I've commented before on the nature of small town funerals, but the subject bears a closer look. First off, people should not die during the hottest weeks of summer, especially when the church lacks air conditioning. If it is so equipped, then setting off for the after-life during the hot days would be a blessing for the community. But the local church doesn't have it and let's face it, situated as it is, in Northern Ontario, air conditioning is not something worth separating parishioners from their money for.
Secondly, pastors should definitely base the length of their services not on the number of high points in the deseased life, but rather on the significance of the presence or absence of said device.
That asside, it was a normal small town funeral. People greeting friends and relatives that they haven't seen since the last funeral, or wedding. People getting reaquainted, catching up on news, recalling past glories, etc. People checking out the goody table, searching for Mrs. whats-her-name's peanut butter parsteries, etc. In short, as a social event, it was a hit.
Which brings me to the point I wanted to make. And that is that in the end,when you have done your thing and thrown it all asside for something better, the significance of that life, those years of toil and sweat, of struggle and pain, of greed and generosity, in short, your own hard fought contribution to the world in general, the very significance of your life, may actually be little more than a one or two hour social event.
