At my dad's funeral I was honored to be asked by my 7 siblings to speak. I started by saying that Dad told me when he was delivering death benefit checks to folks he could tell if they were Christian the moment he was inside the house. Non Christians were in deep anguish, Christians less so.

Then I mentioned that in the family Dad was known to be an excellent and prolific story teller. Then I told five or six tales from Dad's life about things he did that were funny (gleaned from very enjoyable discussions with my family...many of us had different details about the same story) and we all laughed and cried together.

The saddest thing I have expereinced is when children die....the parents are beyond comforting in every experience of mine.

Old folks who have had a good life and are suffering is part of how life is supposed to go at least. Tell your favorite stories to each other and enjoy recounting the life of the guest of honor.

I read that Africans treat funerals as a joyous rememberence of a life well lived.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.