To roller skate in a crematorium

[whitershadeofpale]

I’ve been learning to skate at a roller derby fundamentals programme and I’m loving it- however I’m not very good and need lots of practice.

I’m not good enough to skate on uneven ground and feel very self conscious about being a woman in her mid thirties struggling to stay upright!

All of the parks nearby are very busy and hilly and uneven so not suitable for skating. I was moaning about it to DP who suggested the local crematorium, it has lovely gardens and a really smooth wide car park that would be perfect for skating on.

My instant reaction was that it would be disrespectful and wrong but when he asked me why I couldn’t articulate it. I’ve been jogging there before and see joggers every time I’m there (you cut through it to get to local playing fields and a play park) plus dog walkers, cyclists and just people going for a walk.

Obviously I’d never dream of practising at any time when a service might be on, but would it be so terrible in the evening or early morning? Logically I think DP is right and it’s just exercise the same as running but somehow it seems too exuberant and joyous to be appropriate, what do you think, wibu to skate at a quite time?

@Mydogmylife

Well, there wouldn't be any graves would there , it's a crematorium not a graveyard!!!

Well there wouldn't be any graves there or memorials, since she's talking about the car park.

Jésus wept.

no

I would be so angry and hurt if I were mourning and saw someone roller skating in a graveyard or anywhere near where a loved one's remains were interred. Even Neanderthals had respect for the dead. This is a tradition going back for tens of thousands of years. I believe it is hardwired into the human mind to care for human remains with a certain amount of reverence, generally speaking. Rollerblading would feel like a slap in the face to someone who is grieving.

Rollerblading would feel like a slap in the face to someone who is grieving.

I might be to some people but this thread demonstrates quite clearly that some wouldn't mind at all.

I was thinking about this thread and remembering all of the children's activities we have in our church and parish hall which are surrounded by a graveyard. There are lots of new graves and places where ashes are interred.
The children spent lots of time running around, playing games, riding scooters along the paths, in the graveyard. I can't remember anyone suggesting it was at all inappropriate or disrespectful.

"I might be to some people but this thread demonstrates quite clearly that some wouldn't mind at all."

On balance I think I would prioritise the feelings of a grieving person over the desire of a rollerskater to practise on a smooth surface.

Even if it's 50/50, with 50% of mourners thinking it'd be just wonderful to see skaters, rollerbladers, circus performers, people on pogo sticks leaping about and so on, then I say we respect the wishes of the other 50% who are basically thinking 'surely there are other more appropriate places to do those things.'