Funeral Rites

15 October 1999
Jean Genet wrote a book called that - in translation, at least. Percy's remains will be dispatched tomorrow - to fire, that being the popular mode. We'll meet, we'll sit and judge the service, and then we'll move to the Port o' Leith Bar for the real ceremony, the celebration of Percy. It'll be an easy time - no doubt whatever about Percy's views on parties!!

But still I feel a little anxious. There will be a certain clash between his real family, that is his ex-wife and children - none of whom I've met - and us, his adopted flock. There's been delay - nine days - as his death was sudden, but of course there were "no suspicious circumstances". There will also be, as always, the presence of unstable people, those who cannot - even for a brief moment - allow the attention to be on anyone but themselves. Strong words and actions might well be required.

But it'll be good - "the way he would have wanted it". Such a cliched term, yet usually apt.

The crematorium will be packed - no doubt about that. I have, in the past, had the opinion that funerals really make you worse, that they have little place in a modern, fragmented and socially isolated world. But it's not always so. In the Port o Leith and its satellites, there is a very real community cohesion which comes close to the origin of the funeral itself - a shared social and family occasion.

It'll probably be Christian. Despite Percy's avowed atheism, it's just so much easier at a time of distress to take the obvious option and settle for the Christian route, with a Cleric officiating, who hasn't ever once met the deceased. In such ceremonies the poor stiff guy has to fight for air time with Jesus Christ, who said all sorts of fascinating things, but not necessarily of the slightest interest to the dead person in question or his celebrants.

More tomorrow.