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Pericles Could Come to My Family's Funerals///////Isabelle Ferguson

 Pericles would thrive at my family’s funerals! First of all, our funerals usually last an entire weekend- which has nothing on Greek funerals. The service itself takes up a full day- sometimes the graveside is moved to the next day. Our funerals aren’t about grieving, they’re celebrations. We tell stories, sing uplifting songs, and- as Pericles did- give speeches. After the official funeral is over, food is taken either to the elder’s house or to the immediate family of the person that died, and a mini-family reunion takes place. Everyone contributes a dish, so there’s enough food to last almost a month- initially. I say initially, because certain relatives “take a plate” home with them. The kids commune outside where we play basketball, football, or tag. One or more of the older men in the family always attempt to join, which results in a whole lot of laughter. We cry, laugh, and heal, however long it takes us. 

At our funerals, there is always at least 2 hours planned where the microphone is opened up to family and friends. Pericles’ speech made me think of this moment for a couple reasons. He spoke about the greatness of Athens. There is always that person who gets up to speak at the service and spends most of his time talking about the greatness of America. This is a funeral, why are you being a patriot? Also, everyone gets up to speak. Everyone! And you have to say at least a page worth of words. Unlike Pericles, there isn’t a rule or plan that set this in motion, but if you don’t speak, you’re rude and disrespectful. Pericles was honoring a tradition in his speech. Finally, his conclusion, which was my favorite part. Pericles offering the families comfort and uplifting those who had to fight on was beautiful. He resembled a pastor at a funeral in that way. In my opinion, he fulfilled his ancestors’ tradition. He concluded the funeral with hope for the ones left behind, and that is the goal at the end of the day.  

P.S. I  commented on Lily Caswell and Braylan Stringfellow's posts.

Comments

  1. Lily CaswellSeptember 14, 2020 at 8:11 PM

    “This is a funeral, why are you being a patriot?” spoke to me on deeply. (Not really but it made me laugh.) Also, funerals without food is no true funeral, especially a Southern one. The fact that Pericles spoke about patriotism seemed kind of weird to me. I mean, maybe it’s just because it kind of seems out of place at a funeral, unless of course the funeral is about a military veteran or first responder. The way you closed out your post made me think about how funerals end; there’s always hope.

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