Vote-seeking politicians unwelcome at funerals

There is a time and place for everything. For instance, one could question the integrity of political representatives who target the bereaved to enhance their own profile. This custom always gains momentum when the term of a government is ending.

These aspiring candidates often travel widely, not only moving from room to room within funeral homes and private residences, but from church to church, and graveyard to graveyard.

The bereaved are traumatised, especially if the death was untimely. They need the company of relatives, friends and neighbours, so as to cope with their loss.

Most of these callers bring food, such as home-baking or cooked dishes, to the house. Co-operative customs are a vital component of community culture before the body is laid to rest, and afterwards, as well.

But the maudlin condolences expressed by intrusive politicians who breach the boundaries of such groups are unwelcome, unless the politicians are well-acquainted with the family in question. It would probably be far more beneficial to all concerned if they did not encroach on such occasions.

The days of the ‘parish-pump’ politicians have long passed.

Margaret Humphreys

Ballynaraha,

Blarney

Co Cork