I know this is a very 'grumpy old man' thing to say, but why the hell does everyone feel the need to take a picture or video it on their phone? It doesn't feel respectful to me. It isn't about taking a video to show your friends you saw her - it's about paying respect. And there is plenty of professional footage about... Sigh.
I think some people celebrate a person's life after they've passed. More so, someone who has led a long life. Whooping and cheering is also a mark of respect. We as a family clapped and cheered at my Grandads funeral, for all that he achieved in life and for what he endured.
As you are entitled to, Bob. I guess I come from a different place on this; I’m more one for bowing my head in quiet solemnity at such occasions.
I get both of these view points, and have moved between the two since she died. On the one hand, I am very sad at the passing of a fantastic monarch, a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. On the other hand, she lived a phenomenal life and should be celebrated. In general though, in the immediate days after someone has died, I'd err on the side of solemn silence. The time for cheering and smiling at fond memories will come, but maybe for some that time comes sooner than for others.
I agree. I’m much more of the solemn, head-bowed type of person. The rememberance, and celebration, of the good times related to HM would be in my thoughts at that time and other times of just sitting and thinking of how much she has given of her life. It’s not an easy transition from grief to celebration of a life lost (in my experience) but I guess for others it is easier. We are all, thankfully, different in our outlooks and ways of dealing with things.
I guess that people show their respect in different ways. I've never understood why eg. removing headgear such as hats or caps was seen as a sign of respect - but we all remember the ''take your cap off Jimmy syndrom'' - amongst younger people and also in other cultures this might appear strange - to be honest I don't know the origins of it.
I agree. It's about timing. Until the funeral you need to show respect for the deceased and sympathy for the bereaved. It's not an opportunity for those who didn't know the deceased (or their relatives) to signal their own virtue at being there. The time for the celebration of the life that has passed and jolly good excuse for a knees up is the wake or post-funeral reception. I remember well the funerals of my godfather and then my own father. The sorrow and sadness and then the joy as everyone has a good time and reminisces fondly in telling you happy, funny and even poignant stories of their experiences with the deceased.
Wow!! Do we do these things well or what? Incredibly moving watching the coffin leave Buckingham Palace and travel to Westminster Hall. The soldiers on duty were and are a credit to the Nation.
