Re: Celebrating the Death

David Kaye wrote:
Prai Jei wrote:

To "celebrate" a death makes it sound like we are glad that the person named
has passed away. ("Ding, dong, the witch is dead, the wicked witch is
dead.")

However, Merriam Webster, probably the best language source of American
English, states nothing about being glad, except in the 2nd definition
("festivities or other deviation"). To quote:

1 : to perform (a sacrament or solemn ceremony) publicly and with appropriate
rites
2 a : to honor (as a holiday) especially by solemn ceremonies or by refraining
from ordinary business b : to mark (as an anniversary) by festivities or other
deviation from routine
3 : to hold up or play up for public notice <her poetry celebrates the glory
of nature>

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/celebrate

But that's not exactly the point. The point was "celebrating the death"
meaning commemorating the death rather than commemorating the life. As far as
my opinion, I believe "celebrating the death" is correct because people
weren't gathered together while Ted Kennedy was alive. They came together
after he died.

I asked my husband about "celebrating the death" and he (a life-long Roman Catholic, frequent Lector, Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist {EME}, and a member of the Knights of Columbus), says that the phrase is perfectly normal, common, and used in the Church. There is nothing improper about it.

(I've heard the usage myself, and didn't think it odd, but felt a more knowledgeable opinion than my own was needed for this post/comment.)

It seems understandable (to me, at least) that those who are not accustomed to the phrase may find it odd and possibly wrong-headed.

Btw, tomorrow and Monday, we will be "celebrating the death" of one of my husband's fellow Knights. The "celebration" involves various things, up to and including the funeral mass.

--
Maria Conlon



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