I didn't cry at a funeral, but I'm not a bad person.

Philippines
September 5, 2012 12:44am CST
Many years ago, my family traveled six hours to attend a relative's funeral. I have only seen that relative twice: one was when I was a kid. I hardly remember his face. The second time was at his wake. My family was not close with him. I don't even know if he knew my name. On the day of the funeral, the entire clan paraded. I was at the back of the line, so I could see most of my relatives laughing and pushing each other. They seemed unaffected by the death of our relative. We arrived at a church and a mass was held. The priest called the entire clan and we went in front to have our pictures taken. As the other churchgoers looked at us, my relatives started crying (except the males). I was stunned. Were't they just laughing moments ago? I didn't shed a tear. I hardly know the person. But I do feel sorry for his death. A middle-aged lady looked at my crying relatives and looked sympathetic. When her gaze fell on me, she frowned. I was young back then, but I knew exactly what she was thinking. She thought I was a bad person for not crying. Her stare turned into a glare, and I stared back at her. She shook her head and seemed disturbed for seeing a girl so heartless. I wanted to shout back at her, "I'm not a bad person! Their tears aren't real!" Since that day, I don't easily believe in tears anymore. I learned that just because someone doesn't cry on a funeral doesn't make him a bad person.
3 people like this
5 responses
@asdomencil (4265)
• Philippines
5 Sep 12
Don't feel bad because you don't cry even you are really feel sorry for the loss of your relative. Maybe just because you are not too close to him that's why you don't feel the same as other relatives do. Tears are not the only measure for your sympathy. Furthermore, you cannot please anybody just like the lady that frowned on you. Sometimes, it is really hypocite to cry in fron of many people just to show how sorry you are in the loss of someone but deep inside you are not.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
6 Sep 12
Hi asdomencil. If my relatives were sincerely crying, I would have accepted the lady's disapproval of my behavior. But I know and my relatives know that they were faking it. You're right. Tears are not the only measure of sympathy. Maybe I was even sadder than my crying relatives. I was sad, because it was still a life lost, and I was sad for my dad who had lost his own dad.
1 person likes this
• India
6 Sep 12
Hi friend, you are right, most of the people are in this sort,. they are just living for the society and can do any thing to get reputation and image from the society, you are not a bad person, the persons whoever shed the fake tears are really bad persons
1 person likes this
@shello (964)
• United Arab Emirates
5 Sep 12
I don't think it does really matter if you shed a tear or not, what matters is your presence. If I would be in your shoes, I would have done the same. No tears at all.
@ryanong (9665)
• Vietnam
6 Sep 12
Don't think about her staring anymore friend, i am agree with you, and for sure you are not a bad person. Tears doesn't improve that she is a nice person. We feel very sorry but sometime we can't cry.
5 Sep 12
I think it's just ok only if you have kept your serious mien.You have only seen that relative,so,it is impossible to build some good relationship with him.So it's normal that you can't cry for him
1 person likes this