First off, I would like to point out that it's not that I wasn't exactly invited to the burial, that would be crazy right?
Who even goes to a burial that they aren't invited to?
At this point, if you're Nigerian you are probably wondering if I'm truly Nigerian for asking such a question, and you would be right to question my nationality, but in my case, the deceased was my neighbor.
I remember hearing his screams and call-outs to his daughter who had to come live with him whenever his pain started, as it became more frequent and louder with time until his demise late last year.
Everyone in my neighborhood knew of him, mostly because of the screams though, he had a good life, and he died age 78.
I moved into this neighborhood about 5 years ago and that's pretty much how long I knew that old man, I used to go charge my phone at their house since our families are quite close, and we sometimes go over to visit in the evenings but I never had a conversation with him because he was way too sick by the time I got here.
From the love I saw his family give him before and after his death, I can tell that he was indeed a special man.
More picture feeds from the burial
This was the view from the entrance of the reception venue.
I got in early to meet a pretty decent setup
This table was a disaster for me later on because I wasn't served food cause the servers were prioritizing other tables over ours(Never attending an occasion like this ever again obviously!!)
Positives
There was loud music playing in the background as is normal for Nigerian burials where I'm from.
The music wasn't that great in my opinion though, the musician was a famous one from my tribe "Izon" although I don't understand my language a whole lot.
Look! the band brought a fool!
That guy brightened up my day at least, he is a fool that came with the band, he made funny faces and danced throughout which earned him a lot of tips, I'm now really considering applying for his job, I think he can spare some of his limelight[of course I'm kidding:))].
I wish you could see his smile better but I was just too hungry to be bothered
There's our star heading out of our world escorted by the undertakers looking like nearly dropping the casket a couple of times while marching the old man off gloriously
All in all, it was not an entirely regrettable occasion. It was a good experience, laughs, frowns, memories, meeting new people, just seeing a whole lot of people all in one place to celebrate a loved life was a good way to spend the weekend as it turned out.
Not that it matters when I'm dead, but it would be nice to have all these people and more turn up for me when I'm dead to celebrate me. More importantly, however, as a takeout from this experience, I would like to include in my will that proper attention is given to guests at my funeral at least.
I don't want to sign out to unsatisfied attendees, who knows, they might bring some flowers now and then...
It gets lonely six feet under you know?