Monday, July 2, 2007

Family Trees

Family trees
All family trees have that special branch that broke off somewhere along the way. When someone dies all the branches come together to cry, laugh, remember and sometimes beat the crap out of each other.
Working with families gets very interesting when they are caught in a family feud. Most the time, it ain't no game show.
As a funeral director you do your best to stay neutral and you never, ever take sides. During the arrangements they will yell, accuse, point fingers and stomp out. Most of the time it's the remaining children that can't agree or just can't stand each other. Sad really.
However, never underestimate the power of creativity when it comes to getting back at one of your siblings.
I was working with two sisters (in their 70's) that were planning a funeral for their mother, Mary. It was clear they did not get along and they disagreed about everything.
One sister lived in town and the other was from out of state. The local sister couldn't stand the other because she told me she was so nosy.
After the service was over the local sister came in to pick up the remaining flowers. I helped her get the plants and flowers in her car. As we were loading the flowers she started laughing. She turned to me and said, "guess how I got back at my sister for all the things she has done to me over the years?"
I didn't know if I wanted to know.
"My sister is so nosy. She has to know everything. So...I sent this beautiful bouquet of flowers to mom along with a special note"
She handed me the card and it said,
"To Mary...you have and always will be the love of my life." Love , Bill.
I said, who's Bill?
She said..."your guess is as good as mine! My sister will try to fiqure out who Bill is until her dying day. Serves her right."

6 comments:

Apollox said...

What a funny story *smile*.....

Betty said...

I found your blog through Flickr. You are a very gifted writer and I have enjoyed reading your stories. I'll be back t visit here often.

the LaNd of fOrGoTtEn dReAmS said...

OMG LOL. That's terrible! I work with funeral directors for our paper & have heard some stories.... & when my brother passed away one remarked he never had a family who agreed on everything... (which kinda surprised me a little) anyway, he was saying alot of times they even divy up the card money in the parking lot How sad is that... Human nature is so cruel & who can hit the mark better than your own family!
Anyway,Great story!

Rose Garden Romantic said...

Hi Annie!! I didn't realize you had a blog! I'm so glad I found it! I have read it from the first to the most recent post and you have made me laugh, cry, and given me goose bumps!! Love to hear your thoughts and stories. I love the light and fluffy blogs (like mine) but it is nice to find one that makes you think and feel, too! I will be a regular visitor! Wow- I would never have guessed you for a funeral director! I could never deal with the families and the death on a regular basis, but I'm sure it helps keep things in perspective on a daily basis! Thank goodness there are wonderful people like you who can deal with these things and do it with kindness and sympathy.

Michelle

Anonymous said...

Cool blog! More stories, please! My relatives in America own and manage funeral parlors, but after almost enrolling in mortuary college, I decided I liked airplanes more. Either way a wasted 6 year college education but I'm STILL curious! ( snorting at digging through things)

Annie said...

wow, thank you all for your comments! I spend so much time admiring everyone else's blogs that I forget about mine!! haha