I'm so old I Remember when:

[MROO]

I do have nice black slacks I would wear to a funeral.

Funerals can be funny, actually.

Funerals have always been a regular part of my life. My family is huge and seriously multi-generational. Just my first cousins span 60 years. Aunts, uncles and subsequent generations cover the 40 on either side of that, so we are/were always attending funerals.

With one exception, when my Godfather's early death hit me so hard I collapsed, I have happy and yes, fun/funny memories of them all. The services (yes, wearing black) were always somber, but the celebration afterwards was always upbeat - full of stories, laughter and really good food. What can I say? We're Italian!

So, I have to agree with @BigBlueHen53, despite the inherent sadness, funerals can be funny. In fact, some have turned out to be absolute blasts. Yes, I'm lookin' at you, Aunt Jo and Big Johnny!

 

[notabitail]

Funerals have always been a regular part of my life. My family is huge and seriously multi-generational. Just my first cousins span 60 years. Aunts, uncles and subsequent generations cover the 40 on either side of that, so we are/were always attending funerals.

With one exception, when my Godfather's early death hit me so hard I collapsed, I have happy and yes, fun/funny memories of them all. The services (yes, wearing black) were always somber, but the celebration afterwards was always upbeat - full of stories, laughter and really good food. What can I say? We're Italian!

So, I have to agree with @BigBlueHen53, despite the inherent sadness, funerals can be funny. In fact, some have turned out to be absolute blasts. Yes, I'm lookin' at you, Aunt Jo and Big Johnny!

My Great Grandmother died and we went to her funeral. Sad, but the reception afterwards was mostly not sad. Lots of family I don't even know was there. And pizza.

 

[MROO]

My Great Grandmother died and we went to her funeral. Sad, but the reception afterwards was mostly not sad. Lots of family I don't even know was there. And pizza.

Pizza is a given.
Pizza is good.
Pizza is happy-making!

 

[EmmaDonovan]

I don't remember many funerals when I was a kid. Nowadays deaths seem to happen close together. I had to buy a second dress so I'd have one to wear when the other is at the cleaners.

I agree funerals can be joyous as well as sad! As they say: funerals are for the living, not the dead. They often end up being big family reunions and pizza is always good.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

My Great Grandmother died and we went to her funeral. Sad, but the reception afterwards was mostly not sad. Lots of family I don't even know was there. And pizza.

I remember an episode of ... what was it, the Mary Tyler Moore Show? Where the main character was berating other characters about remembering funny things about the deceased prior to the funeral and saying it wasn't respectful ... only to seriously crack up herself during the funeral, trying hard not to. Or was it Carol Burnett? I just remember rolling on the floor crying with laughter, I think it was the funniest thing I ever saw. Anybody remember this?

 

[BigBlueHen53]

I seriously hope people will laugh when they remember me.

 

[EmmaDonovan]

I seriously hope people will laugh when they remember me.

I agree! Pizza and laughter at my funeral. I should put that in my will.

 

[Sally PB]

I remember an episode of ... what was it, the Mary Tyler Moore Show? Where the main character was berating other characters about remembering funny things about the deceased prior to the funeral and saying it wasn't respectful ... only to seriously crack up herself during the funeral, trying hard not to. Or was it Carol Burnett? I just remember rolling on the floor crying with laughter, I think it was the funniest thing I ever saw. Anybody remember this?

Yes, that was The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Chuckles the Clown was dressed up like a peanut (IIRC) and was trampled by an elephant. Everyone thought it was funny, except Mary. Then, at the funeral, she gets a fit of the giggles as they talk about it, and is trying to hold them in. The Officiant (if that's the right word) told her to go ahead and laugh, as that is what Chuckles would have wanted. Then she bursts into tears.

I heard that they script was just a bit short, but they didn't need to worry: the characters were laughing so hard that that filled in the needed minute or two.

 

[EmmaDonovan]

I remember an episode of ... what was it, the Mary Tyler Moore Show? Where the main character was berating other characters about remembering funny things about the deceased prior to the funeral and saying it wasn't respectful ... only to seriously crack up herself during the funeral, trying hard not to. Or was it Carol Burnett? I just remember rolling on the floor crying with laughter, I think it was the funniest thing I ever saw. Anybody remember this?

Was that the Chuckles the Clown funeral episode? (No idea how I remembered that.)

 

[EmmaDonovan]

Yes, that was The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Chuckles the Clown was dressed up like a peanut (IIRC) and was trampled by an elephant. Everyone thought it was funny, except Mary. Then, at the funeral, she gets a fit of the giggles as they talk about it, and is trying to hold them in. The Officiant (if that's the right word) told her to go ahead and laugh, as that is what Chuckles would have wanted. Then she bursts into tears.

I heard that they script was just a bit short, but they didn't need to worry: the characters were laughing so hard that that filled in the needed minute or two.

Ah, you beat me to it!