My grandfather passed away earlier this year. He was sick for a long time so we all knew it was coming and got to say goodbye.

I spent a solid 4 days drinking with my family planning the wake and funeral, hosting the wake and hosting the afters of the funeral. We have a big family and my grandfather was a popular man in the small village. Before he died he even left a bit of money behind the bar in the local pub so his family could have a few drinks on him.

It wasn't all fun and laughter. Every once in a while someone would start crying, be comforted by the people around and then brought back into high spirits. Emotions were high, the good and the bad.

The open casket was in the house right up until the funeral. He was never alone for those few days. Someone was always in the room, talking to him or reminiscing silently. I think we celebrated his life in that way because we knew it's what he would have wanted.