...That was the most fun I have ever had at a funeral....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgmkQp4OjM8


We promised him a viking funeral.  Sadly California state law would not allow us to actually burn his body, he had to be cremated first.  Even getting permission to burn his ashes was a complete nightmare.  We finally decided to do it on the reservation, this way the only thing we need was the presence and permission of the tribe's fire department. 

The service was extremely casual, people spoke and then the archers set the ship on fire.  Here's a funfact, once the wood has been doused with lamp oil, then with mead, you really really need to stand back.  The heat coming off of that thing was incredible. 

Anyway, at the end, when people were leaving, several people came up to me with the same line.  "Cate, I don't know how to tell you this, but that was the best funeral ever"  or "I have never had that much fun at a funeral before." 

I suppose that's a good thing, because it is a funeral they will never forget.