TreeStandBowHunter Posted May 17, 2005 Report Share Posted May 17, 2005 I am not sure if I should use these or these so bear with me here. Today I can say that I have seen it all. We did a funeral for a Marine WWII Veteran. It was myself and 2 others. I was the one going to present the Flag to the spouse. Anyway, the hurse(sp) pulls up and as always, we render the salute as soon as the casket is brought out of the hurse. We hold the salute until the casket passes us in which at that time, we move over to the casket and one get's at the foot of the casket and the other (me) get's at the head. This is where we stand during the service then after the service, the Marine at the foot folds into me and then I take the Flag and present it to the next of kin. WELL , what happened before that will blow your mind. The 6 guys carrying the casket (I guess they were family ) brought the casket over to the hole where the rack is that sits above the hole. Well they get it close and all of a sudden, BAM , they dropped the casket and it falls into the hole along with 2 of the carriers. The one carrier falls in the hole feet first with the casket falling on him and the other guy fell in half way with the casket pinning his one leg. Anyway, of course we just stand there because I am certainly not screwing up my uniform plus we are told that we cannot carry the casket or the urn (unless requested to do so by the family). So anyway, this guy is screaming for his life and the other guy is cussing up a storm. THE PREACHER is cussing as well. Anyway, an ambulance had to be called for the guy that got his leg crushed and the guy who fell down into the hole, escaped with a torn suit and a sore body for the next month. I DO NOT SEE how someone did not get seriously hurt during all of this. So anyway the moral of the story, the family was pretty mad. The funeral director blamed it on the cemetery grounds keepers who set the site up. A lot of cussing was going on along with the preacher. The spouse was even more devestated and couldn't stop crying. I had to actually grab her hand at the end and make her take the flag. Everyone there will probably have nightmare for the next 3 months The ground keeper probably got canned and this will probably wind up on the news tonight or in the paper. I will keep you posted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThethirdI Posted May 17, 2005 Report Share Posted May 17, 2005 Re: FUNERAL GONE BAD......REAL BAD Wow! I have seen some pretty crazy mishaps at funerals but this one takes the cake. I was even at a funeral where a fist fight erupted and that wasn't nearly as crazy as dropping the casket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
too_pointer Posted May 17, 2005 Report Share Posted May 17, 2005 Re: FUNERAL GONE BAD......REAL BAD This can't possibly be the first time a casket was dropped I do feel real bad for the widow. Stuff happens too_ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hutchies Posted May 17, 2005 Report Share Posted May 17, 2005 Re: FUNERAL GONE BAD......REAL BAD Richy in no way is that even remotely funny. I am sorry but I would have been devastated if it would have been a member of my family. And for those of you that have never been a pallbearer, You would not believe how much caskets weigh. What malfunctioned that made the casket fall? That is rather strange because these guys set up caskets on a daily basis. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TreeStandBowHunter Posted May 17, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2005 Re: FUNERAL GONE BAD......REAL BAD [ QUOTE ] Richy in no way is that even remotely funny. I am sorry but I would have been devastated if it would have been a member of my family. And for those of you that have never been a pallbearer, You would not believe how much caskets weigh. What malfunctioned that made the casket fall? That is rather strange because these guys set up caskets on a daily basis. [/ QUOTE ] DUDE, you know what....not taking Richyrich's side here but he may be laughing at the way I explained it because I do have a habit of explaining things in a funny way. It may not be funny "per say" but it is funny as heck now that I look back. So with that said... I don't know what caused it. It could of been a combination of the two. They were saying something about the boards not being right at the hole and the one carrier didn't have a grip on it. I don't know but what I do know is someone is going to hear about this if they already havn't . And you know what, I need humor sometimes when it comes to these things. I do so many of them, it get's sickening after a while. Especially doing one for a Marine that was killed. Matter of fact, what's worse it having a Marine get 25lbs of schrapnel about 30 feet away from you. This is my story so therefore I will make it funny if I want too. BTW, cakets ARE VERY HEAVEY...especially if the guy is big . That's why I said, I can't believe someone didn't get seriously hurt during this evolution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hutchies Posted May 17, 2005 Report Share Posted May 17, 2005 Re: FUNERAL GONE BAD......REAL BAD Don't get mad at me but it I were a member of that family and I saw, heard, or even thought that someone was trying to laugh at this I would be upset. How would you have felt if it was your grandfather, dad, uncle, or cousin. Yeah you are right caskets are heavy especially when the person is big. My uncle weighed about 260 and he was the first person I ever carried and I