You can do it. If you have to, close your eyes. You will be so glad you did this, and no matter how hard it feels, you'll be OK.

Hugs
xoxo

Keep On Dancing*

Her dying has really had me questioning my future. Do I love my job, do I want a family, do I want to move to another country. It is amazing how a death makes me reflect things about my OWN life and possible shortcomings.

I can do this, I can do this, I can do this.

Definitely go to the funeral. Emily's family had her cremated, so they had a memorial service for her. It means A LOT to the family if you can show up and show your love for their daughter (and sister if she had siblings). I got to hug her mom and sister and tell them how much she meant to me. If you can, get someone to go with you. Boy went with me and that helped a ton. I had someone to drive to and from and hold my hand while I was there.

I would go. IMO the purpose of a funeral is closure. It shifts the attention of the bereaved from the past to the future, and if there is a reception or a wake following the funeral I try to stay until that purpose has been accomplished.

I'm so very sorry for your loss. It has recently happened to me, too. ((((huggs)))) Definitely go the funeral. Take a little packet of tissues and when you see the casket, just take a deep breath and send her your prayers.

Don't worry. Everything will be alright <3
Always remember: "Only rainbows, after rain. The sun will always come again. It's a circle, circling. It comes around again."

You NEED to go to the funeral. You'll never forgive yourself if you don't. It really provides a significant amount of closure. When my friend was killed in Afghanistan, due to the circumstances, there was a 3 week gap before the funeral could take place. That was by far the longest and hardest 3 weeks of my life. Things didn't automatically get better after the funeral by any means. In fact, they may've gotten harder, but knowing I was able to be there to say goodbye means everything to me.

{Hugs} I'm so sorry. And yes, it will make you rethink everything in your life.

<Hugs>
You are definitely in my thoughts.

I know it seems unfair she was taken so young, and there will never be an answer to the hardest question of all "Why?". But in her short years, she had a rich life even inspiring others to evaluate yours as I see. Her legacy will live on, and all the goodness she brought to the world will live on or be remembered.

The situation sucks so much, and there's no way to respond. You may be angry, sad or numb and that's totally fine. you need time to grieve your own way. But I hope you attend the funeral, it really helped me in gaining closure. To see people united sharing stories of the lost is comforting and shows that they will not be forgotten.

Anyway sorry for rambling and attempt at comfort skills, please just know all of DDN is thinking of you.

I saw my friend in the casket and I still remember everything.
She had such a calm expression to her, and she had the most beautiful butterfly earrings on. She also had her favorite shirt on, and I recognized it straight away.

I didn't cry for most of the funeral except when her Fiance went up to talk. She was his first kiss, first girlfriend and they were engaged. He said that he had so many plans for the both of them, but now the route in life has changed. He said with everyones support he will be able to get through the change of plans, and she will always be in his heart. He went on to share many stories together, and it just broke my heart.

Her brother also talked and it was the first time I have ever seen him cry. Their father went up to support him and he was like " I'm fine, I just can't see my paper anymore" so he just improvised his speech.

I am super glad I went. The funeral was beautiful and haunting at the same time. They showed a video of her singing the national anthem at a basketball game, and hearing her voice again gave me some chills.

The church was so packed they had to put portable seats on the side of the aisles. It took about 2 hours to get through the line to greet the family. I would say 2000+ people showed up for her funeral.

I'm so sorry for your loss dearest Lauren. I'm glad you went to the funeral and had some support. Hope you are doing okay.