Honoring a Life: A Glimpse into Contemporary Funeral Practices

Abstract

Instructor’s Name PART 1: Attending a Funeral. Last week I attended a funeral of a prominent retired politician Lee Grey, who served as a district attorney in the state of Colombia. Skimming on what was taking place, I realized a funeral has various departmental roles and activities surrounding it. I intended to get a grasp of the funeral setting. It was a very informative ordeal, and I learned a lot. I arrived early and managed to grasp everything from the start to the end. PART TWO: Reflection Paper. Funerals are a very powerful setting converging people from different localities and giving the characters involved an opportunity to reflect on the past. Death is inevitable, and we are forced to bid our loved ones goodbye as we wait for ours. Attending the funeral was one of the most informative steps in ascertaining the happenings of a funeral. The funeral needs a distinct organization to grace the family, friends, and mourners throughout the occasion. This is where the funeral director comes in. The funeral director oversees the funeral from embalming to the end, where the body is cremated or buried. The privilege of attending Lee Grey’s funeral ceremony and garnering first-hand information shed light on the various scenes at the funeral. I did not know Lee Grey, nor did I ever meet him, except for his prominent name as a lucrative politician in the State of Colombia. We attended the funeral with a friend. As we drove down the runway, the notion of death was entrenched in my mind with imaginations and hallucinations of hell. I didn’t imagine heaven; after all, we do every day wrong, and the wrath of God was upon my life. Finally, my friend put the car to a halt. It was the gate, and eventually, mood, anxiety, and confusion hit me. I should pray. I remembered I had to be objective, and immediately it was calm. Then cemeteries were old, some in ruins scotched by the harsh weather. The place was lonely and solemn but organized and cheerful to suit the occasion. At the gate, I secured a memorial service folder; I felt it holy when we were welcomed in an elegant erected chapel where a woman of middle age welcomed us to the holy church. It was the funeral director. I then resented my sit. The priest introduced a moving theme of life after death which we all conformed to without question. The family was dressed in a black array, and all sat in a state of melancholy. I could see people around the deceased's wife comforting her as she shed tears with grief. His four children were not happy either; I could see the anguish on their faces. Prolific leaders from Colombia and neighboring states were present to mourn their compatriots. It was comforting and reassuring for the family, yet a loss to bear. The reading of speeches followed the church session. One by one, friends, family, and community representatives spoke. They read their encomiums with grief, and I could see the genuineness in their faces. Undoubtedly, the deceased was loved in the community for his contribution to community service. It was heartbreaking for his daughter, who broke down in agony at a loss. I could feel the emptiness in their hearts. They were disappointed. I could see many people cry at the funeral. Why do people cry? Ideally, the person had a role in their lives, and other mourners joined to share grief to mourn the deceased. It was time for body viewing, and within no time, I found myself sorrowful viewing the body. The corpse lay faint and bold in the casket. I realized that keeping the casket open was essential for the family to accept the reality of death. His Elder son Don Grey read his eulogy with courage. He expressed his father as a hardworking man committed to public service and a man who valued family. He recalls his life as replicable, assuring the mourners he left having given his all.” I have fought the...