I live in Buffalo where this accident happened, and the story of the 8 car pile-up where bystanders stopped to pull people out of burning cars is still mentioned on the news. I know common-law marriage is not recognized in NY.

“He would have wanted us to celebrate his life, not grieve his death” or “she would have wanted such-and-such” are too often bandied about during funerals.

Funny how something that was “superficial and not necessary” suddenly became a “miraculous act of courage, strength, and love”. Too bad it took the death of their son for them to realize it. That’s why it’s kinda pathetic – I know, it’s blunt, but I don’t mean it in a derogatory way.

It also matters to most people to respect the last wishes of the deceased. Calling that “pathetic” is just low class.

I think this is a beautiful way for the family to celebrate.

Eh, that’s just my .02

That’s the point Alex is making, it’s not about the one who died, it’s about doing something for someone in death because it’s something they desired in life. Hell if I care though whats done for me when I’m dead, throw me in a ditch and let me rot for all I care. It’s just meat & bone. I agree with the couple that marriage doesn’t mean much to people if they are in love, but symbolically it was the last gift they wanted to give to their son. The media grabs onto whatever it can get it’s grubby hand on if it’s considered newsworthy, which can be a cat in a freaking tree on a slow news day.

How many kids wish to have a tombstone?

It does, because this was not a private event, but a well-publicized event. That is what makes me think that the funeral/marriage service was self-centered and self-serving. The media was invited, and now we have to wait and see if a Lifetime movie is in the works.

Is it really cynical to think that this was about the kid and his wish, or about 15 minutes and everything that may follow?

If we all follow your logic, emmakate, why bother having charity, monuments, heck even tombstones for the dead. They certainly don’t care anymore

And Ted – the point is that it did matter to the boy, and that the parents did something to honor his wish. Whether or not you, I or everyone else think that it should or shouldn’t matter actually doesn’t factor into it at all.

I have to agree with emmakate – it’s closing the barn door after the horses have left, a barn door that didn’t need to be closed in the first place. They had provided for him. As a memory, some people get tattoos, others get married. Whatever floats your boat.

When GWB’s sister died alone and all but forgotten, the Bushes played a round of golf rather than bother with a funeral.

If you are going to mourn, mourn. The day is not about you, but about the dead. Anything else is purely self-centered.

Honoring the memory by going forward into the future with love and shared experience.

Now, excuse me…I think I’ve got some dust in my eye or something.