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What to say when releasing a balloon at Grandad's funeral

10 replies

coconut0 · 13/09/2014 12:04

Sorry if I sound grumpy when writing this, but I'm not feeling well.
It's DH's dad's funeral on Wednesday. I'm Jewish, he isn't (although neither of us are religious) but there is a vicar doing the ceremony. DH's sister (who seems to be stuck in the anger stage of grieving) has told me, via DH, not to get involved, so I don't feel I can ask anything about etiquette. In case this makes DH sound bad, I have told him to do whatever makes his sister happy until after the funeral, so if she doesn't want me involved, despite being part of the family for over 20 years, then I won't.
SIL wants my DD (aged 7) to release a balloon which says Grandad on it. That's fine. But what does DD say when she releases it? Does she say something like a poem, a prayer, 'I miss you Grandad' ? If you've ever been to a Jewish funeral you will know why I don't have a clue! I should also say that she wasn't close to her Grandad, despite him only living around the corner, that DH's parents have never made any effort with her, which is fine, but she can't say something gushing about him or how her heart is empty or she will miss him desperately.
I am sorry if I sound hard, but I want to do it right for DH, DD & her Grandad. (And I don't want to get in trouble from SIL.)

OP posts:
Millipedewithherfeetup · 13/09/2014 15:41

I don't think she needs to say anything really, 7 is a but too young for a speech or even to read a poem, either you or dh can announced that the balloon is being released and leave it at that.

Heyho111 · 13/09/2014 21:50

She doesn't need to say anything. The gesture is enough. The pressure of saying something might be too much for her.

SauvignonBlanche · 13/09/2014 21:56

I don't think she needs to say anything, my DCs and DNs didn't when they did the same.

MelanieCheeks · 13/09/2014 22:07

Nothing, or " to grandad".

coconut0 · 14/09/2014 09:29

Thank you. Can you explain what the releasing of the balloon symbolises for me as well?

OP posts:
ohbladee · 14/09/2014 09:36

Is there something else you can do rather than release a balloon? They choke and kill wildlife.

Sorry for you loss OP.

backinthebox · 14/09/2014 09:41

Sorry for your loss but I would not release a balloon either. I was not impressed the time I pulled a deflated balloon out of my horse's mouth after it landed in his field, and found it had been deliberately released as part of a balloon race. There are many nicer ways to remember someone than by deliberate littering and potentially causing harm to animals.

MrsCosmopilite · 14/09/2014 09:56

I'm very sorry for your loss, and that your daughter has lost a much loved granddad. However, I'm another in the 'no balloon' camp - they are awful for wildlife and cause litter (same with the floating 'hot air' chinese lanterns).
What about bubbles? They float off upwards/across the landscape so you could perhaps envisage them taking peace/blessings/messages?

Millipedewithherfeetup · 14/09/2014 10:09

www.balloonwishes.com/Pages/memorialballoonrelease.aspx

this site may give an explanation .

coconut0 · 14/09/2014 12:54

Thank you everyone.

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