Funerals With a Custom Fit Lighten Up a Solemn Rite: "But that does not mean a funeral mass has to be grim. In churches that allow it, Father Wasielewski, the industry critic, drapes the pews with balloons and crepe paper. 'I try to leave grief out of the funeral,' he said. 'St. Paul says, `Do not grieve unless you have no hope.' '
At the service, he said, he tells relatives and friends of the dead: ' `How many of you think George here went to hell?' No hands go up. `Went to heaven?' All hands go up. `So let's have a celebration. We don't want anyone grieving. If anyone's going to grieve, we'd like them to leave right now.' '"