Mini's thread about weddings and funerals had me intrigued. So did Mulans reply about having a private and separate service.
Well, I've referred to this before, but it might be of interest to those who haven't been here too long.
Back in the early 80's, the idea of having a body-less funeral was put forward by some dubs in the UK. No coffin, casket, whatever you might call it, simply an inspiring talk in the KH while the deceaseds remains were disposed of by the local undertaker.
We're talking of a cremation or burial where no-one attends. No-one at all.
My Dad and his witness male friends were all for this idea, and made it known that when they expired, their corpses were simply to be disposed of with no ceremony whatsoever. No wives, children, no-one at all.
In my Dad's group of pals, the first to die was Ron Darnell, a PO from greater London. Ron had been an eminent jazz trumpet player in his time and had even managed to convert the renowned saxophonist Don Rendell to dubdom.
There was no funeral for Ron, just a short talk in the KH that wasn't even related to the time of his cremation. Everyone marvelled at this new idea, how refreshing, no morbidity whatsoever!
Hmm.
Later that year, my Dad also died. Again, there was no funeral. I attended the KH talk and refused point blank to speak to any of those present, except for my Mother, who I thought needed all the support she could get rather than the ludicrous pretence that it was somehow improper to grieve.
It was absolutely awful. There was no closure, no saying goodbye, no tears, nothing at all to say goodbye to except for his shoes which were still under his favourite chair.
I don't know if this practise still goes on, buy my Mother has now said that she too wants a body-less funeral when her time comes.
..and I think it's a dreadful idea.
Ah well.
Englishman.