Living and dying

 

It is often said that the Irish “do death well.” A time of bereavement is usually marked by deep family and community support, and it is taken for granted that friends, neighbours, and extended family will show their respect for the deceased by attending the funeral Mass. In many other cultures, funerals are more private occasions, attended only by invitation. Not so in Ireland.

Let’s be honest: the presence of large numbers of people — including many young people — is, for some, the only time they will find themselves at Mass. That makes it an important moment to welcome everyone, to honour the person who has died, and to stand in solidarity with those who grieve. And who knows? Perhaps a spark is lit somewhere.