At the first funeral I’ve attended
since my father’s
I took some mental notes
as to how to host such an event.

More jokes
Less ice cream
Express more grief
in the presence of well-heeled young ladies
seeking to offer comfort.
No hospitalizations.

I found the service I attended today
a bit too catholic for my tastes
(and probably my father’s)
so I would probably keep
religiousoisty to a bare minimum.
A couple of hosannas
and get out of there.

Keep solemnity away,
as the event
should be a celebration of a life
not a mourning for its end.
There can be joy in the room
even at the grave site.

Most important, I thought:
someone should make a point
to provide a history of the deceased
so everyone who knew him, her or it
could be offered the whole context of a life
not just the parts they experienced themselves.

I failed you there, Dad
but maybe I’ll get it right
next time around.