"Not the The Wrong Wedding", "The Wrong Funeral"

[azure74]

The phone rang and my Son was on the line to tell me the sad news of the death of his Father-in Law. I had only met the Gentleman and his Wife on four occasions. They were a most charming couple, of the 'Old School'... went everywhere together, and even at 75 years of age had three annual holidays in Italy. I sometimes saw them out shopping holding hands, 'so romantic'

The dear wife sadly died after a fall and broken hip. The poor bereft Husband simply went to pieces and went to live in a luxury Rest Home. He had the means after working as a Civil Engineer most of his life Still he lost heart and pinned away to be with his beloved wife.

I decided to go to the Funeral and asked my Son for the details I'm sure he said Tuesday at 10-30am.. So I arranged to have the morning of work and even told my Daughter of my plans.
Suitably attired in black I arrived at the Cemetery Crematorium early to get a parking space

Looking around I could not see my son or his Family anywhere in view, They must be inside I presumed talking to the Vicar. Other people appeared and gathered round the Entrance and the all the Funeral Cars arrived driving very slowly to the Entrance with no Son in sight.
The doors finally opened and I joined the group going inside
I decided to sit near the back and trying to see over the tops of many heads thought I saw my Grandsons.

The service began with the usual Homage’s and I was surprised to hear the deceased loved playing darts in the local and had worked at Will's Tobacco Factory! Well I thought that must have been before he qualified as an Engineer. then there was a mention of how he took his Family to ' Bullins' He did not look the type. His Daughter then went into the Pulpit to give the Eulogy.

Well!... it certainly was not my Daughter -in -Law!! “My God" I thought. Please help me'..I'm at the wrong Funeral!! “I can't leave now it's so rude". The woman in the pulpit glanced at me looking puzzled; I however, carried on Praying and singing Hymns for a complete stranger.


The service ended and I was anxious to leave before I had to explain what i was doing there.
Luckily for me the Family went out the side door, and I went out the Main door after shaking hands with the Vicar as he thanked me for attending.

Out side the Entrance there was another Party waiting to go in. Still could not see my Son, so
I approached a lady and asked "Whose funeral is this" looking amazed she said "John”........”Oh no” I said “That's not him” and walked back to the car as fast as my legs would carry me.

I then drove to my Daughter who lived five minutes away and opening the door she said "How did the funeral go" “It was a lovely service" I replied. “But it was the wrong Funeral". “MUM! You haven't been to someone else’s Funeral" “Yes I have and I prayed for his soul too"
She then phoned her Brother to find out why he was not there. He replied " Because the Funeral is on Thursday morning" Later we did see the funny side, especially as people often go to the wrong Wedding, but trust me to go to wrong funeral. ....God rest his soul.

Amen.

[sherry]

Azure - you'll be pleased to know you're not alone. Some years ago I remember my sis-in-law saying she took her mum and aunt to the wrong funeral Not the sort of thing anyone would want to gatecrash, though

[voice]

Looking back we can always smile.... but never at the time.... well, some can.