My father's funeral, though, was especially beautiful. We invited the CNA's who had helped take care of him here at home (father had qualified for a Home Hospice program under the aegis of the regional Medical Center) and he'd had a lot of CNA's because he was 2 1/2 years "officially dying". I think all of the CNA's that we invited, came: really good gals who had done a lot for my father, and had become like part of our family.
There were two priests and a deacon, and the choir, just simple and dignified and tearful/joyful. Here in east Tennessee there are very few Catholics, less than 2% of the population: I'm pretty sure none of the dear CNA's or the few old acquaintances from the Senior Center were Catholics. So it might have been their only exposure to what a Catholic Funeral Mass looks or feels like.
I think everyone was touched. I certainly was, by everyone's extraordinary kindness.
It sounds beautiful. Really, it’s all a matter of preference, of the deceased and of the family.
My one sis-in-law was sent off with a Mass concelebrated by six priests and her husband, a Deacon! I loved every minute of it, and she would have, too, as she was the “Grace Kelly” of the family.
My other sis-in-law had a 20 mile motorcycle escort from the funeral home to the cemetery, courtesy of the Nassau County P.D. where her daughter is a beloved officer! They closed down several exits on the Southern State Parkway for quite awhile! All the motorists must have thought it was a special dignitary—well, she was to us!
How could I possibly top all that?