thought I was absolutely going to lose an arm carrying him. I can understand how you would feel standing by someone that it could have been you in that box but don't put me down and tell me that you will make it funny if you want too because you want me feel bad for you. I have the feeling that when you die you want those guys to be there doing the same thing for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TreeWalker Posted May 17, 2005 Report Share Posted May 17, 2005 Re: FUNERAL GONE BAD......REAL BAD I'm sorry Hutchies, but I see it both ways.....I to would be alarmed and devastaded if this would happen to one of my family.......but I also would be able to laugh at it later....and can now, because it is no one I know......I still have remorse and regret for that particualr family.....but come on, if you can't laugh at the unnusual or seemingly impossible....regardless of the seriousness of the event........ I'm glad the two men are going to be alright, and I pray that the family ....especially the widow, can someday find a happy end to their grieving..... Now don't get me wrong, if I would have dropped my Grandma years ago, I'd probably have been pretty dang upset and embarrassed.......and I have a lot of respect for my elders......but given time, i would still be able to laugh about it......it's what helps us deal with our problems.........finding humor in our day to day lives..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hutchies Posted May 17, 2005 Report Share Posted May 17, 2005 Re: FUNERAL GONE BAD......REAL BAD Sorry man but I just don't understand being able to laugh at it. I feel for the family. This is going to be the way they remember their loved one for the rest of their life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkeygirl Posted May 17, 2005 Report Share Posted May 17, 2005 Re: FUNERAL GONE BAD......REAL BAD Wow...I can see the humor but I hope the two that were in the hole were ok...could have been burying someone else.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SLBDEERHUNTER Posted May 17, 2005 Report Share Posted May 17, 2005 Re: FUNERAL GONE BAD......REAL BAD After all is said and done I bet the family will eventually get a laugh out of this situation. I remember when my father in law past away, we were all going into the family visitation as a group and my sister in law, one of four daughters got dropped on by a pigeon, everyone had a laugh because she was the one in the family that s...t always happened to growing up, they all said it was dad way of letting them know he was watching, ten years later and we still laugh about that event. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wisconsinboy Posted May 17, 2005 Report Share Posted May 17, 2005 Re: FUNERAL GONE BAD......REAL BAD thats funny but sad, never heard of anything like that before Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TreeStandBowHunter Posted May 17, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 17, 2005 Re: FUNERAL GONE BAD......REAL BAD [ QUOTE ] but don't put me down and tell me that you will make it funny if you want too because you want me feel bad for you. I have the feeling that when you die you want those guys to be there doing the same thing for you. [/ QUOTE ] Hutchies, what in the world are you talking about man with all that stuff. First off, OBVIOUSLY nobody laughed there at the funeral...come on man. Secondly, who is trying to make you feel bad about anything . I was making a point. You can rest assure though when we got in the van and left, it was all over . I did feel bad for the spouse though. She probably felt bad for him. And if it were me in the casket, I wouldn't care because I WOULD BE DEAD! Chuckle Hutchies...trust me...it makes the day go by alot easier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted May 17, 2005 Report Share Posted May 17, 2005 Re: FUNERAL GONE BAD......REAL BAD wow, that would have been wild, like the others, i dont know whether to or Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IowaDeerHunter Posted May 18, 2005 Report Share Posted May 18, 2005 Re: FUNERAL GONE BAD......REAL BAD Sure I have to admit it is funny. but then put yourself in her shoes, that is you r husband or dad, and then it isn't so funny. you can see it both ways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckee Posted May 18, 2005 Report Share Posted May 18, 2005 Re: FUNERAL GONE BAD......REAL BAD I feel bad for the family too, but I can see them laughing about it further down the road. [ QUOTE ] Sorry man but I just don't understand being able to laugh at it. I feel for the family. This is going to be the way they remember their loved one for the rest of their life. [/ QUOTE ] I would hope a funeral isn't the only way people remember their loved ones. That would be a shame indeed. I can see the family laughing about this later, saying things like "Yeh, Gramps sure loved attention, even to the end", or "Gramps said I'd be in the ground before him, but I didn't think he mean't it that way". You just have to look at these things on the bright side. Lifes to short, to look at it any other way. JMO .. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebeilgard Posted May 18, 2005 Report Share Posted May 18, 2005 Re: FUNERAL GONE BAD......REAL BAD laugh or cry. it's all just a release of emotions. sad as the situation is, it's pretty funny. so, laugh away, richie. