Recently, someone I graduated high school with last year committed suicide. We were good friends or acquaintances in school, but outside the classroom we never really socialized and we didn’t keep in touch after graduation. It was very sad news that consumed my thoughts for several days. However, I chose not to attend his funeral (I didn’t know his family or close friends well, so I wasn’t missed).
The reasoning behind my decision was a matter of respect. I respected the friend I had in school, but to do such an inconsolably, irreversibly horrible thing to his family and close friends is something I cannot respect. He had every right as an individual to kill himself, but given how many people cared so deeply for him, I found his choice to be ridiculous, and as such, my attending his funeral with no respect to give would have been meaningless.
What do you think about situations like this? I’m not looking for vindication, and I stand by my reasoning, but it’s such a touchy subject so I’m sure there are differing views.