Issue 44.14
The following is a quote from a post that recently appeared on ChicagoNow.com. “I’ve never understood the reasons behind the funeral procession. Anyone who’s spent any time driving has been caught by one. They’re hard to miss; a long line of cars with orange flags flying, their headlights on and their emergency flashers blinking. They run every light that gets in their way and hold up traffic and generally get in the way. And it’s time we outlawed them.” The author went on to complain that funeral processions are a “massive inconvenience,” a “silly practice,” and are “completely useless” now that everyone has “GPS and smartphones” to find their way to the cemetery. The author’s own choice of words, “I’ve never understood,” define the problem perfectly. In my opinion, this individual does possess a complete lack of understanding.
In today’s fast-paced, modern society, the value of a funeral tends to be overlooked. This is an unfortunate trend because, in general, funerals facilitate the healing process. The family gathers together, views the deceased, shares memories, and proceeds to the cemetery for burial. These are important elements that should not be overlooked or taken for granted. Funerals are balm to the souls of the grieving and allow proper respect to be paid to the deceased. Eliminating portions of a funeral is a great disservice to the family. We should not detract from what is meant to be a meaningful experience. In a rebuttal to the above-mentioned post, Alan D. Wolfelt shared a poignant quote from T.S. Eliot, “You can have an experience and miss the meaning.”
The purpose of a funeral cortège (procession) is to allow friends and family the opportunity to show respect. The word cortège literally means “to pay honor.” Community members shouldn’t mind slowing down or moving aside as someone’s loved one takes their final journey. It gives us the opportunity to offer our respect by taking just a moment out of our busy lives to slow down or pull over. A well-lived life that has come to an end is a valuable thing and deserves our reverence.
Serenity Funeral Home offers respectful and dignified funeral care. We are fair, honest, and stand behind everything we do. Please stop by our office to obtain a free, no-obligation pre-planning guide. We are located just off Riverside Drive at 1316 S. 400 E., St. George, UT, (435) 986-2085, www.SerenityStG.com.