What....No Funeral Potatoes?

We can't have a funeral without funeral potatoes, what are these people thinking?
We had a funeral in the ward today for Sister Heazendonk who was 84 years old. She was a great lady. She had a rough life but was a very dedicated member. She was in church up front in a wheelchair when ever she could. The whole funeral was very different. When you walk into the church building there is a man dressed in a tuxedo who works for the funeral home standing at the door with a program. Walking into the chapel you don't get blown over by all the flowers because there are none. There was a small table in the front with a picture of Sister Heazendonk next to a pretty wooden box with her ashes inside. There were two white roses in front of the box and that was all. (We did see a hearse in front of the chapel so I figured that there had to be a body some where, but I was wrong) After the somewhat traditional meeting everyone passed by the "wooden box" and paused to pay respect. Usually by bowing or lowering their head out of respect. Some stroked the picture or the box. After that everyone went to the cemetery where the ashes were sprinkled onto the ground and a dedicatory prayer was said. Then back to the church for a "Coffee Table"

A "Coffee Table" is what they serve after. It consisted of rolls cut and spread with butter and EITHER ham or cheese. Never both on the same roll of course. Then after the sandwich rolls are eaten, everyone is offered some kind of sweet roll or pastry. (No I did not make sweet rolls in case you are wondering. ) All of this is served with "Mormon" coffee or Tea, no other drinks.
Every time any food is served either at a baptism or funeral or for any other function, there are always real plates and glasses or in this case coffee cups and saucers used but never paper products so you know what happens after, only the same faithful few stay to wash and dry the dishes and clean up. I have actually enjoyed the cleanup process because it has really given me a chance to bond with the sisters plus practice my Flemish language skills.

We were told that about 60% of the people are cremated and ashes spread somewhere or taken home, 30% are buried and the rest have their ashes placed in an urn in the cemetery. After a determined length of time those who are buried are then cremated to make room for someone else. You have to remember that Belgium is a small country compared to the States so there really is no room to waste.

I remember one time while our daughter Michelle worked at a mortuary, I asked to use her car to run to the store. She told me to make sure and lock the doors when I parked it so that the two boxes of ashes that were in the back seat would not be stolen. My question is, if Michelle can haul boxed ashes in her Volks Wagon Rabbit, why did they need a hearse to move those today? I guess it is more dignified that way and the funeral home can charge more money.