Most unusual.....

a story from my upcoming book about my 35 years in funeral service

 

Most unusual requests...

 

     You never know what a family member is going to request of

you when you are talking to them about burying a loved one.

The tradition of burying a loved one with artifacts, letters,

favorite items, etc. actually started with the Egyptians... when

their mummies were tucked away in secret  chambers

surrounded by a vast amount of gold, personal items,

statures, and even stores of food for the afterlife.  The custom

remains today but the amount of actual items being buried has been

reduced....the range of items buried today reflect the same

categories of the ancients.

     So it was on a fine afternoon that a lady was making

funeral arrangements for her husband.  As most people know..

when a person is put in a casket for viewing today, a majority

of caskets are what we call ‘half couch’...that is, once the

deceased is dressed and put in the casket, only half of the

casket is open for viewing.... the bottom lid is closed and

a piece of interior is draped over the deceased at about the

mid line so viewers only see from the waist  up.

So as I sat in the arrangements room chatting with the widow,

the subject of his clothes came up.  She looked at me and

said, "I only have a nice blue sport coat, white shirt and red

tie, he doesnt need pants does he?"

Well, here was another first.  "Well"  I explained, "I guess you

wouldnt need to put pants on him, seeing that the bottom of the

casket is closed, and technically no one would know other than you

and I that he didnt have any on."

The woman displayed a small grin and continued, " well I cant

see putting pants on him, its just more expense, and well, knowing

him, he wouldnt be totally shocked going out with his knees showing."

I forced myself not to laugh out loud, the back of my throat straining to

keep the sound within.   "well, let's just plan on that then" I said as

I flipped thru the last of the documents for her to sign.

The day of the funeral arrived, his friends and family filed by the

casket giving all due respects and the minister made some comment

about the deceased always being one who would 'give his shirt off

his back'  to anyone in need...... um.... little did he know that the

shirt was not the article that was missing!

Reviews

[Woody]

the ending made me laugh. boy, I hope I'll be able to read your whole book. it's going to be a riot.
another good one, Stan.
btw, the only piece of mine that you've read had something to do with your job. may I ask you to take a peek at another one of mine "sturdy cloth" ?