when is it appropriate to make jokes about someone who just died.?

Question

how much time needs to pass before it's funny ?.

Answer 1

If you can't tell, then you're an ***. Also, if they died from something like cancer, never. Just be considerate for the people who lost that person.

Answer 2

Well the trouble is, that many people do use humour as a way of coping with grief and loss, without having to actually confront their own feelings.

Joking about someone's loss is never actually 'funny'. That is to say, if you say "Your cousin is dead, hahahaha" that's never going to get a laugh.

But people do often tell humorous stories about someone who has died, such as "Remember the time Cousin X tied his car to a tree", and that is funny because it's a way of remembering the human side of Cousin X and sharing that memory with others who also had affection for Cousin X.

In fact, I attended a funeral last week, during which a number of humorous events were told from the person's life ~ little things he did, etc. People did laugh, and remember what a sweet and funny guy he was. It was very appropriate and made a bond between people who knew him ~ everyone remembered those little funny things and we all shared the pleasant memory of it.

There really is no time limit on it. If you are remembering the person with affection, others will share that with you.

If you are doing it to be offensive or just for a cheap crack, it's never really going to get you any laughs.

Cheers :-)

Answer 3

It depends on the joke, and the person who died. For example, lets say a clown has died, it may very well be appropriate to laugh immediately upon death. That maybe the best of compliments.

Answer 4

It depends on whether the individual was one who would have appreciated the joking manner and how the family is coping with the loss. There's no set time that would be appropriate in every instance. For example, after one of my great-aunts passed away, one of my uncles (her nephew), drank a beer and then peed on her grave, and joked, "I just wanted to share a beer with her, but I know she wouldn't have wanted it to go to waste." No one in the family was offended because they knew his intentions, and they knew she would have laughed so hard about the gesture, because that was the type of person she was. But everyone and every family has their own way of dealing with death, and so what might be acceptable in one situation almost immediately might not be acceptable in another situation. Play it by ear. I wouldn't be the first to crack a joke about the deceased, personally, I'd wait until a close family member did that, and see how it was received.

Answer 5

It depends on the nature of the joke. Jokes that belittle another person are never appropriate, no matter whether the person is alive or dead. Humorous anecdotes, etc. that appreciate and honor a person are probably appropriate just about anytime.

Answer 6

We joked about my mother at her funeral. She was a character and we left time in the service for anyone who wanted to say something. Each of us contributed something, mostly humerous.

My neighbor was in the back of the room and she said, "when I met your mother she was very sick and had just moved in with Jane (me). I took her some flowers and went over to give them to her. She said, 'thanks for the flowers, Ruth, now get the hell out of here!'

We all cracked up, and Ruth did, too. Then my brother reminded us that she used to walk 18 holes of a golf course, but drive to the corner for a pack of cigarettes. It made us all feel bonded and much better.

Answer 7

Make jokes at the funeral. It will cheer everyone up. Call him names.

Answer 8

ummm.... I would wait about 4-12 months. Just look at the person to see how they are coping. Even though its still kinda inconsiderate. But please dont be a jerk and say haha so and so died!!! hahaha because then you might get hit.

Answer 9

Jokes, no...funny stories and memories, yes.

Answer 10

It's never appropriate, be considerate.