Troubleshooting Life 184, July 2 - Be wary of funeral home emotional blackmail

Today in 2021 is the funeral for my aunt, the grandmother to my wonderful cousins.

Tomorrow, I turn 25. My family and I are going to Atlantic City after the funeral to celebrate.

6:41pm -

In Atlantic City now.

The funeral was very emotional.

Emotional blackmail is how funeral homes operate, says Mom.

“Here is a business, women cry, then they buy a casket. The $3000 casket, or a $10,000 casket? What kind of wood? Cherrywood? Sandalwood?”

I joked, “get my casket from Costco.”

My brother jokes, “Get me the cheapest casket. Spend the rest on booze and girls.”

It is nice to hear my mom and brother laugh.

11:03pm

Just like my 10th birthday in Atlantic City, I walked around the boardwalk with my brothers.

We tried to win in the claw machine. We were not successful.

I took a bunch of videos.

Then, when we got back to the casino, my dad gave us like $900 he won playing craps.

And then he pulled me and Akshay into the craps game, talked us through it, and we won like $200 each.

It is INSANE. How is my dad this drunk, and playing craps this well?!

Neither Akshay nor I understand. I’m going to ask Aman, he’s smart. He has no clue.

In craps, try to bet on the highest odds, six nine and ten. “Pass” means "don’t get a seven,” unless its the first roll in which you win when rolling sevens.

Others at the table observed and commented that my dad is an amazing teacher of this game.

They wished me happy birthday! And condolences for the loss of my aunt.

And that yes indeed, funeral homes are masters of emotional blackmail.

ACTION POINT: Be wary of emotional blackmail at funeral homes