Fractured Funerals
A eulogy provides a glimpse into a person's life.
It can bring a tear to our eye, or as in the following excerpt, a smile to our faces.
Eddie was a stand-up comic whose career spanned back to vaudeville.
He played clubs in Atlantic City and New York, as well as resorts in the Catskills and Florida.
In the latter days of his life he became disoriented and was placed in a care facility.
Due to his condition he determined that this was not a care facility, it was a resort.
Furthermore, he was not a patient, he was the booked entertainment.
Several times each day he would stand and deliver a comedy routine.
Between his "engagements" he would flirt with the ladies as part of his "resort duties".
One day the facility's administrator called Eddie's nephew with a problem.
He explained, "Your uncle came into my office today and declared that if he didn't get a raise he was going to leave.
" His nephew considered the problem and suggested, "Go back to my uncle, tell him you have been over the books.
The best you can do is 10%, but he'll need to add a late show on Saturday and a matinee on Sunday.
" Although Eddie negotiated the increase up to 12%, it none the less worked like a charm.
Too often people are reluctant to include humor as part of a eulogy.
Always remember that humor is a part of our lives and a eulogy is supposed to commemorate a life.
A bit of humor can help break the tension.
It also helps us see the human side of the person we are remembering.
All of us do and say things that are humorous and endearing to those who love us.
When incorporating humor in a funeral service it is important to choose humor that is appropriate.
The humorous story should tell something personal about the deceased.
It should give us a glimpse into that person's nature.
In the case of Eddie we see a man whose career was so much a part of him that even when he lost so much of himself, he still remained the consummate professional.
His desire to entertain and his confidence in his professional value are obvious in this story.
Although this story can be enjoyed by those who never met Eddie, those who knew him nodded as if to say "Typical.
" I have worked in funeral services for over a quarter of a century.
There have been many memorable moments and stories.
In future this series will delve deeper into the humorous moments as well as some of the tender moments that are a part of funerals.
It can bring a tear to our eye, or as in the following excerpt, a smile to our faces.
Eddie was a stand-up comic whose career spanned back to vaudeville.
He played clubs in Atlantic City and New York, as well as resorts in the Catskills and Florida.
In the latter days of his life he became disoriented and was placed in a care facility.
Due to his condition he determined that this was not a care facility, it was a resort.
Furthermore, he was not a patient, he was the booked entertainment.
Several times each day he would stand and deliver a comedy routine.
Between his "engagements" he would flirt with the ladies as part of his "resort duties".
One day the facility's administrator called Eddie's nephew with a problem.
He explained, "Your uncle came into my office today and declared that if he didn't get a raise he was going to leave.
" His nephew considered the problem and suggested, "Go back to my uncle, tell him you have been over the books.
The best you can do is 10%, but he'll need to add a late show on Saturday and a matinee on Sunday.
" Although Eddie negotiated the increase up to 12%, it none the less worked like a charm.
Too often people are reluctant to include humor as part of a eulogy.
Always remember that humor is a part of our lives and a eulogy is supposed to commemorate a life.
A bit of humor can help break the tension.
It also helps us see the human side of the person we are remembering.
All of us do and say things that are humorous and endearing to those who love us.
When incorporating humor in a funeral service it is important to choose humor that is appropriate.
The humorous story should tell something personal about the deceased.
It should give us a glimpse into that person's nature.
In the case of Eddie we see a man whose career was so much a part of him that even when he lost so much of himself, he still remained the consummate professional.
His desire to entertain and his confidence in his professional value are obvious in this story.
Although this story can be enjoyed by those who never met Eddie, those who knew him nodded as if to say "Typical.
" I have worked in funeral services for over a quarter of a century.
There have been many memorable moments and stories.
In future this series will delve deeper into the humorous moments as well as some of the tender moments that are a part of funerals.
