How many funerals have you been to in your life?

[mnrose]

Dozens and dozens. Grandparents, parents, in laws, friends, children of friends, brothers of friends, parents of friends. Many. Saddest: 12 year old son of a dear friend who died of cancer. Most interesting: brother of a Buddhist friend who committed suicide.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Hi Hadley,

I'm always interested to know how things are done in other places. What kind of funerary rituals are common in Germany right now?

HI Annette---I honestly don't know. One of DH's relatives died last year, but we were on a transatlantic cruises and not able to get off to get to the funeral---we visited his widow and the grave the following week once we got home.
That's truly the only funeral we would have been to since we moved here. No neighbors or coworker have passed---thankfully

 

[Kitty 34]

Being involved with the school for over 30 years....wayyyyy too many and most were school age.

 

[neverlandsky]

Haven't kept track. Family, friends, co-workers, and immediate family of friends & co-workers.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

Way too many, I cannot even begin to count.

 

[ronandannette]

Dozens and dozens. Grandparents, parents, in laws, friends, children of friends, brothers of friends, parents of friends. Many. Saddest: 12 year old son of a dear friend who died of cancer. Most interesting: brother of a Buddhist friend who committed suicide.

Do you mean you found the funeral itself to be interesting? The funeral home I worked at did a lot of business with that particular community. We had chanting monks from a local temple on speed-dial, a really big gong and a specially-constructed "burning room" for them to ritualistically dispose of all the decedents worldly possessions. It was interesting, and seems so very exotic compared to what most of us are used to.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Off the top of my head -
Grandfather
Father
5 or 6 co-workers (probably more)
mother
father-in-law
ex brother-in-law
step father-in-law
great aunt
aunt-in-law
2 uncles-in-law

 

[elphaba91]

I think 7 - 2 grandparents, my uncle, my sister, 2 for family friends’ children, 1 for another family friend. 3/7 were for children. There have also been a couple that I’ve played bagpipes at.

 

[low-key]

43 counting mine

 

[Julie's Haircut]

Not nearly enough. Probably several dozen. I like funerals, but haven't been to one in a few years.

 

[ronandannette]

Not nearly enough. Probably several dozen. I like funerals, but haven't been to one in a few years.

Shhhh, don't fly your freak flag so high. I'm no death fan but I have always been fascinated by funerary rites and rituals - so much so that I spent time in the industry. It's not a field for everyone but I found many parts of it very satisfying.

 

[starry_solo]

2 so far, services not burials.

Sis has been to 4. Two of her close friends from work passed away, both unexpectedly.

 

[Poohforyou]

Too many. I remember being at my great great aunt's funeral when I was 6 and then 2 years later was my dad's. Many, many more since then. Lots more wakes than funerals.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

Just my father's a year and a half ago. It was a double whammy though... At 30 I was planning AND attending my own father's funeral.

 

[mnrose]

Do you mean you found the funeral itself to be interesting? The funeral home I worked at did a lot of business with that particular community. We had chanting monks from a local temple on speed-dial, a really big gong and a specially-constructed "burning room" for them to ritualistically dispose of all the decedents worldly possessions. It was interesting, and seems so very exotic compared to what most of us are used to.

Yes. The funeral itself was interesting. Different, but then again not. Many of the same sentiments expressed as at a Christian funeral. That was most surprising to me. But, also rituals, etc that were not the same. Plus the belief that the decedent had ascended to enlightenment, despite the suicide.

 

[RedAngie]

Maybe about 50. That includes full funeral rites, viewings, memorial (or life celebration) services, etc. I wouldn't go as far as saying I "like" funerals, but they never bothered me.

Funerals are the only times I get to see some family members.

 

[GrimGrinningGhost85]

If we are counting wakes/celebrations of life as well I've been to 9. 4 of them happened in the same year.

1997: My grandfather (my dad's father) he died of lung cancer. I was 12.
1998: Family friend. Died of a hard attack. I was 13.
2004: My uncle. He had cirrhosis of the liver. I was 19.
2006: My cousin, she died from complications of HIV/AIDS (Her boyfriend was unaware he had HIV and my cousin already had a health issue.) I was 21.
2006: Family friend. Drug overdose. Again I was 21.
2009: My grandfather (my mom's father) he had diabetes but he died of a heart attack. I was 24.
2016: My grandmother (my mom's mother) she had died from liver cancer. Quite quickly. She was diagnosed and within a month she was gone. Her funeral was two days after my 31st birthday.
2017: Godfather's mother. I assume she died of old age. I was 31 but a few weeks shy of turning 32.
2017: My grandmother (my dad's mother) she had Alzheimer's Disease. Died a month after I turned 32.

I don't plan on going to anymore unless it's for my parents.

 

[Colleen27]

I only go if it is very close family so I've only been to a few. My brother, two of my four grandparents (one didn't have a service, the other was while we were away and my mom & I decided Grandma wouldn't have wanted me to rush the kids home for it), my best friend's daughter, and a few of DH's relatives because he asked me to be there with him. Maybe 5 or 6 total?

 

[kdonnel]

2 for family members of friends.

I didn’t have a funeral for either of my parents at their request and hope that my kids or wife don’t waste money having a funeral for me.

 

[sk!mom]

I couldn't even begin to count.