Niece Cheryl was also around for our discussion with the priest, and a quiet word with myself regarding the not-so-wonderful health of her mother. This was a big plus as she is an eminently sensible individual, capable of dealing with whatever life throws at us. It was she who'd seen to most of the paperwork surrounding Mum's death, which is in good order.
The priest was a very nice guy - when are priests not, these days? - and shed insight into just why it was so difficult for the funeral director to arrange the funeral within any reasonable period of time. The funeral business, it seems, is just that, a business, and not a terribly customer-friendly one, though it no doubt generates the necessary profits.
Originally there had been talk of a Thursday night vigil, with the body in the church, a Catholic custom in these parts. But it's no longer customary as the churches cannot ensure security. In other words, various criiminals are prone to gate-crashing the proceedings and taking what they can get - including rather valuable coffins. A mad world, my masters.
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