attending funerals of unknown riders?

[lonesoldier84]

just curious. anyone ever done this? lend support to grieving family which could have been your family?

 

[necrotimus]

I couldn't do it. The last thing I want to do is bring awkwardness or empty plaitudes to an already horrible situation. I'd want to and they would probably be grateful later on but I don't think a funeral is necessarily the right place. Many people prefer to grieve in private.

 

[christod1]

I couldn't go. I have a hard enough time going to a funeral of some one I know...

 

[jsteinb95]

I have never done that. The only thing I've ever done was donate money when OrangevaleFJR died.

 

[KindredGhost]

I couldn't do it either... it'd be too akward.

KG

 

[lonesoldier84]

ya, it would be. but was just thinking some people really do grieve better with more people giving support. a funeral would be the wrong place though I think. Maybe writing a letter or if you somehow know where they live drop off flowers and a note or something saying something appropriate.

just got to thinking about it today is all. another rider got clipped by a 75 year old senile bastard and it just pissed me off for some reason more than usual.

 

[MarinaFazer]

yea, there was a rider who went down from some of the groups I ride with, but I just joined two weeks ago and never met the guy...the service is tomorrow, but I'm not going...i send my codolences though

 

[yamaha rider87]

We had a young rider die here in Reno a couple years back and I went to the open memorial service to show support to his family but not to the actual funeral as I felt this would be too personal. I do like the idea of helping out another's family in any way possible as when I lost my best friend I needed all the help I could get.

 

[Drinky]

I guess it would depend on the family of the victim, if they would like to celebrate the good part of the life that has past then I'd go. but for a more traditional funeral, I think it would be a bit weird, to stand between all the family and friends of someone you've never met.

 

[SovietRobot]

It's one thing I can give to biker clubs like the HA. Everyone in a certain radius has to attend a members funeral.

 

[alanrim]

We had a funeral in Sheffield last summer for a guy (Micky Flynn) that owned a bike breakers. It was a celebration of his life and bikes, and was very touching to be part of [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsQr48WNLZA"]YouTube - Funeral ride of Michael (Mick) Flynn of Sheffield[/ame]

At the end of the day it is down to the family, they may not want random bikers turning up, it may not be something they want to face at such a difficult time.

 

[steveindenmark]

It depends....I have heard that in some places riders are invited to make a "Ride past" in which case I would have no problem in doing that.

I would not like to sit in a church or at a graveside of someone I did not know.

Alanrim...that was a nice tribute. No helmets..a nice concession by the police as well.

Steve

 

[keira]

I wouldn't want to attend if I didn't know someone personally. I would feel insulted if strangers popped up at a loved one's funeral and told me they were sorry for my loss. They didn't know my loved one, so I think it would just grate on my nerves, which of course would already be fragile. If I were attending for someone that Rob knew, and I didn't know, then it would be different, because I would be supporting my husband, as opposed to the family, and I could offer condolences there through his relationship with the victim... ("I'm so sorry for your loss, my husband thought the world of....")

 

[steveindenmark]

My girlfriend says "You are there to support the living. Not those who have left".

Steve