Alva James-Johnson: Rosie's YouTube funeral offers perspective

Funerals can be depressing, I know. But I saw one recently that was more celebration than gloom.

The deceased was someone I grew up with at my home church in Brooklyn, N.Y.

 Her name was Rosie.

She was a little older than me and hung with a different crowd. But the church was our little village, composed of Caribbean immigrants. We were all one big community, regardless of tribe or island of origin.

Up until her death, Rosie had been posting comments on Facebook. So many of us were shocked when we learned that she died of stage IV breast cancer after battling the disease for several years.

Friends and relatives said she lived life to the fullest up to the very end, which gave some comfort to those she left behind.

I couldn't make it to the funeral, so I watched the service on YouTube. By the time I clicked on the video, it already had more than 1,000 views. I was amazed at how technology has changed even the way we do funerals.

However, what I found most fascinating was how many people attended the service. Though Rosie was memorialized in the D.C. area where she lived for many years, a busload of people from our home church traveled from Brooklyn to attend the funeral. One of my sisters was part of the group and said it was an amazing experience.

So what made so many people travel so far for someone's funeral?

Strong bonds developed since childhood. Good memories. A sense that people of our village are beginning to pass away and it's important that we acknowledge the significance of each life.

Some of the people who attended Rosie's funeral had known her for more than 40 years, and she had obviously kept in touch.

At the funeral, there were so many beautiful stories -- how she traveled, enjoyed the arts, shared her singing talents and mentored others along the way. People joked about her witty ways and unique mannerisms.

The gospel choir that sang included young adults who had once sung in a children's choir that Rosie directed.

Tears flowed, but there were also many smiles as people reflected on the impact she had on their lives.

It's been a couple of weeks since the funeral, and friends are still posting photos of Rosie on Facebook. Many continue to pray for the husband and young son who lost her much too soon.

Several people also commented on the funeral and how wonderful it was to reconnect with so many childhood friends.

Observing it all, I've thought a lot about the brevity of life and what's really important.

There's nothing like a good funeral to get one's attention -- even if it's on YouTube.

Alva James-Johnson, 706-571-8521. Reach her on Facebook at AlvaJamesJohnsonLedger.

This story was originally published October 8, 2015 at 10:35 PM with the headline "Alva James-Johnson: Rosie's YouTube funeral offers perspective ."