It happens from the rigid liberal as well as the rigid conservative type, inasmuch as both of them have lost touch with the wisdom of the Church.
I saw this column in the latest edition of Newsweek in which the writer talks about her experience in church after the death of her father.
Why don't people say "I am sorry for your loss" anymore? ... People seem to worry that if they encourage me to grieve openly, I will fall apart. I won't. On the contrary, if you allow me to be sad, I will be a stronger, more effective person.
On the day of my father's funeral, we were greeted by a grinning deacon who shook our hands and chirped, "Isn't it a beautiful day? I'm so glad you have the sun for your memorial!" I wanted to shake this woman. Couldn't she invoke a solemn tone for at least five seconds on the darkest morning of my life?
Our society needs to rethink the way we communicate with mourners - especially since so many people are in mourning these days. Everyone wants mourners to "snap out of it" because observing another's anguish isn't easy to do. Here's my advice: let mourners mourn.
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