--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Funeral: a pageant whereby we attest our…" description: "\"Funeral: a pageant whereby we attest our respect for the dead by enriching the undertaker, and strengthen our grief by an expenditure that deepens our ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c47/ambrose-bierce-140_death_funeral-a-pageant-whereby-we-attest-our_1010148.jpg" --- # Funeral: a pageant whereby we attest our respect for the… ![“Funeral: a pageant whereby we attest our respect for the dead by enriching the undertaker, and strengthen our grief by an expenditure that deepens our groans and doubles our tears.” quote by Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c47/ambrose-bierce-140_death_funeral-a-pageant-whereby-we-attest-our_1010148.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c47/ambrose-bierce-140_death_funeral-a-pageant-whereby-we-attest-our_1010148.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c47/ambrose-bierce-140_death_funeral-a-pageant-whereby-we-attest-our_1010148.jpg) > “Funeral: a pageant whereby we attest our respect for the dead by enriching the undertaker, and strengthen our grief by an expenditure that deepens our groans and doubles our tears.” [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Funeral rituals serve to honor the dead while simultaneously enriching the undertaker and intensifying collective grief through costly displays **In simple terms:** Funerals both honor and amplify grief via elaborate spending Key Takeaway Recognize how rituals can both comfort and complicate mourning Themes death ritual economics Mood skeptical darkly humorous Type satirical critical When to use this quote - funeral planning - memorial services - budgeting for ceremonies - cultural studies Key Concepts Grief commodification social performance cultural tradition Questions to Reflect On - How do you balance respect and restraint? - What alternatives reduce financial strain? A Different Perspective Excessive expense may distract from genuine mourning ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Funeral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funeral/) [Grief](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grief/) [Pageant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pageant/) [Respect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respect/) [Suicide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suicide/) [Tears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tears/) ## Related quotes > [FUNERAL, n. A pageant whereby we attest our respect for the dead by enriching the undertaker, and strengthen our grief by an expenditure that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/funeral-n-a-pageant-whereby-we-attest-our-respect-for-the-dead-by/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [APOTHECARY, n. The physician's accomplice, undertaker's benefactor and grave worm's provider](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/apothecary-n-the-physician-s-accomplice-undertaker-s-benefactor-and/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [BODY-SNATCHER, n. A robber of grave-worms. One who supplies the young physicians with that with which the old physicians have supplied the undertaker.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/body-snatcher-n-a-robber-of-grave-worms-one-who-supplies-the-young/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [We are for aiding our allies by sharing of our material blessings with those nations which share in our fundamental beliefs, but we're against…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/we-are-for-aiding-our-allies-by-sharing-of-our-material-blessings/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [~I'll have you know when Undertaker lost the streak at Wrestlemania I only cried for 20 minutes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/she-s-broken-2/i-ll-have-you-know-when-undertaker-lost-the-streak-at-wrestlemania-i/) [She's Broken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/she-s-broken-2/) > [WWE was looking for an opponent for The Undertaker. They needed someone for an upcoming pay-per-view. I was supposed to be just one and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kane/wwe-was-looking-for-an-opponent-for-the-undertaker-they-needed/) [Kane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kane/) > [When I was very first getting into wrestling, the Undertaker was my favorite.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kane/when-i-was-very-first-getting-into-wrestling-the-undertaker-was-my/) [Kane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kane/) > [I've often said the Undertaker is probably the guy who is at least as most respected as anybody who's ever been in the business.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arn-anderson/i-ve-often-said-the-undertaker-is-probably-the-guy-who-is-at-least-as/) [Arn Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arn-anderson/) > [ “He \[dad\] always had some kind of trouble with his leg. He’d have bandages wrapped around it all the time but he’d never go… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ozzy-osbourne/he-dad-always-had-some-kind-of-trouble-with-his-leg-he-d-have/) [Ozzy Osbourne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ozzy-osbourne/) > [My uncle is a Southern planter. He's an undertaker in Alabama.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-allen/my-uncle-is-a-southern-planter-he-s-an-undertaker-in-alabama/) [Fred Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-allen/) > [Let us endeavor so to live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/let-us-endeavor-so-to-live-that-when-we-come-to-die-even-the/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [If the eyes are the windows to the soul, you're not going to like the view.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-undertaker/if-the-eyes-are-the-windows-to-the-soul-you-re-not-going-to-like-the/) [The Undertaker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-undertaker/) > [Everybody in this business has lost. Undertaker's lost at WrestleMania, and that was never supposed to happen, but it did.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lance-archer/everybody-in-this-business-has-lost-undertaker-s-lost-at-wrestlemania/) [Lance Archer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lance-archer/) > [My interpermotional dream match would be with Undertaker. I respect who he is and what he has done in this buisnesss and is someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lance-archer/my-interpermotional-dream-match-would-be-with-undertaker-i-respect/) [Lance Archer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lance-archer/) > [My Client Brock Lesnar conquered the Undertakers Undefeated Streak at Wrestlemania](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-heyman/my-client-brock-lesnar-conquered-the-undertakers-undefeated-streak-at/) [Paul Heyman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-heyman/) ## More by Ambrose Bierce > [OBSESSED, p.p. Vexed by an evil spirit, like the Gadarene swine and other critics. Obsession was once more common than it is now. Arasthus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/obsessed-p-p-vexed-by-an-evil-spirit-like-the-gadarene-swine-and/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [DECIDE, v.i. To succumb to the preponderance of one set of influences over another set.