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C.R.E.A.M.

How many tears does it take to wash away the pain? Even though I've always been known to cry at the drop of a hat -- I'm the punk who can watch Grey's Anatomy and be jacked up -- this is different. This brand of hurt comes up when I least expect it, and it drains me. I thought I used up a lot of tears yesterday, crying off and on, but it seems that there are even more things to cry about than Granny's death.

We found out that my grandmother's beloved church won't allow us to have funeral services there unless we come up with a fee. Never mind that she loved that church, raised her children in it, served in the mission ministry, etc. In this new era of "church business," we've been told that none of her history matters. Because this 96-year-old woman wasn't an "active" member, (seriously, how active can you be when you're as old as dirt?) they've got to get paid. While the fee itself isn't astronimical, the principle of it is, and it hurts.

I understand that people need to get paid for their services -- Lord knows I do -- but I think that at a time like this, there should be some exceptions. No matter how ready a family is for a death, they can't possibly be prepared for everything. Everyone expects to be nickel-and-dimed by the funeral home, but the church? A friend of mine who's experienced way more tragedy than I have told me that it's standard practice for churches to charge because it takes money to do things these days. No one wants to give up their Saturday for someone else -- even if it IS in their time of deepest need.

If this incident is any indication of what's to come, I know I'll be shedding even more tears. Stay tuned...

Comments

Janelle said…
This is your pain talking and it's okay. Yes, it is common practice for the Church to request a fee. Some churches require the fee whether you are an active member or not. You could have put money in the collection plate on Sunday and you're family would still have to pay a funeral fee. Try not to think of it as the church trying to get paid. Think of it as paying for the send off that Granny deserves.

Love ya, darling!!!
March 6, 2008 at 12:15:00 PM EST
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