re: Phobia of funeral homes

My AAU basketball team would practice at Gilbert's Funeral Home in BR in the late 90's, which randomly had a full basketball court inside of it.

If the balled rolled into the side room where the caskets were kept, no one on my team would go get the ball beside me. They were all scared of the place. Was hilarious to me.

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The chemicals that are used in my opinion is what I'm smelling or think I'm smelling I guess.

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the only areas that should have a chemical odor should be the embalming room adn any other dressing/prep rooms in the back. If you can smell chemicals out in the main common areas something is wrong, or they just suck.

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The whole process of it freaks me out. I've read alot of info on the process hoping it would make my fear of them be at ease but I think it's only worse now. Last week I attended a viewing of a neighbor. I didn't go directly up to the casket but I still managed to peek from the distance I was at. And just like every other funeral service or viewing I have went to, I came home with the creepy thought's, hard time trying to sleep,mind playing tricks on me, etc. I understand it's a part of life and we'll all face it when it's out time.

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Really? As I've gone to more funerals, the mystique of it all has faded. Obviously there is still something unnerving about it, but nothing like you describe.

I will say that I make the decision each time of whether or not to view the body. For grandparents and such, I usually do. Although I've been to funerals of younger folks, including peers, and have declined to do so. Part of it may be my own mortality, but more so I just don't want to remember someone who was a vibrant part of my life in that way. It seems less drastic when dealing with deaths of the elderly.

Some people view it as "paying respects," and I just never really got that. If it helps for closure, absolutely do it. But I'm certain the dead don't care.

My granddaughter works part time at a funeral home while she's in school. Says it's a fun job.

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Somewhat related, I dated a girl that got absolutely horny after funerals. I made sure we went to a lot of funerals.

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