Extracted from the Otago Daily Times. New Zealand:
A man who disrupted a Balclutha funeral, yelling vulgarities and causing distress and upset, has been remanded in custody.
Stephen John Hurring (59), of Balclutha, pleaded guilty to disorderly behaviour likely to cause violence at the Balclutha Memorial Hall.
Prosecutor Acting Sergeant Mike Gasson said about 700 mourners were at the funeral.
An intoxicated Hurring was standing in the hall’s entrance foyer about 2.10pm.
During proceedings, he became verbally abusive towards the dead person, yelling vulgarities and causing distress to mourners, including family.
Asked to leave, Hurring refused and caused a commotion, disrupting the funeral.
When restrained by an off-duty constable, Hurring lashed out.
Public defender Jo Turner said Hurring wished to apologise for his behaviour. The person who had died had been a close friend.
I’m surprised no one has commented on this. I think there’s an unruly beauty about this man’s response to his friend’s death.