Funeral

So the funeral for Rosa was far easier than the preparations. From the day that Rosa passed, the funeral arrangements went haywire. She thought she had insurance, but she only had accidental and dismemberment. Which I don't understand. Because when you sign papers for insurance, you are explained what they are. It isn't hidden. It is usually at the top of the paper!

So she didn't have insurance. Lollie sent her to Westlawn because Rosa thought she had a plot there. Yeah, you caught that I said thought. She had 2 plots in California and she thought they could be transferred. Well, they couldn't. The funeral was going to cost over $7000. I was told that the family only had $4500. They gave up on a burial and had their hearts set on cremation.

I kinda freaked out. I didn't want to. But I know why burial is so important. I also know that Rosa used to want a cremation and then changed her mind after her baptism. The missionaries explained to Rosa why a burial is important. We are counseled to treat our bodies with respect even after death. Burial is a symbolic ritual of when Jesus was resurrected. He arose from his tomb and since he was in a tomb, we should be too.

Anyways, I fought so hard for a burial. I called so many places and then President Wilkinson (Branch President) called me and gave me information about Bellevue Funeral Home. I called and talked to Rob and I told him we had $4500. He said he will make it happen!

WOOOOHOOOOOOOO!

But I exclaimed too early.

Lollie had already convinced the rest of the family (excluding CC and I) that cremation would be the best route. Not only could the family afford a cremation but they would have extra money left over to spend how they want!

ARGGGGGGGGHHHHHH!

NO CREMATION! WE CAN MAKE IT WORK! I FOUND A WAY!

After I exclaimed that, I was informed that there would need to be a family meeting to discuss if the family wanted to spend the entire amount of money on a funeral for the head chief of the family or spend a portion of the money on a cremation with money to spend afterwards.

In the end after CC explained that we would be honoring his mother's wishes, his dad agreed that this is the best route.

YEA!!!!!

Now I can exclaim!

Oh wait, there isn't $4500? The amount I was told AND the amount I informed the funeral director we had?

Crap.

Well, we will get the remaining amount.

So, after I found a funeral home, I needed to organize the funeral services because no one really wanted to be burdened with the arrangements. I was more than happy to prepare a tribute to a wonderful woman. So I found the speakers for the funeral, arranged the florists, prepared the eulogy, arranged songs, prepared the wake, gathered clothing and makeup, copied over 60 pictures of Rosa for a scrapbook, arranged for video and audio taping of the services and made dinner for a family of over 17 people two nights in a row.

The visitation was beautiful, she was in the relief society room, chairs were set up, flowers and the scrapbook (thanks to Tricia and Elva....it was GORGEOUS!) were set up on the table and soft hymns were playing in the background. Mimi (my grandma) videotaped the whole thing! The service was beautiful as well. My mom helped take care of Wyatt during the service because he was antsy. The ride to the cemetery was atrocious! We let my sister drive us to the cemetery during the pouring rain. She is a horrible driver and also it was raining really hard.

It began pouring even more when we got to the cemetery. Rosa had a good laugh, watching all of us try and cram ourselves into the tent because the rain really was hard. CC dedicated the grave (YEA!) and we stayed to see her lowered into her grave.

We then had a reception afterwards at the church. That was a good dinner provided by the Fontenelle Ward. We had tons of fun and laughs including Peyton Gurney cruising down the table before everyone got there. Rosa's sister, Cecilia, wrote a letter that had a few laughs in it and we were able to laugh a little bit more. The kids played while the adults talked about light things. Everything was wonderful and I know she would be so happy.

I am exhausted.

Unfortunately, I never got a day to relax. I wanted a day after the funeral to cry...no no to BAWL! All I wanted was for the family to acknowledge all of the hard work I did and maybe even say thank you. None of them thanked me though. Well, CC did after he heard me complaining. I told him that doesn't count.

The extra money for the funeral was obtained due to Mimi. She fronted $500 which she asked if she would have it back by Friday. Everyone said YEAH of COURSE. Well, it's Friday and guess what....no money! CC called his Aunt who was sending the money and she informed him that the money was sent on Saturday. The money wasn't coming from Egypt....it was coming from California. That isn't that far!

So now my family is out $500 and there is nothing I can do about it.