[Monkey Face]

Perhaps selfish is too strong a word. But humans have things backwards: we rejoice when a child is born, even though we know it will have to undergo trials we may not even be able to imagine. But when someone is released from those trials through death, we mourn, when we should be rejoicing at their freedom. Which is why Catholics celebrate a funeral Mass.

[Tax-chick]

The use of “selfish” often makes people angry, although all it means is “considering myself.” Another word for it is “human”! If we’re sad when someone close to us has died, it’s probably because we’re thinking of the loss to ourselves, rather than the gain to the one who no longer suffering and is with the Lord. It’s simply natural, and we feel it more strongly when the person was a big part of our lives, less strongly with someone who was very old and sick.