Ever sat through a eulogy and thought, “Who exactly are they talking about?”

Sometimes the glowing portrait feels miles away from the person you knew. Funerals can be jarring for that reason. They often highlight the best parts of someone’s life, even if those parts weren’t always obvious while they were alive. And yes, that can stir up guilt about not appreciating those qualities sooner.

But this pattern isn’t accidental. It’s ancient, cultural, and deeply human.