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Last week, a couple took a very unique step in their lives. They got married at the funeral of their child, who was killed in a car accident. The child had always wanted his parents to get married, as they’d lived together without it since he’d been born. It was decided to grant his last wish at his funeral, with all the family members present.
Although that type of thing might seem extreme, weddings in the face of tragedy happen all the time. Most of the time one of the wedding couple is going through something critical where they may not survive, and thus the couples get married so either the spouse will have some protection once one of them passes away, or so the child of the dying spouse will have someone to legally take care of them.
Sometimes the tragedy is occurring during the wedding, and there have to be quick decisions made as to what to do. Storms have made some weddings hazardous, even if the weddings were happening indoors. Snowstorms during winter weddings have created havoc for some couples who dared test the elements. Hurricanes and fires have been other things couples have had to deal with on their wedding day.
Lucky for Americans, one thing we haven’t had to deal with are terrorist groups deciding to use a wedding to promote their political agendas. There have been many couples who have had to think hard and long about whether or not to have a full, religious ceremony in light of such worries, or to get married against tradition by having closed ceremonies where it’s only the wedding couple and the person marrying them.
How couples handle these tragedies is important in making a determination as to how well they’ll handle being married long term. If you ever watch talk shows, occasionally you’ll see a bride who still suffers from memories of a tragic wedding, or something negative that went on. Elsewhere, you’ll read stories where other brides decided to roll with the punches and just get through it all, realizing later that what was important about the day was the joining of two people in matrimony, and everything else was pretty much just for show.
Couples might have to think quickly when tragedies occur near their wedding day, not only about themselves but about others who might be coming to the wedding. It’s never easy, but it’s an adult decision that has to be made. And, in the face of it all, who can think of a tragic reason where a wedding couple has to make a tough decision than when it concerns the death and funeral of a child?
See more:
Parents Honor Dead Son’s Wish, Wed at End of His Funeral
Couple get Married During their Seven-Year-Old Son’s Funeral Service
1 Wedding, A Funeral; Son’s Wish Granted
