Another funeral....

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Another funeral, this is our third is that many months. And the interesting thing is how different each of them has been. Bishop Smith, presiding and conducting at this one for Gordon Loveridge, remarked that Mormon funerals are very formal and hoped that we would all find a way to get around and socialize with each other. Of course hoping that something will happen and actually making it happen are two different things.

Gordon's funeral was followed immediately by the interment at the cemetery after which it looked like there was a light lunch prepared for the family. So, unless you went to the cemetery or stayed around the chapel waiting a while, there just wasn't any chance for socializing. All the visiting had to happen at last night's viewing or perhaps this morning before the funeral. I can't help thinking that Shannah's mom's funeral was better in that regard. Since her "celebration of life" was held 3 weeks after she died, the guests could go right from the life celebration to the snacks and conversation.

Another thing we're finding essential is a good eulogy, preferably with lots of comments on the humor side so that people can catch the humanity of the recently deceased. I would rate all 3 funerals at least an A on that. You think you know someone most of their life and then you hear the eulogy and decide you really knew nothing about him or her.

In my opinion, one thing that is not necessary is the standard lecture on the "Plan of Salvation" or "Plan of Happiness". All us missionaries used it for funerals we conducted in the field and I think it might even be prescribed by Church Handbook of Instructions. The lecture was given this morning by a son-in-law, and done very well. It was missing in the other two funerals we've gone to this spring. I didn't miss it.

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