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TreeStandBowHunter Posted May 18, 2005 Author Report Share Posted May 18, 2005 Re: FUNERAL GONE BAD......REAL BAD Come on folks. Is it really funny that some people dropped a casket in a 6ft hole right when they were putting it on the bar thingee that lays over the hole or some moron set up the site incorrectly therefore causing 6 guys to drop a casket into a 6ft hole taking 1 1/2 full grown men with it and while all this is going on some poor old lady is watching her husband get bounced around in his casket? NO it really isin't BUT it really is..... Now everybody go to sleep and try not to think of this the next time you go to a funeral because you might find yourself breaking a smile during the midst of mourning Good night everybody and you can sleep well tonight knowing what my signature is saying below Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhino Posted May 18, 2005 Report Share Posted May 18, 2005 Re: FUNERAL GONE BAD......REAL BAD but I can see both sides here. I also feel for the family but they will get past the shock and have a later in life. [ QUOTE ] Now everybody go to sleep and try not to think of this the next time you go to a funeral because you might find yourself breaking a smile during the midst of mourning [/ QUOTE ] You just had to say that huh TSBH. I'm sure to remember this at the wrong time now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strut_Buster Posted May 18, 2005 Report Share Posted May 18, 2005 Re: FUNERAL GONE BAD......REAL BAD LOL... I bet you guys laughed pretty hard after it was all said and done and everyone was ok. I would have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest IADEERDUDE Posted May 18, 2005 Report Share Posted May 18, 2005 Re: FUNERAL GONE BAD......REAL BAD im a cemetery supervisior and ive seen alot of crazy things and some real sad ones too, but i have to give a little chuckle at that, cause thats something that just isnt supposed to happen. but i can guess the family was upset at the time but will be laughing later... its one of those can you belive this happend stories and trust me these things happen i had a funeral last year when the hearse arrived every one got out and locked the the doors with the casket still inside i had to call the police to come unlock the doors.... and even the family had a little chuckle at that..... saying figures he is late Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alisha Posted May 18, 2005 Report Share Posted May 18, 2005 Re: FUNERAL GONE BAD......REAL BAD oh my goodness..... I must admit I smirked (ok, giggled) when I read that. **Lord please forgive me!** I know I would definately be mortified if something like that happened to one of my close family members...... but I'm sure everyone would joke about it sometime down the road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAbowhunter4life Posted May 18, 2005 Report Share Posted May 18, 2005 Re: FUNERAL GONE BAD......REAL BAD Well, I can see it both ways, and yes, after carrying my grandfather I can attest that caskets are HEAVY. That being said, if something like that were to have happened to us, my grandfather would be laughing his a$$ off at us in heaven lol. Granted, it would have been an unfortunate situation, but as long as the casket did not come open, then no serious damage was done, aside from the unfortunate souls who fell in the grave with the coffin. Like a few others have said, they'll be thinking back and laughing at this down the road. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldawg Posted May 18, 2005 Report Share Posted May 18, 2005 Re: FUNERAL GONE BAD......REAL BAD Now they are going to have to put seat belts in caskets.... Yeah, that one got me smilin' too, but I always did have a warped sense of humor... A bad time for the family, but they will most likely laugh about it down the road. If not, at least the guys who fell in the hole will have some good conversation topics for the future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newarcher Posted May 18, 2005 Report Share Posted May 18, 2005 Re: FUNERAL GONE BAD......REAL BAD Ah you guys gotta lighten up! No it isn't funny in a traditional sense but it is hillarious on the 'you gotta be kidding me, did that really happen sense'. If it happened on a sitcom, we would be laughing about it. I wouldn't have laughed then but when re-telling the story later, I would have had to --pardon the pun--die laughing. Not because of "ha ha, look what happened to the poor grieving family" but "can you believe this happened?" I can only hope that when I go, the latch on the hearse door comes open, the casket slides out, and as I am sliding down the road I hit a bump--the top of the casket flies open--I get flipped upside down--and my bare butt shines for all the world to see in a final great big 'kiss my derrier!'. Or if I am dropped into the hole, that is fine too as long as I am dropped on an in-law! Lighten up Francis! New Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palssonater Posted May 18, 2005 Report Share Posted May 18, 2005 Re: FUNERAL GONE BAD......REAL BAD The lord has sense of humor too. Maybe he was just trying to lighten the mood. At the same time, I can see how the widow would have been upset. Her partner for life went away to war, then CAME BACK and is now gone. That is hard on anyones emotions. Hopfully in a few weeks she can look back at it all and chuckle. I'm part Irish. We have wakes, where we just about fall over laughing remembering the life of some people. ITs good to remember the life, not the death. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.