In my years around the funeral home and several thousand services I’ve noticed a few things

1. Sometimes it’s better to smile and nod than it is to say anything at all.

2. No matter what you amass in life, you can’t take it with you.

3. No matter what you spend on someone’s funeral it isn’t going to make up for the time you didn’t spend with them. The real currency in life is time, not money.

4. Ladies… don’t wear heals to a graveside after it’s been raining.

5. If you tell a man you’ll take care of him when he dies that means start to finish… A promise is a promise. (Dad, I did my part… and I guess we got that last talk in even if it was a little one sided.)

6. Don’t leave it up to the minister to preach you into Heaven. Keep in mind they’d like to make it there themselves… stretching the truth about you isn’t going to help.

7. Even if you think “If you don’t talk about it it won’t happen” it’s going to happen. Plan accordingly.

8. If your family doesn’t get along, suck it up for a few hours. Don’t be “that person”.

9. If you love ‘em, tell ‘em before hand. They aren’t going to hear you afterwards.

10. Everyone always says “If you need anything just call” at a funeral. 99% of those people can’t be found the next week. Don’t be part of the 99%. If you say it, mean it.