Weddings and funerals are perfect bookends to life. A wedding is about celebrating the beginning of something. A funeral is about celebrating the end. If you think about it, both involve the same basic principles.

Family And Friends

Events this monumental means that there will be people traveling long distances. Both extended family and friends that you haven’t seen in years will be there. Both of them will talk about how long it took them to get there. This might be the perfect opportunity to catch up with someone and let them know how you are. Otherwise, you will spend the entire time trying to avoid a particular person because they are terrible. Either way, you will fake your way through part of the day. Seeing that many people at once is exhausting.

Money

Both of these events cost a lot. The host will have to pay for flowers, food, a stereo system of some kind, and find a suitable venue. Hotel accommodations have to be considered. Overall, the host will spend more money than they anticipated for a one-day event. They may or may not get help to pay for it. But help is always appreciated.

Getting Dressed Up

Black is acceptable to either occasion. You will try to wear comfortable shoes, but your feet will end up hurting regardless. Formal wear is expected unless otherwise specified. You will try too hard to look good even though the event isn’t about you. Complimenting someone else on their outfit is always a safe conversation starter.

Children Who Don’t Care

As with any event, there will be people who bring their children. They don’t want to be there. In both situations, they are wearing uncomfortable clothes, have nothing to do, and just want to eat something. At least one of them will express this. Loudly.

A Ceremony

Happy or sad, there is going to be a ceremony that you have to pay attention to. There might be singing. There could be a program. Religion could be involved. You will have to compliment the host on how well the ceremony went. Even if it didn’t start on time.

Speeches

There are going to be speeches about the person or people in question. Someone will cry during their speech. If you are lucky, someone will actually manage to be funny. There will likely be an awkward speech that makes the entire room uncomfortable. The speech portion will always feel long.

Food

When you get this many people together there better be something to eat. It might all be finger food, but if you are lucky, the host catered the event. You will eat too much of one thing because there will be food throughout the entirety of it. At least one thing you eat will not live up to your expectations. You will have to share your opinion with others to make sure you’re right. You have to make sure your disappointment doesn’t get back to the host.

Pictures

There tend to be photos at both weddings and funerals. If it’s a wedding, pictures are taken of the couple. Sometimes there are photos of the bride and groom as children. Sometimes it’s pictures of the couple kissing in various places. The same goes for a funeral. Except its one person and the images are of their entire life. Sometimes they serve as conversation starters. Or, they make you jealous that you haven’t lived half as much as this person. You leave either depressed or inspired.

Time Off

Whether you are looking forward to attending the event, it is still a reason to take some time off. Both weddings and funerals are acceptable reasons not to come to work. The event might be stressful. But in the end, you get to support a friend or family member rather than deal with your own life.