Funeral of Drummer Lee Rigby

Life is messy very often though, isn't it Gaga? The couple were separated and his wife 'hoped' they would reconcile, but in the meantime Lee had begun what was obviously a significant relationship with another woman. I think it demonstrates a generosity of spirit that Mrs. Rigby was able to invite the other woman to the funeral and I applaud her graciousness.

Did she actually invite her though??
It's always been my understanding that anyone can attend a funeral the same as the stranger that wanders in off the street to sit at the back of a wedding. Churches are open to all.
I do agree that it's a very delicate situation. If his wife did welcome her presence, then yes she deserves admiration.

They did say on the news that the family and his wife had come to an agreement that the 'fiancee' could attend.. very gracious of the wife to put their differences aside for this occasion.

Yes, it was gracious and well done her, but I am appalled that funerals seem to have become invitation events. I am talking about the funeral ceremony, not the wake or whatever family do afterwards.

It was appalling , the circumstances in which this young man died.

Both women must be grieving equally.

I always thought that unless the immediate family actually says they don"t want so & so there , anyone can go along.

Still a very , very sad business all the way round .

Probably the fiancée asked the wife whether her presence would be acceptable, given the high-profile nature of the proceedings. She wouldn't have wanted to cause any embarrassment, either for herself or members of his family.

That is probably the case .

Okay I am probably going to be shot down for saying this but here goes........
It is my understanding that Lee Rigby and his wife had permanently separated with a view to being divorced. He obviously had no intention of going back to his wife as he had proposed to his girlfriend and they had become engaged (presumably to be married when he became divorced). Is it not possible that his estranged wife would have had no intention of ever getting back with him and is now (I hate to use this word but I do hope you understand what I mean, I don't mean it literally ) enjoying being a widow? I don't doubt she is very sad at his untimely and tragic death and bless his little boy, but maybe they were parted for good. Who knows? Sorry just a thought.

......tiptoes away from that one.........

I did not know all that , it is a different slant .

Nonu, I suspect the grief of the two women will only be equal in it's complexity & difficult range of emotions. I just hope they both get the support they need from those who are close & also from those who really understand the traumatic nature of their grief because of the manner of the death & their relationship to him & each other.

This is all rather academic now but getting engaged before you are divorced sounds all wrong somehow. Its surely a matter of basic good manners to wait until you are divorced
Whatever the intrigues it still a sad loss of life.

Agreed Nelliemoser

Agreed Nelliemoser .