Why did these workers weep at a homeless man's funeral?

[Ivan Seeking]

Ugh, this story got to me.

As a bagpiper, I play many gigs. Recently I was asked by a funeral director to play at a graveside service for a homeless man. He had no family or friends, so the service was to be at a pauper's cemetery in the Kentucky back country.

As I was not familiar with the backwoods, I got lost and, being a typical man, I didn't stop for directions. I finally arrived an hour late and saw the funeral guy had evidently gone and the hearse was nowhere in sight. There were only the diggers and crew left and they were eating lunch.

I felt badly and apologized to the men for being late. I went to the side of the grave and looked down and the vault lid was already in place. I didn't know what else to do, so I started to play.

The workers put down their lunches and began to gather around. I played out my heart and soul for this man with no family and friends. I played like I've never played before for this homeless man. And as I played 'Amazing Grace,' the workers began to weep. They wept, I wept, we all wept together. When I finished I packed up my bagpipes and started for my car. Though my head hung low, my heart was full.

As I opened the door to my car, I heard one of the workers say, "I never seen nothin' like that before and I've been putting in septic tanks for twenty years." Apparently I'm still lost...

 

[zomgwtf]

lol.

 

[Loren Booda]

Outside of Heidenheim, Germany a path near our house lead to a marker "Bettlermansgrab," that is, "beggar man's grave." The man had been known to frequent the woods, but nobody knew his name.

One winter he was found deceased in the snow and a tribute raised in his honor. So much humanity for a place where such a person would have been put to death not so long ago.

 

[Topher925]

:rofl: Thats a good one.

 

[LudusRex]

It is likely that these workers wept at the homeless man's funeral because the bagpiper's performance touched their hearts. The man had no family or friends to mourn his passing and the workers, who were used to dealing with death and burials on a regular basis, were moved by the bagpiper's heartfelt tribute. The music and the emotion it evoked may have reminded them of their own mortality and the importance of honoring and remembering those who may not have anyone else to do so. It serves as a reminder that every life is valuable and deserving of respect and dignity, regardless of their circumstances. The bagpiper's act of kindness and empathy towards a stranger brought a sense of humanity and connection to a seemingly lonely and forgotten funeral. It is a testament to the power of music and the ability for a simple gesture to bring people together in a moment of shared emotion.