-LDS funerals, but for the most part, the funerals that I have
attended have been LDS conducted – usually in the chapel where we hold meetings
on Sunday. And I like LDS funerals. For the most part, I think they pay excellent
tribute to the one who is deceased.
The funerals I enjoy
the most celebrate life. The speakers
consist of friends and/or family (family members are best!) who relate stories
about the deceased.
I had the opportunity
to speak at my great grandmother’s funeral, my grandmothers, and my dad’s. I really enjoyed my dads.
The program addressed "farewell services" rather than "funeral services" I talked about dad’s
early life up until he married. Patrick took
over celebrating my dad’s life as a father and patriarch. We played Corey’s voice reciting his poem
(found here) which he later set to music. And Kayla
sang Amy Grant/Gary Chapman’s “Father’s Eyes”.
I remember attending
another funeral for a former neighbor (only about four years older than I) and
his four children spoke at his and put their dad on a pedestal and really
honored his accomplishments. It was
great!