Attending a hearse passing 'funeral'

We as a family did not ask for anything.The overwhelming kindness shown to us will forever stay with us.we had people clap and balloons also my niece's favourite music at the time.So we had the lot.Its the thought and being there that counts.Whatever we think is by the by really.

My brother died recently and as a scattered family it was impossible for some of us to attend, so a video of the service was decided upon. It showed two of his grandsons, who had been daggers drawn with each other for a long time, sob with their arms around each other. They were on the back pews and my sister-in-law or any of the family would not have seen this incident if it had not been for the video. It was heart breakingly heart warming.

Is it my age, poor memory etc?!!! Didn't this clapping business start at Princess Diana's funeral? Personally I'm not comfortable with it. Looks as though you couldn't wait to see the back of them (the deceased person). Just my own p.o.v. I'm a bit old fashioned but silence seems more respectful to me, but each to their own I suppose

A long-serving Churchwarden at our Church knew he was dying and arranged his funeral with our Vicar.

The time came and we held the service in Church. As the undertakers prepared to bear the coffin back to the hearse the Vicar announced that Cyril had asked to be taken out to a round of applause. We obliged wholeheartedly. It was what he wanted and a lovely ending to the service.

Sometimes clapping is appropriate. Recently, a well-loved doctor at our local hospital died from Covid (caught while treating patients). At his funeral, the hearse drove past the hospital, the road was lined with (distanced) hospital staff, all in their uniforms - and they applauded as he passed. It seemed utterly fitting as a tribute to a brave man.

I enjoyed your comment about the Morris dancers, Chocolate pudding.
I think it is good to be respectful at a funeral, but it can also be seen as a celebration of life.
Quite often, a deceased person will leave his/her wishes as to how they would like their funeral to be carried out.

It is good to remember that God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

The Bodach’s friend died suddenly, and at the funeral his wife and her friends stood around the curtains at the crematorium and performed a yoga move ( may have been called Salute to the Sun) as the curtains were closing.
To each his own, but not for me.