Celtic funerals are ‘lively’ affairs.
Sadly, I’ve attended too many funerals in my time.
The English ones are very respectful affairs – a few drinks and a bite to eat afterwards, and quiet conversations amongst the mourners.
The Scots and Irish ones, on the other hand, are a lot more boisterous (at least in my family). The drink is more plentiful and flows more freely – at some stage it becomes more like a party, with singing, spoons, penny whistles and other musical instruments produced . . .
After a while (and a good many drinks have been downed) fights may break out as it becomes clear that the reason so many folk only seem to meet up at weddings and funerals is because they can’t bloody stand each other.
A sentiment I’ve often heard expressed at Scottish/Irish funerals is – if (the deceased) could have been here (s)he would have enjoyed it !!!
So while it is not unusual for a celtic funeral to feature music, song, and dancing – it is very rare for the widow to dance round the room with the skull of the deceased impaled on a pitch-fork . . . Click Here