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/decide-v-i-to-succumb-to-the-preponderance-of-one-set-of-influences/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [IMMORAL, adj. Inexpedient. Whatever in the long run and with regard to the greater number of instances men find to be generally inexpedient comes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/immoral-adj-inexpedient-whatever-in-the-long-run-and-with-regard-to/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [REVIEW, v.t. To set your wisdom (holding not a doubt of it./ Although in truth there's neither bone nor skin to it)/ At work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/review-v-t-to-set-your-wisdom-holding-not-a-doubt-of-it-although-in/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [CLOCK, n. A machine of great moral value to man, allaying his concern for the future by reminding him what a lot of time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/clock-n-a-machine-of-great-moral-value-to-man-allaying-his-concern/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [RUBBISH, n. Worthless matter, such as the religions, philosophies, literatures, arts and sciences of the tribes infesting the regions lying due south from Boreaplas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/rubbish-n-worthless-matter-such-as-the-religions-philosophies/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [There was never a genius who was not thought a fool until he disclosed himself; whereas he is a fool then only.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/there-was-never-a-genius-who-was-not-thought-a-fool-until-he/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Telephone, n. An invention of the devil which abrogates some of the advantages of making a disagreeable person keep his distance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/telephone-n-an-invention-of-the-devil-which-abrogates-some-of-the/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [WHANGDEPOOTENAWAH, n. In the Ojibwa tongue, disaster; an unexpected affliction that strikes hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/whangdepootenawah-n-in-the-ojibwa-tongue-disaster-an-unexpected/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Jealous, adj. Unduly concerned about the preservation of that which can be lost only if not worth keeping.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/jealous-adj-unduly-concerned-about-the-preservation-of-that-which-can/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [RIDICULE, n. Words designed to show that the person of whom they are uttered is devoid of the dignity of character distinguishing him who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/ridicule-n-words-designed-to-show-that-the-person-of-whom-they-are/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [Think twice before you speak to a friend in need](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/think-twice-before-you-speak-to-a-friend-in-need/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [HERMIT, n. A person whose vices and follies are not sociable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/hermit-n-a-person-whose-vices-and-follies-are-not-sociable/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [TARIFF, n. A scale of taxes on imports, designed to protect the domestic producer against the greed of his consumer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/tariff-n-a-scale-of-taxes-on-imports-designed-to-protect-the-domestic/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [A bad marriage is like an electrical thrilling machine: it makes you dance, but you can't let go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/a-bad-marriage-is-like-an-electrical-thrilling-machine-it-makes-you/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) [Explore all 1,157 Ambrose Bierce quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) ## More Death quotes > [“He wondered how it was fair that your dying should depend so much on when you were born.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/he-wondered-how-it-was-fair-that-your-dying-should-depend-so-much-on/) [Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/) > [What sets worlds in motion is the interplay of differences, their attractions and repulsions. Life is plurality, death is uniformity. By suppressing differences and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavio-paz/what-sets-worlds-in-motion-is-the-interplay-of-differences-their/) [Octavio Paz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavio-paz/) > [Most of us are convinced that we are our egos, which is who we think we are. The ego is part of our incarnation.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/most-of-us-are-convinced-that-we-are-our-egos-which-is-who-we-think/) [Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/) > [I do not want to live at the cost of the life even of a snake. I should let him bite me to death…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/i-do-not-want-to-live-at-the-cost-of-the-life-even-of-a-snake-i/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [“It was beautiful. He thought he had never seen anything so beautiful in all his life; that, having seen it, he could die content,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mira-grant/it-was-beautiful-he-thought-he-had-never-seen-anything-so-beautiful/) [Mira Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mira-grant/) > [Retirement? You're talking about death, right?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-altman/retirement-you-re-talking-about-death-right/) [Robert Altman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-altman/) > [With multiplayer, permanent death, and an ever-changing world to explore and conquer, 'A Valley Without Wind' might be the place you're looking for if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-manuel/with-multiplayer-permanent-death-and-an-ever-changing-world-to/) [Rob Manuel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-manuel/) > [“What did you see?” she asked gently. His brow furrowed, as if he could not understand the question. Then his eyes turned to the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-anthony-torino/what-did-you-see-she-asked-gently-his-brow-furrowed-as-if-he-could/) J. Anthony Torino > [Those whose life is long still strive for gain, and for all mortals all things take second place to money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/those-whose-life-is-long-still-strive-for-gain-and-for-all-mortals/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [“I practice Dying--every night-- But have not learned to, still-- Though Talented--by Mortal bones-- For such a common Skill.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-w-powers/i-practice-dying-every-night-but-have-not-learned-to-still-though/) Alan W. 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You can’t let anything that seems even semi-important pass, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-crutcher/i-think-when-you-re-dying-you-start-looking-for-important-things-in/) [Chris Crutcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-crutcher/) [Browse all 39,127 Death quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Funeral: a pageant whereby we attest our respect for the dead by enriching the undertaker, and strengthen our grief by an expenditure that deepens our groans and doubles our tears.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Ambrose Bierce" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/funeral-a-pageant-whereby-we-attest-our-respect-for-the-dead-by/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Death" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/funeral-a-pageant-whereby-we-attest-our-respect-for-the-dead-by/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c47/ambrose-bierce-140_death_funeral-a-pageant-whereby-we-attest-our_1010148.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c47/ambrose-bierce-140_death_funeral-a-pageant-whereby-we-attest-our_1010148.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c47/ambrose-bierce-140_death_funeral-a-pageant-whereby-we-attest-our_1010148.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Funeral: a pageant whereby we attest our respect for the dead by enriching the undertaker, and strengthen…” — Ambrose Bierce", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Ambrose Bierce", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Funeral: a pageant whereby we attest...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/funeral-a-pageant-whereby-we-attest-our-respect-for-the-dead-by/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/funeral-a-pageant-whereby-we-attest-our-respect-for-the-dead-by/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```