I just had a dear friend and past co-worker pass away from pancreatic cancer. There’s only been about a two month period from the time that she found out and since she died a few days ago. There wasn’t alot of time spent suffering or too much planning, but fortunately I was able to see her and say and do all I needed to do. I was surprised how much peace that visit with her gave me.

I have never been big on funerals. Some people go just to be nosy, or even to be reminded that we aren’t immortal. I mean who are we kidding here, funerals are for the living.

I did attend a funeral when I was a child. I vaguely remember it, but it was a babysitter of mine that died. I just remember she was wearing a very aqua dress and as my mother and I approached the casket, I asked her if she was wearing any panties? I’m not sure why I asked such a question, but obviously I had no clue as to what was going on.

I didn’t care too much that I never saw “Shorty” again. Probably because my only other real memory of her was that she spanked me with a fly swat for peeing on myself. However, just as I have always been puzzled as to why anyone would line up in order to see an awful looking dead body, I have wondered even more so, who would take their children to do so?

Sure, I think kids are equipped at an early age to be given an understanding of death and be given logic in order to not fear it. However, they can surely not understand Auntie May in a coffin not moving or talking or why everyone is crying because of it. Just like in church, there’s always the baby or child that needs a nap or has too much energy to sit still for an hour. Except with funerals, there may be some monumental moment in a persons life that is drowned out or forgotten because of it.

I understand attending a funeral with a young child when it’s the babysitter that you are burying. But other than that, I don’t see too many other good reasons. Maybe there should be an age appropriate law like well behaved, 6 and up only?

Share This