Non Funeral Invitation
November 22, 2011
Ok, so for the non-Dutch speaking readers: This is a Belgian announcement out of a public newspaper for the decease of Madam Mariëtte Lumbeeck. Like any other announcement, it contains some information such as the name, family, date of birth and death … etc. So people not as close as family can be informed as well. But what’s pretty original and let’s say funny about it, is that the text in the middle of the paper says:
“As she has wanted herself, there will be no coffee table(*), nor funeral letters or prints. For all those who wished to have coffee, Mariëtte assumed they had time enough to do that with her while she was alive.”
This is a perfect and very original angle to catch on the idea there are always lots of people who suddenly tend to show up at a funeral but when somebody is sick, or alone in his last days, or in any kind of need; they never bothered to give him a call, come by in the hospital or house, even just send an email or text to ask how it’s going. My family has been there as well and the only thing you can do is ignore that kind of behavior (because that’s actually not of your concern at that moment), or simply do it like this family. Genius.
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(*) A ‘coffee table’ is what we call in Dutch a simple meal or some drinks family and invited guests can get after the funeral ceremony in the church.
