Dead Grandfather Attends Wedding

[olena]

WELLINGTON, New Zealand - Johannes Fransen died two days before his granddaughter's wedding, but his family brought him along anyway — parking his body in an open coffin in the church during the ceremony.
The former gardener and father of twelve died while celebrating his 79th birthday last week, New Zealand Press Association reported Wednesday.
But the family decided he would still attend granddaughter Rachel James' wedding two days after his death, said Rachel's mother, Nancy James.
"We just went ahead with the wedding and put Opa's coffin at the side of the church," she said, referring to Fransen by the Dutch word for grandfather. Fransen immigrated to New Zealand from the Netherlands in 1950.
During the wedding reception, the open casket was placed at the end of the hall.
"He was just there ... and people went up to see him," Nancy James said. "It really helped everybody, including Mum who wanted to be with Dad."
Fransen was buried in the city of Hamilton, 330 miles northeast of the capital, Wellington, Wednesday.
He was survived by his wife, Dora, 12 children, 54 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

 

[Indyman]

Johannes may be dead but he's still the life of the party.

Just like Weekend at Bernie's.

 

[WeirdEyes]

I do believe that is the craziest thing I've ever heard!

 

[jamsmom]

 

[Pin Wizard]

That's horrible!

 

[Nutsy]

That's what I call a wedding with a difference

 

[Mjasp]

Originally posted by Indyman
Johannes may be dead but he's still the life of the party.

LOL

Just like Weekend at Bernie's.

 

[Disney Doll]

I guess it saves some time, since you don't have to have a wake or viewing...kinda killed 2 birds with one stone!

 

[JohnTBap]

I left an empty chair for my grandfather. I guess I coulda got the urn from the niche. Maybe next time.

 

[snoopy]

For some reason this doesn't sound all that crazy to me! Hey, if it made the happy couple happier to have Granddad there, regardless of the fact he had no pulse, then who am I to judge?

 

[DaveH]

I think the wedding was better that way. The reason I believe that is folks can grieve(sp?) and celebrate the wedding also.

 

[chell]

EWWWW!

 

[Mishetta]

I read this thread to my DH & after his eyes popped back into their sockets, he asked if the happy couple took family photo's with OPA or if they took him on their honeymoon.

Sorry, but this was a very bizarre story!

 

[UncleKyle]

WOW, sounds weird to me but I guess to each his own.

 

[zurgswife]

 

[Cindyluwho]

Gosh, I thought it was kind of a sweet story. What a wonderful way to celebrate the "circle of life". We make such a scary thing of death in this country, it's not that way in other places. As far as the honeymoon, though......

 

[chris1gill]

Originally posted by Indyman
Johannes may be dead but he's still the life of the party.

Indyman, too funny!!! I'm sitting here LOL... I think it's a funny story!! A bit odd, but very funny... I'd love to know what the bride & groom thought about it... the article didn't really say...