CamCamPup,

I don't think that the people at the funeral home were being disrespectful towards your Aunt Linda. Alot of people laugh and smile during a funeral. Sometimes it's their way of coping. They could be actually celebrating her life, reminiscing the good times. Everyone is different in the way they cope with death.

I lost my Dad 6 years ago today. He was found dead in his apartment. I found out about it when a police officer knocked on my door. I will never EVER forget that day. It was a hot day in August and his neighbors were concerned because his newspapers were stacking up outside his door. He was very good about bringing them in everyday. I was his sole caretaker for 2 1/2 years. It was the one weekend that I took a respite from bathing, feeding and hanging out with him. He said he'd be fine and would see me on Monday.

When I walked into his apartment, the smell of death hit me and is something that will ALWAYS stay with me. He died with the telephone in his hand, as if he was trying to call me. I'll never know.

It's been 6 years and it still is very painful to talk about it. I never got to say goodbye to him or that I loved him with all my heart. I've been working on a story about it and it's still not finished yet, even after 6 years.

Believe me, I feel your pain. But it's good to cry, rant, do whatever it takes that makes YOU feel better. Grief takes time. It may come in 6 months, it may not come for years. I'm still grieving. And that's okay too.

I'm so sorry for your loss. Your aunt sounded like a very special lady.