Dear Abby: This is in response to the letter from "Embarrassed in Boston," whose 31-year-old son and his cousin got the giggles during the funeral of a relative.
I attended the funeral of a co-worker with several other co-workers (all over 25), and during the service, a drunk walked by outside the church, singing at the top of his voice. That started it! We started giggling and could not stop.To make matters worse, a car came screeching around the corner and went speeding off. Someone leaned over and whispered, "THAT was the hearse." We were giggling so hard by that time, we were all crying. We weren't loud, but our shoulders were shaking and tears were rolling down our faces.
We were embarrassed, but powerless to stop ourselves. Before then, we had been very tense. We meant no disrespect to our friend, and we felt that she probably would have laughed right along with us.
- Got the Giggles in California
Dear Got the Giggles: It should comfort you to know that my mail is filled with letters from others who also got the giggles at a funeral. Read on:
Dear Abby: My sister and I lost our father last January, and oddly enough we both handle our stress by laughing.
First, on the way to the funeral, my son accidentally sprayed himself in the face with Mace; then while seated directly behind my daughter in the church, I discovered that she had head lice! Then, my sister who was sitting next to me was sobbing and dabbing her eyes with a tissue when I noticed that her mascara had run, giving her the appearance of having two black eyes!
The final laugh came at the cemetery when they placed the casket on the rollers and one end collapsed!
Meanwhile, my sister and I were laughing hysterically. Thank Heaven, everyone thought we were crying.
- The Laughing Blaton Sisters in Mesa, Ariz.
Dear Abby: After reading the letter about the two grown men (cousins) who got the giggles during the funeral of their uncle, I had to write and tell you what happened at my Grammy's funeral.
The minister told everyone to stand for the eulogy and prayer, and that's when the giggling and snickering began. Soon, the minister was giggling and snickering along with the rest of the mourners. Guess what started it all? It seems that when Grampy stood up, his pants fell to his ankles, and he was so deep in prayer he didn't bother to pull up his pants until after the eulogy was over.
After the funeral, everyone gathered at my mother's house where one of my uncles said, "Well, Dad sure got the last laugh on Mom!"
That funny episode broke the tension and made Grammy's death a little less painful. So, as the saying goes, "Laughter is the best medicine."
- B.M. Reinhardt, Santa Rita, Guam
Dear Abby: Some years ago, I attended a formal church wedding in Milwaukee, Wis. It was THE social event of the century . . . as well as the merging of two enormous fortunes. When the bride was asked to repeat her marriage vows, she was so overwhelmed by her emotions, she started to titter, then giggle, then she burst into tears!
The minister had to stop the ceremony until she composed herself.
- I Was There