67 Wild Funeral Stories That Sound Too Chaotic To Be Real

The relationship between humor and grief is a complex one. On the one hand, laughter, even when it is bittersweet, can bring you much-needed relief during the toughest moments in your life. On the other hand, humor itself can act as a trigger, reminding you of the person you have lost, their humorous side, and the activities you shared.

One study found that some people experienced grief episodes “whenever they thought about humor or encountered humor, as this remembrance or exposure served to recall their deceased loved one to them.”

And yet, the same study identified humor, an important social activity across all cultures and historical periods, as a “periodic way” for people to temporarily escape from or otherwise manage their grief.

Humor is an activity that can massively improve your physical, mental, and emotional health. It reduces stress, lifts spirits, speeds up healing, enhances recovery, gives you an opportunity to connect with others, and even provides solace for the grieving to cope with their loss.

As Bethel Funerals stresses, “Laughing together, even in times of grief, can help build connection and empathy with the bereaved.”

If your loved one who has passed away was known for having a good sense of humor, you may want to consider incorporating it into their funeral service. A dash of gentle humor and levity, among all the respect and sensitivity, can be a heartwarming and healing experience.

“One of the major milestones on the grief journey is learning how to laugh after loss. It is important not to feel guilty about engaging in grief humour. Laughter is good for the soul. Your loved one would want you to engage with your world whole-heartedly, and laugh again.”

However, because comedy is so sensitive to context and people’s sense of humor, you have to be incredibly careful that you do not overstep boundaries or make inappropriate comments.

Something you think might be entertaining gallows humor might insult someone in mourning. Meanwhile, something darkly humorous that you might avoid saying aloud because you want to have tact might actually make someone who is grieving laugh out loud. These are all incredibly sensitive situations that require a lot of empathy and emotional intelligence to navigate as you support others.

What are the most bizarre, heartwarming, horrifying, or hilarious things that you have personally witnessed at funerals? What advice would you give someone who is grieving right now? If you feel like sharing your experiences and insights, feel free to do so in the comments.