So I went to a funeral this morning

[Hornius Emeritus]

A good friend of mine's father died last Tuesday. Because he had lived out of town and because I met my friend here in Austin, I had never met his father. Anyway, he was 80 years old and died after a long battle with prostate cancer.

So I was at the funeral this morning and, though it was quite moving, I maintained my composure, until my friend's brother got up to talk about their dad.

He said that he never appreciated, when he was a kid, how hard his father worked to provide for his mom and his brothers. Then he said "the last thing I'd like to do is brag about this suit that I am wearing. It was my father's. I picked it out of his closet yesterday morning. So, you see, he's still providing for me. Thanks, dad."

And that's when I got pretty emotional.

 

[OrangeBlooded]

unfortunately, i've also had good friends of mine speak at their own father's funeral. how tragic.

 

[Bluepies]

Better than speaking at your son's funeral.

 

[Art Vandelay]

I watched my father give a eulogy at my grandfather's funeral a couple of years ago. Everyone was very emotional. We weren't sure he'd get through it, but he nailed it to perfection. I was really proud of him.

 

[OrangeBlooded]

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[gardere_owns_OU]

i don't know how i'll recover when my father passes away. like so many of you, i am blessed to have an amazing relationship with my pops. it will break me when he's gone.

 

[l00p]

I did not have to give a eulogy or speak at my Dad's funeral which is just short of one year ago. I would have but did not have to. I am glad. There was enough going on that I was better off with the people in attendance.

I have, however, had to speak at the funeral for a friend. I also was the person to inform his fiance the evening of his death. I had to go meet her at the airport since he was not going to be able to, obviously. This was not the way I would have liked to have met his mother (I had met his Dad before) or the rest of his family.

It was brutal. To know that a parting memory of him for some would be words I uttered while looking into their faces is something I am not sure how I pulled it off. I guess because I had to, I did.

I also got to be the one present when a cop found his head that was separated from his body at the scene of the accident. F you, drunk drivers who kill.

 

[RC Didnt Offer]

I would not have been able to speak at the funerals for either of my parents. Kudos to those who have that place they can go to get through something that tough. The 3rd most painful moment of my life was having to tell my five year old that grandma was now in heaven. That breaks my heart everytime I think about it.

For me, the family graveside memorial is where I get to say my goodbyes. Just me, my brothers, and a few select friends and family.

 

[fly524]

The timing of this thread is ironic. My own father, age 89, passed away on Tuesday. He was in very poor health and we knew the end was near. It is still extremely tough.

My 17 year daughter did a beautiful job of telling her memories of him. By the time she was done I was too broken up to say mine.

He and my mom were together almost 70 years. She is suffering from extreme lonliness now.

 

[Hornius Emeritus]

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[rhorn27]

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[gardere_owns_OU]

thanks for sharing, rhorn.

 

[kevwun]

My grandpa died in August, my grandma in January and now my aunt is dying of cancer. It's been a ****** 6 months.

 

[lnghrngrl]

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[bdog33]

My mother passed away when I was 9 (I'm 19 now). It didn't really hit me until the funeral when I heard my dad (my parents got divorced when I was 4) talk. I have to say that if I didn't have my twin sister Amanda by me I don't know if I would have made it through those days. But I recovered and remember my mom's life as motivation, because she taught me to always help others.

 

[Dionysus]

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[Son of a Son]

When my father passed, his best friend gave the eulogy so I was spared. I didn't really break down until the graveside service when my mom had them play "their" song "Colour My World". I'm not ashamed to admit I cried like a little girl. I was 25 at the time.

When my grandpa died last year, I gave a euology. It was in a catholic church, but to honor my memories of him, I put on my UT baseball cap just before speaking. I think that simple act was the one thing that kept me from losing it. He and I were every bit as close as my father and I.

Funerals SUCK.

 

[Huckleberry]

I spoke at my mother's service. I was 23 (she died of stomach cancer at 47 in 2001). Most difficult thing, emotionally, that I've ever done. I don't remember much about it, to be honest, but I remember that while I was up there I nearly passed out. I assume I cried while speaking but really don't remember.

 

[HornHawk]

My dad died a couple of weeks ago. I thought attending his funeral would be the saddest day of my life, but instead it was a great celebration of a great man.

I'll miss him, but I won't miss seeing him suffering from all that pain.