funerals in Madison are fancier, I guess

By ( articles ) | Sep 05, 2009

 Bishop Robert Morlino of Madison, Wisconsin, assures us that we should not be disturbed by the funeral of Ted Kennedy, especially because the ceremony was so "subdued." Honest. 

The only aspects of the Funeral Rites which were not low key were those on the guest-list, where family preferences are generally granted.

Sure. Most "low key" funerals are nationally televised, and a cardinal-archbishop or two routinely presides when anyone is buried. Yo-yo Ma frequently performs at funerals for Catholic bricklayers and housewives in Roxbury (hey, he lives just across town!); Susan Graham and Placido Domingo are fixtures at the Mission Church. 

Now if you wanted a fancy funeral, you'd have a half-dozen cardinals presiding, with the Boston Symphony playing Beethoven's 9th as an Offertory meditation, Bono singing Panis Angelicus, and the Notre Dame marching band leading the recessional.