Often all a big turnout means is that there are a lot of people who feel obligated to make an appearance so others don’t think badly of them. It doesn’t mean the deceased was loved or appreciated.

Sometimes, people come because they like the person’s spouse or child and want to be supportive. I recently attended a funeral that was packed due to the fact that the person who died was a very successful businessman and community leader. I’d never even met the guy but his brother is one of my closest friends so I went.