And The Whole Town Came.........  

hi spark....that is great what they did. and it is interesting hearing about the lives of those who have died. to answer your question the last time i went to a funeral that was a non-relative or friend. one that involved many people because it was a tragedy. a house fire took the lives of a baby and child. it was a very sad ceremony. and the worst part was the grieving mother. the fire started because the mother was up early warming the baby bottle. she didn't use a microwave because she wanted to be as healthy as possible, so she warmed the bottle on the stove. being sleep deprived with a baby that wakes her up often, she fell asleep while the bottle was warming. she woke up to a fire that blocked her from the rest of the house. she went outside frantically to try to get in and reach her children, but alas could not. a neighbor called 911. she lost her two children. and the funeral brought tears for most people.

I've been to a few large memorial/funerals but nothing as grand as the one you've described. You just keep baking, that should keep you out of trouble for a little while

That is nice that the whole town pitches in and helps remember and bury the dead, Sparks. But with one church, looks like they would lend it to have a funeral. Here, the people either have it in the funeral home chapel, or at a church. But, then, there are churches 'on every corner'...not really out here in the country. But you have your choice any where. Lots of people opt to have their viewing and funeral all in the funeral home now days. It does sound nice, though, with the bag pipes playing those two great hymns.

Hi spark,

That's good..I know your presence means so much to them!
I have to "laugh" with the rules of that Catholic Church! I am Roman Catholic but....anyway! So much about it, that's what they believed!

Last time I attended thing like that was the man who sponsor a scholarship to the university where I graduated..He helped a lot of students financially and almost all of those students are very successful now in their respective career!
His family from USA didn't show up, and we don't know why! We tried to call his son but it was the time when this man can't talk anymore!
Anyway, it was very touching and we feel really the love and care of the people who attended and were not really relatives!

Och tis the bagpipes that does it! They always give me the shivers and bring tears to my eyes when they play a 'hymn' on the pipes. There's nothing like it.

Let's see....it wasn't my town but I once attended a biker's Toy Run for handicapped children. The route was down the main street. Encased in our leathers, as it was quite cold, we all rode with various toys strapped to our bikes. We passed a US Marine recruiting station. This still gets me teary-eyed. 2 young Marines stepped out of the station, and snapped to attention. They stood that way through the entire parade of bikers. Stiff and proud and honoring their fellow soldiers. You may be aware that there are A LOT of vets in biker groups. It was one of the most reverent respectful things I have ever witnessed and I will never forget it....never! Yip, I cried.

It has been years Spark. I applaud you and your efforts and I think you undermine yourself when it comes to what you do and your qualities.
It sounds like you had a wonderful day that would delight anyone that attended and all of us that didn't. Even though the reason was one that most of us dread having to deal with. We all do our part on these occasions. Some do more, and I'm sure you are one that does more, lol.
Rest those tired feet, no dancing tonight. Or less dancing under our moonlight. Have a nice relaxing drink and be ready for tomorrow.

Hi sparky,

Our town is small but not too small and we don't have anything like that here, if antone dies its normal church srevice with just family and close friends thats all, nobody really knows anybody so everyone goes about their own way and not bother.

Love Hugs.

Tamara

DOnt think I ever have. the most part of the town get togethrer was on decoration day at the grave yard and on one side of the church the food was set up think I cook somthing dont really remember but only went a couople of times and now they have stopped it for kids ruined that for us so they turned it into a parking lot.
no more picnics but we still go every 4th Sunday in MAy and set around where our people are and talk to all the people that come by. This happens in Tenn. SO I havent got out there for a few years.
and most of the people I knew has gone to the other side!

I'm sorry to hear about your loss and its great the whole town gets together for it. That says alot about your town. My brother died over in Iraq and he lived in a small town to, about 100 people and they all came to the funeral and supported our family. The military put it all together and it was nice. We had a big dinner after words to. I havent been able to go to another funeral.

I have never been involved in anything like that. The way you describe it seems very touching and wonderful that a town would get together and do this, like one big family. Wow is all I can say!