Funeral Activities?

[ZephyrHawk]

I heard once about this place that would pack your cremated ashes into fireworks and then set them off. They'd also arrange for a catered cocktail party and the like beforehand. I've never really given much thought to my own death, but I think something like that would be cool.

 

[SanFranciscan]

I have "hosted," so to speak, a fair number of funerals because my father was ordained. I notice that people ate more at funerals than they did at weddings so eating seems to be a big "funeral activity." Therefore, what kind of food is served might be the biggest consideration.

I saw a horrifying amount of crass conduct at funerals, such as someone who asked the widow, in very sympathetic tone, if she had been left well-provided for and then actually asked her if he could call her so that she could "have some company during this difficult time." In other words, he was looking for some "company" with a woman who had just come into some serious money. That is just one of the reason I am a little cynical about emotional displays at funerals.

Yet I have seen some customs that I did find a little charming. At a Swedish funeral, I saw that the hats of the family of the deceased were color-coded to reveal their relationship to the deceased. One color for the wife, another for their daughter, and on like that.

 

[PaulaSue]

Not weird IMO but my Friend's Dh who just died a few months ago they had a Penn State themed tailgate kind of party afterward. Everyone was asked to wear Penn State blue and NO Black. It was truely a celebration of his life and family and more "fitting" for a 38 year old with a young wife and 2 small boys.

 

[PhotobearSam]

My Dad has always said we are to go to the funeral home and when picking out his casket, we are to look at the most expensive and the least expensive. We are to put him in the cheap one and then take the difference between the 2 and buy turkeys for the poor at Christmas...He would want to be remembered as someone who liked to entertain.

I WILL do this if I am still around. I would like to donate turkeys each year in his honour.

 

[PiratesRock]

My Mom used to perform in the local community theater. She was planning to have the post production party at her house when my Dad had an accident and died. She already had a freezer full of finger foods and the house was prepped. She just told everyone the visitation with family would be at her house. The townspeople dropped by for a few minutes, or stayed a while to visit. Some friends had pizzas delivered to the house (I thought that was both thoughtful and hysterical!) Some people obviously were just there for us (Dad wasn't exactly a "people person") My uncle hit Mom up for money in the kitchen ("So did he have a good life ins. policy?" "Guess you won't be needing his truck now.") A little bit of everything. We were more comfortable and more ourselves at home and many more people were able to come there than would have made it to the funeral home (about 40 minutes away).

 

[SunKat]

I attended a wake tonight and saw something I've never seen before at a wake, but I like the idea.....the priest said "since this is an Irish wake, everyone stand up and give "Mary" (the deceased) a round of applause." What better way to end a wake? It was great! The woman who died had ten grown children, tons of grandchildren, and was loved by many, many, people. She got a big round of applause and even some whistles and hooting and hollering. A standing ovation for a wonderful woman. Brilliant idea, I thought!