The Funeral Planner by Isenberg Lynn

Author:Isenberg, Lynn [Isenberg, Lynn]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Focus Media, Inc.
Published: 2010-05-31T16:00:00+00:00

During the cab ride to the airport, I make phone calls and send e-mails putting my vendors and strategic partners into high gear.

Two days later, under sunny skies, Mr. Haggerty’s tribute service takes place at the Detroit Zoo. Sierra is there, documenting the experience on camera for Lights Out’s marketing and Web site samples, and for the family.

Mourners celebrate Mr. Haggerty’s life in a walking tribute around the zoo with gourmet coffee and a vegetarian meal as the symphonic sounds of Africa play on the speaker system throughout the zoo. The zoo’s president speaks eloquently about Mr. Haggerty, noting his commitment to animal rights and his substantial contributions over the past thirty-five years. The life bio video is projected against a flat rock wall inside the penguin gallery, since those were his favorite animals. A select group of Mr. Haggerty’s friends and colleagues, as well as his three children, all interviewed in their respective hometown months before, now speak expressively about their father and friend on camera.

Mr. Haggerty appears throughout the video talking about the meaning of his life. He concludes, “I want to thank all of you—for being a part of my life—for making it a wonderful adventure—and I wish you all as successful a journey as I’ve had. Oh, and one last thing. To my kids, life is too short, so work out your differences already. Adieu!”

People are teary-eyed and everyone’s loss seems collectively shared as they create fond memories of Mr. Haggerty with the digital photo experience. Everyone also receives a coffee mug with Mr. Haggerty’s critically acclaimed photographs on them, eliciting an array of wonderful stories about him.

Next to the monkey cage is a professional grief counselor I’ve hired to spend time with mourners who are having a particularly difficult time of it. At one point, the grief counselor uses group grief therapy with Mr. Haggerty’s three children.

I turn toward Sierra who has tears in her eyes. “Sierra, why are you crying?”

“It’s so nice to see people come together to really remember, not just show up and go through the motions of being supportive, but really participate in the grieving process together.”

I’m touched, but compliments make me uncomfortable. “Okay, um, thanks, Sierra.” I find a diversion and point. “Oooh, look over there—I think we should get a shot of Mr. Haggerty’s children bonding with their coffee mugs.”

Sierra looks, then turns back to me. “Didn’t you say that Mr. Haggerty’s biggest regret was that his children didn’t speak to one another?”

I nod. “Yeah, he did say that.”

Sierra looks at me, clearly moved by the meaning of it all.

“Quick, you don’t want to lose the shot,” I say, squirming out of the moment.

Sierra captures the reunion on tape, and I recede into the background watching the event unfold.

A thin man in glasses approaches me. “Are you Madison Banks?”

“Yes. Is everything okay?”

“Oh, yeah. I’m George Toffler.”

“Really? The George Toffler? I love your work.”

“You know my work?”

“You cover real estate for the Financial Street Journal. I especially liked your article last month on the challenges of selling real estate across cultures.

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