# 'Always Look on the Bright Side of Life' at a funeral

- Teacher: Ajahn Brahm
- Type: Story
- URL: https://beingmindfulstories.com/stories/brahm-funeral-always-look-on-bright-side
- Themes: funerals, humour, adaptability, death
- Life situations: planning a funeral, grief, death of a friend

## Synopsis (editorial summary)

At the funeral Ajahn Brahm conducts for a regular member, Mike Wright, the last piece of music — chosen by Mike, who told his wife — is 'Always Look on the Bright Side of Life' from Monty Python's Life of Brian. It makes everyone laugh and leave happy.

## The story, as told by Ajahn Brahm (verbatim captions)

except for that funeral service I gave for one of our members a couple of weeks ago, Mike Wright. Many of you if you saw him, you'd remember him— he was a regular here. And at the end of his funeral service— he told his wife this, apparently, that the last song, piece of music, at the end of his funeral service was from the 'Life of Brian', 'Look on the Bright Side of Life'. I really recommend that for funeral services for Buddhists. It made everyone laugh and happy at the very end.

## Teaching point

Even ceremonies can change and adapt; sometimes a funeral can end in laughter.

## Reflection (in the spirit of Ajahn Brahm's talk)

Mike chose Monty Python's 'Always Look on the Bright Side of Life' to close his own funeral, and everyone left smiling. Ajahn Brahm recommends it. Even ceremonies can bend. Sometimes the kind thing is to be serious and listen; sometimes it is a joke. Set the rulebook down for a moment and respond to the moment you're actually in.

## Source

- [Change | Ajahn Brahm | 17 December 2010](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgeXSJr9a4E) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 46:55 to 47:30: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgeXSJr9a4E&t=2815s

Other tellings of this story:

- [In Between | Ajahn Brahm | 27-05-2011](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uln6baN98g) (Buddhist Society of Western Australia) — watch from 55:54 to 56:43: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uln6baN98g&t=3354s