If you've ever stifled a giggle at a funeral, this is for you
Funerals are something that the vast majority of us have experienced at one time or another, and they never get any easier.
It goes without saying that a funeral is a traumatic event, but it's also a ceremony that is a necessary part of the grieving process.
When they say that 'laughter is the best medicine', however, we're not entirely sure that that extends to funerals. However, spurred on by comedian/actor/TV host Andy Richter, people have been sharing stories of inappropriate things happening at the sad events that will undoubtedly raise a chuckle.
"If you don't laugh, you'll cry" has never rung so true.
Was just reminded of something. You ever been part of a poorly-stifled group giggle for at a funeral? That happened when we noticed the family plot next to where we were burying my grandma, which was a combo of two families. The big headstone said Goode-Eaton.
— Andy Richter (@AndyRichter) August 25, 2019
At my grandfather’s funeral, mourners were lined up to walk past the casket and a woman somehow stepped on the hem of her own elastic-waisted skirt, managing to pull it down.
— KPH (@k_perryhopkins) August 25, 2019
When I was in the 7th grade, a bunch of us went to the funeral for a teacher's husband. He had been a party clown, so some asshole decided to come to the funeral in full clown makeup. The sight of a clown in the communion line was more than my friends and I could handle.
— Sarah Armento (@NoSarahOnlyZuul) August 25, 2019
At his mother burial, as he and his brothers were lowering her casket into the ground, husband said "Let's let mom down one more time." All wound up giggling so hard they almost dropped her..
— Ginevra ? (@DbGinevra) August 25, 2019
My grandpa’s funeral: we played his recorded piano music, when my aunt remembered he also recorded himself saying: “that’s it, that’s the end, there ain’t no more”. We were poorly-stifling laughs, waiting for the moment his voice pronounced the end at this own funeral.
— Colleen Clare (@Coll_McColl) August 25, 2019
At my Grandmother's graveside service.
Cemetary is next to the local high school athletic feild.
The HS band is practicing what song?
"Another one bites the dust"— TMF CLUB (@TMFCLUB1) August 25, 2019
At my uncle’s funeral, he had a small plain wooden casket. I leaned over to my family and said, I really thought Ted was taller than that. One person would try not to laugh and that would set off someone else. Even my mother got the giggles. Something she was not prone to do.
— Suzanne C (@SudioC) August 25, 2019
My (at the time) 2yo daughter ripped a juicy one during a solemn moment at her great-great grandma’s catholic funeral. Someone said “Maxine would’ve approved” (very true) and we all lost it.
— Heidi Hesser (@HeidiHesser) August 25, 2019
My cousins & I at our grandfather's funeral. The choir was earnestly performing the saddest most off tune version of Amazing Grace we'd ever heard. We were laughing so hard we were in tears. The laughter felt like a gift though, like he thought it ridiculous as well. pic.twitter.com/sSmkbVb7is
— Solivagant Practitioner of that Tsundoku Life (@Imaget) August 25, 2019