If you're like me and enjoy a good dose of Dear Abby now and then, you'll probably agree with the letters from her readers that she shared in one of her columns. Something tells me Abigail Van Buren will have a fabulous Celebration of Life.

August 31, 2010

Dear Abby: Funerals celebrating life bring comfort to the living

Dear Abby: Your advice to "Pam in Springfield, Ohio" (July 14), whose husband didn't want to go to his mother's funeral, was right on.
A memorial service can be a very different experience than a funeral with the casket present. One of the classiest ones I ever attended was at an art museum, with a jazz trio and a display of the deceased's artwork all around. After listening to some wonderfully funny stories about the nifty lady we were there to honor, there was wine and finger food and cordial sharing of fond memories.
My advice to any family is to start talking about funerals now, before the big event, sharing what you like and what you don't about funerals. There is never only one way to do it.
Lisa


Dear Lisa: Agreed. Read On:

Dear Abby: Sadly, both of my parents passed away within two years of each other. Instead of a funeral we held a Celebration of Life Memorial Service. (They both wanted to be cremated, so we did not have to deal with a coffin.) Abby, the celebration was beautiful for both. We created slide shows and poster boards of their lives, told funny stories about them, and had people get up randomly if they had their own stories to share. Yes, it was sad because we miss our parents dearly ... but it has also been much easier dealing with our loss when remembering their service as a celebration of their lives.
Missing Mom And Dad, Eugene, Ore.


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