The first coffin I ever carried was more than 40 years ago. Inside was my best friend's little old Italian grandmother, Mrs. Izzo.

We took her from the Paul Ippolito funeral home in Summit, up the steep steps of St. Teresa Church and down again to the cemetery. We were just teenagers, surprised and struggling with the weight of the box. The funeral director, an older man in a bow tie, quietly made sure we stayed upright, even, and dignified.

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Source: http://www.nj.com/