Aren't funeral receptions weird? An hour after the somber funeral and burial, everyone is squabbling over food, laughing and joking. And those who aren't are almost browbeat into eating by the usually older family members.

Yeah I'm not crazy about them at all.

They turn into parties in my family. After you mourn the death....you celebrate the life.

The only funeral reception I ever enjoyed was at our house when my father died, and the place was packed inside and out with friends and old timers (not many relatives) and lots of good food. Didn't feel guilty at all. My dad was a social bird who liked people, and he would have approved.

The wake is usually like one big reunion then then the celebration after. Supposedly its to celebrate the life of the deceased, personally I could do without the after party.

I would much rather have the (respectful) party atmosphere than witness the competition between the widow and his sisters as to who could mourn the loudest. Have you ever been to a funeral where someone had to be restrained from throwing themselves on the csaket as it was being lowered? I know Tony has 'cause he's Italian.

I don't enjoy them.

I've actually started bringing my camera to any funeral receptions I go to--it's a bit morbid at the time, snapping pictures, but afterwards, everyone really is glad to see the photos.

Unfortunately, it seems that the only time some families (like mine) get together is weddings and funerals, so I figure why not get a few pictures--everyone's together. I don't do anything disrespectful, though, like photograph the coffin, but for the most part, it seems to make others more able to focus on celebrating the life, not the loss.

Alan Smithee wrote:

Have you ever been to a funeral where someone had to be restrained from throwing themselves on the csaket as it was being lowered? I know Tony has 'cause he's Italian.

What's kinda-sorta' funny about this, is that my brother Tony (yep, that's his name) dang near did just that at his wife's service. (But we're Azoreans, not Italian.)

It was the hardest funeral I ever attended.

Hyacinth Girl wrote:

I've actually started bringing my camera to any funeral receptions I go to--it's a bit morbid at the time, snapping pictures, but afterwards, everyone really is glad to see the photos.

Unfortunately, it seems that the only time some families (like mine) get together is weddings and funerals, so I figure why not get a few pictures--everyone's together. I don't do anything disrespectful, though, like photograph the coffin, but for the most part, it seems to make others more able to focus on celebrating the life, not the loss.

It's a good idea.

My daughter's funeral was likely the ONLY time that both sides of our family will ever be together. I really, really wish I or someone had thought about photographs when everyone gathered at our house. But at the time it was the farthest thing from my mind.

It is kind of weird but I don't mind it as much if it's kept at the after party. But the funeral is something that should be solemn and respectful, IMO.

Nystyle709 wrote:

A typical Southern Baptist funeral.

I didn't know southern baptists were Italian. Learn something new everyday!

Alan Smithee wrote:

I didn't know southern baptists were Italian. Learn something new everyday!

I should rephrase that. A typical southern Baptist black folks funeral. Most Italians are Catholic. I can't imagine their funerals to be anything other than somber.

I can't speak for all Italian families but the two funerals I went to were loud. Maybe it's just Brooklyn.