Has anyone heard of this death tradition?

L Sass

L Sass

Cathlete
Sorry if any of you find this morbid, but I need to ask. As some of you know I went to my grandma's funeral yesterday. Grandma and Grandpa ("Pap") had 6 kids - 5 boys and 1 girl. When Pap died the others all invoked this tradition. They bought a bottle of whiskey (or cognac or something). The survivors got together (no spouses - only immediate family), poured a shot for each of them including the deceased. The living all raised their glasses, toasted to the deceased and to life, downed the shots, and "clinked" the still full shot glass. The youngest of the siblings takes that bottle home with him, and at the next funeral brings it back and they do it all over. The theory of course being that the baby of the family should be the last to die, and he'll drink the remainder of the bottle.

Now we are not really drinkers. And I've always said the hardest thing about losing a grandparent is seeing the effect it has on your parents, uncles and aunts. My Grandma was the third to die (Pap and an uncle predeceased her). And watching my dad, his 3 brothers and his sister raise their shot glasses yesterday with the toast "to you Mom, and to life", drink them down, and clink her untouched glass - I sobbed. Has anyone ever heard of this tradition?

Lorrie
 
Aww Lorrie...that would make me sob too! I have never heard of that before. I am so sorry for your loss. I have lost all my grandparents many years ago and I miss them sooo!

Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH (AKA "Den Mother Debbie")http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/wavey.gif[/img] If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!
 
I've never heard of it, but gang members will often "share a drink" with the deceased by taking a swig of beer, then pouring some on the grave (at least according to some shows I've seen).

My father told me about funeral traditions in his family: they would stop all the clocks (like in the old song "When the old man died"), and cover the mirrors with sheets.
 
When my brother died (unexpectedly), all his closest friends and family opened a bottle of Grand Marnier that he had been saving for a 'special occasion', and had a drink around the bonfire and toasted him and yes, poured a glass for him too. I think it's awesome:)
 
I have a tradition that I do after wakes or viewings. When my grandfather passed away, I was a child at the time, my father took me out for ice cream afterwards to comfort me. I alawys go for ice cream after a wake.

Funeral traditions and rememberances are all awesome. We really are grieving for the surviving as usually the deceased is comfortable in death. I always like to hear about people who stage parties for after their death to say "I really enjoyed my life, remember me in a happy way!"

Dave
 
>Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH (AKA "Den Mother
>Debbie")http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/wavey.gif[/img]
>If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You
>DANCE!!!

Hey, Debbie: I have more posts than you do now! (And we both have more than Cathe, LOL!).
 
Hi Lorrie, sorry for your loss. No, I have never heard of this tradition before, but I can tell you I would have been crying too. I think it is very touching as well.
 
Lorrie!

I need to apologise for hyjacking this emotional thread teasing Kathryn. I wasn't thinking. Still thinking of you!
Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH (AKA "Den Mother Debbie")http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/wavey.gif[/img] If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!
 
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