Late for the funeral service
By suspenseful
@suspenseful (40193)
Canada
March 14, 2009 1:25pm CST
Yesterday I went to the Mall to pay some bills, and I figured well I would be back in about forty minutes- just go to the counter, swipe the debit card, and that was that. Well there was a funeral at our church on that day, and even though I had half-gotten about it, I knew there was something coming up that afternoon.
However when I got to the place to pay the cable bill, there were three people at the counter who took almost half an hour to get things straightened up and it was not even a Saturday. (Oh I could have gone the day before, but it was a minus 30 wind chill and see if you like to walk three quarters of a mile in that.) So by the time I went home and past the church, I noticed all those cars, and the hearse, and I knew there was not enough time since the service was half over.
So I did not go and now I feel a little guilty, but I did not want to leave my husband alone for long.
I could see being five to fifteen minutes late, so if there was a wedding or a funeral at your church, what is the period of time you can go in after the service starts without feeling uncomfortable?
4 people like this
6 responses
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
16 Mar 09
I am terrible as if I am late then I enter a side door and sit with the choir. They giggle as they know why I am there. The Priest knows too but at least I don't disrupt the service!
2 people like this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
16 Mar 09
I could have gone in the back door, but that is usually for those who need wheelchairs.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
17 Mar 09
I did see them later, but I am not that good at giving condolences. Usually all I can do is to give a hug. For once, at these occasions, I am usually speechless.
1 person likes this
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
16 Mar 09
I think that I would have broken the rules so that I coluld have given my condolences to the family after the service.
2 people like this
@suzzy3 (8342)
•
16 Mar 09
For me personally it would not matter how late you were,it depends on what culture you are and what the system is you live in.Depends on what religion as well or personal choice would enter into it as well,it is whatever you feel comfortable with,you can always see the person afterwards and say you were thinking about them,comfort comes in many forms.
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
16 Mar 09
Usually here it is if you are just a little while late, it is all right, but if it is more then fifteen minutes you are too late unless it is because of a major blizzard of something.
1 person likes this
@danishcanadian (28953)
• Canada
10 Nov 09
I have never been late for something like that in my life, although I can understand the decision you made, in your situation. I am very neurotic when it comes to issues around time. I do remember playing the piano at a wedding where the bride was late because of something that came up with her little son. LOL That was pretty funny. I had to think of more songs to play that were not on our list, because she did not get there right away, and I didn't want to play the songs she'd reserved for the ceremony. LOL
1 person likes this
@goldeneagle (6745)
• United States
27 Jan 10
I don't see anything wrong with showing up a little late if you have to. I think it would be better to show up late than not to show up at all. I am sure the family of the deceased would understand, and if you were to sneak in and sit in the back of the room, it is likely that they would not have even noticed that you were late to begin with.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
14 Mar 09
I personally think you can go as late as you want, because the mourners don't care if you're late only that you are there to console them. You could also show up just as it's ending. Showing up is the only thing that matters.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
15 Mar 09
Thanks, I guess I could have gone in, but I was also worried about my husband and I could not go to the gravesite service.
@sudalunts (5523)
• United States
14 Mar 09
I for one am never late for things, I make it a point of being on time. I understand your case, you forgot about it. I am so stuck on punctuality, I think that if I was going to be late, I would not go at all. I feel, if I am invited to a wedding, it is not nice to miss the wedding but attend the reception, so if I were to be late I wouldn't go at all.
1 person likes this
