The truth about Australian funerals

Tweet

MyLotter @xFiacre just posted wondering what Australian funerals are like. You can catch up here: https://www.mylot.com/post/3402749/australian-funerals. I couldn’t let his remarks go unchallenged so, being one of the few Australians on myLot, I thought I should perhaps assure Fiacre and others that we do actually have funerals. Cremations are very popular nowadays too. Many are conducted by a religious celebrant; others have civil services which are normally equally as dignified and respectful. There may be a service in a church or funeral parlour then everyone, or most, gather at the graveside for the interment, if there is one. Afterwards, there is usually a light meal or refreshments served in a suitable venue, usually with a good supply of alcohol so the departed can be given a ‘good send-off’. Certainly some funerals might be a bit ‘different’. The coffin of one elderly gentleman was transported to the church and graveside on the back of vintage truck that he had restored. After the ceremony, a keg (of beer) which happened to be conveniently on the truck was cracked and a good time had by all. Some funerals have a guard of honour for the deceased depending on their work/hobbies/etc.. So yes, we do have quite conventional funerals. The photo is from the time we took my Dad’s headstone to a stonemason to have my mother’s names added. Note the surname, my maiden name. Sweet by name and sweet by nature.