Attending

Went to a funeral today. Didn't know the guy, although it was at my church, for someone who'd been a longtime parish member.  I wanted to be supportive.
Ever see the film Harold and Maude? From the '70's? Harold used to drop in on funerals.
I kinda felt like a Harold today. Don't plan on making a habit of it.

Attending

Why in attendance am I often, at
  services for unfamiliar persons?
Any congress between, living and dead,
  remains hallowed, passed on, beyond reason

He was a living member of this church,
  I these 10 years, he so much longer more,
Yet all his presence within these walls stands
  years before these pentameters short reach

I’ve seen caskets wheeled to the hearse, and
  black suited households hymning in hushed verse,
Urns, too many, of polished metals round,
  one's ashes once poured straight into the ground

Might be I come to greet the final pall,
  where no dead dance, bereft in death of all,
Death’s service is always so cold and bare,
  when I go, I hope someone will be there