Another One Bites the Dust!

Think this is about rock-and-roll? Think again! At what point in time did we, as a society, become so desensitized to death that we ignore the death of a family member? I've just spent a horrendous week trying to justify, in my own mind, a family who did JUST THAT when one of their own passed away.
About 5 weeks ago, an old college friend of mine moved to the property of another of my friends. All of his immediate needs were crammed into a small travel trailer, which was, subsequently, parked next to the main house. He had recently lost his wife and was having a hard time getting his life back together and moving on. This move seemed ideal, for he was among friends who loved and respected him and would help in any way they could. Sadly, about one week ago, this same man was discovered lying face down in his bad. He had died, we believe, from a diabetic coma and heart attack. When I heard this sad news, I immediately drove to the house to add my sorrow and condolences for my friend!
Upon arriving, I learned the family had been contacted, but NO ONE was coming up from Florida to take charge of the dissolution of this man's effects and property. Indeed, they (the mother and step-father) arranged for a quick cremation of the body and the ashes to be shipped to Florida. All other matters they wanted nothing to do with! They have issued durable power of attorney to the owner of the property on which my friend died. They have said, unequivically, they want nothing to be shipped to Florida. In their words, "You can have it all. Do what you want with it." Unless things have changed at this point of composition, they plan no memorial service, no burial plot, no mausoleum slot, NOTHING!
How, in God's name, can a family so utterly dismiss the life and death of a family member? This situation completely BLOWS MY MIND! There is no way I would EVER ignore or dismiss a family member's death. Yet this family seems to be content to let their son's (brother's) friends disperse his property, close his accounts, and notify any other friends of the death. As far as I know, they've not even placed a newspaper ad!
I remember when my mother's youngest sister died of cancer some years ago. She called me and asked that I come see her before she died. I never even hesitated! I packed a bag and hit the road. Heck, I even quit a good job,because they would give me no time off for this farewell. I can recall countless times when my family called, and I responded! Is this NOT what family is about? Despite differences in views and lifestyles, families should always stick together! Even if one member has a bad reputation, he/she deserves that final farewell for a life that touched SOMEONE!
Now I want to believe with all my heart that my friend's family DOES love him and will miss him. I fail to see how they could not. He was a kind, generous, loving friend and husband! He was a teacher of our youth, for whom he had the greatest love. All animals were his brothers. He was a doting husband to his wife and a tireless provider. Sadly, they never had children, but he would have been a great dad as well. I have to believe the family knows this, and only their grief keeps them out of Tennessee at a time like this. Only this way can I forgive what seems like a callous disregard for human life, let alone their SON'S life.
I would ask all who read this to do something. If you are a religious person and are strong in your faith, pray for this man that his journey back to God and his wife will not be an unlamented one. If you're not particularly religious, then look up that family member you've not heard from in a while and find out how he/she is doing! Even if you have no real connection with this person, take time to acknowledge his/her existence and life! It just might open that closed door and remedy the distance. I don't want to live in a society where a death is followed by the societal acknowledgment of "another one bites the dust!"