Speaking for the friends, we weren't sure where the family stood on the matter till afterwards. I was a pallbearer, in the front row and couldn't see everyone else's reaction. I'm sure the preacher was aware I, at least, was POd with his attitude.
Conversely, an older cousin of mine died last summer. While not exactly estranged from her relatives, she 'had tun off with a biker dude' in the late 60s and not had much contact with the family since. At the service it was quite a mix of aging bikers, her hospice volunteers, her family, and her son's in-laws. (the son had married a 'society deb', his in-laws thought we were 'white trash' (FLOABT), lord only knows what they thought of the bikers, LOL)
Anyhow, her service was about as low key and understated as any service as I've been to. Her 'biker' family was just as heart felt stricken at her loss as the rest of us.
One of the more interesting funerals I've been to. One of her husband riding buddies recounted the snakebite story (she lived, snake didn't) through tears during the service. She had an amazing life.
I think her son is having an interesting life too . . . . . . .
Conversely, an older cousin of mine died last summer. While not exactly estranged from her relatives, she 'had tun off with a biker dude' in the late 60s and not had much contact with the family since. At the service it was quite a mix of aging bikers, her hospice volunteers, her family, and her son's in-laws. (the son had married a 'society deb', his in-laws thought we were 'white trash' (FLOABT), lord only knows what they thought of the bikers, LOL)
Anyhow, her service was about as low key and understated as any service as I've been to. Her 'biker' family was just as heart felt stricken at her loss as the rest of us.
One of the more interesting funerals I've been to. One of her husband riding buddies recounted the snakebite story (she lived, snake didn't) through tears during the service. She had an amazing life.
I think her son is having an interesting life too . . . . . . .
