Post by tiptoes on Sept 13, 2021 15:05:34 GMT
I was watching one of the early episodes of Heartbeat and this widow was lamenting that she couldn't give her husband a funeral because he wanted his body to be donated to medical science. Lovable rogue, Claude Greengrass, saw a way round by persuading his lugubrious undertaker mate, Bernie Scripps, to use a coffin filled with sand to recreate a proper service and nobody would be any the wiser. But as fate would decree, Oscar Blaketon was one of the pall bearers along with Claude and PC Alf Ventress and not only was the coffin overly heavy but started leaking the sand. By the book Oscar immediately called a halt to proceedings as it was sacrilege and violated ancient laws but fortunately Alf said no harm would be done and his widow would be aggrieved if the funeral was stopped so all went ahead without further hitch.
And of course it was traditional with sombre music, a hymn and black dress code paying due deference to the solemn occasion. But now, as life is getting more and more dumbed down funerals are becoming increasing tawdry. Bright colours, a bespoke coffin, naff pop music are all part of the process. Songs like I did it My Way are becoming corny, wearing football shirts of the team the deceased supported are an irritating common nuance. My misses attended a funeral of an old woman in her late 80s and the accompanying music as the coffin was carried in was Dancing Queen by ABBA, which might have just been apt for Wayne Sleep but the mind boggles in this situation. Even 15 years ago my daughter's former schoolmate died at a tragically young age of 21 and they were told to wear odd socks!
I cant help feeling these tacky gimmicks are a way to try and disguise the emotions of sadness which would manifest itself and instead celebrate a life with meaningless showiness that is inappropriate. Wedding ceremonies are becoming increasingly tasteless and off the wall but at least the couple are alive to participate unlike funerals where the guests have to suffer alone and the deceased is oblivious.
And of course it was traditional with sombre music, a hymn and black dress code paying due deference to the solemn occasion. But now, as life is getting more and more dumbed down funerals are becoming increasing tawdry. Bright colours, a bespoke coffin, naff pop music are all part of the process. Songs like I did it My Way are becoming corny, wearing football shirts of the team the deceased supported are an irritating common nuance. My misses attended a funeral of an old woman in her late 80s and the accompanying music as the coffin was carried in was Dancing Queen by ABBA, which might have just been apt for Wayne Sleep but the mind boggles in this situation. Even 15 years ago my daughter's former schoolmate died at a tragically young age of 21 and they were told to wear odd socks!
I cant help feeling these tacky gimmicks are a way to try and disguise the emotions of sadness which would manifest itself and instead celebrate a life with meaningless showiness that is inappropriate. Wedding ceremonies are becoming increasingly tasteless and off the wall but at least the couple are alive to participate unlike funerals where the guests have to suffer alone and the deceased is oblivious.
