Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[hiromichi]

What does "test the funeral waters" mean?

As members of the baby boom generation plan final services for their parents or themselves, they bring new consumer expectations and fewer attachments to churches, traditions or organ music � forcing funeral directors to be more like party planners, and inviting some party planners to test the farewell waters.
_________________
Hiromichi

[CP]

Your question is about "funeral waters," but your quotation says "farewell waters."

"To test the waters" means to give something a try, to check something out and see how it works, and whether someone wants to pursue it. If you are thinking of taking up karate, you might test the waters by taking a short beginner's class.

This passage means that the baby boomers are old enough now to be burying their parents and each other, and they are different customers for the funeral directors than people in the past. The funeral directors are acting more like party planners, and they are asking party planners to give funeral planning a try.
_________________
You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[hiromichi]

CP, Thank you very much. An apology for my mistake in my question.
_________________
Hiromichi

[CP]

Oh, no problem with the mistake. I suppose "farewell" was the word actually used by the writer.

More on "test the waters":

You can also say, "put a toe in the water," another swimming analogy like "taking the plunge" or "dive in."

Before you take the plunge by signing up for a year of karate lessons, you might put your toe in the water with a one-week introductory course.
_________________
You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[hiromichi]

CP, Thank you again. At next opportunity please tell me "nandan" of your Karate ranking.
_________________
Hiromichi

[CP]

It was just an example. I might as easily have said "Origami" or "self-hypnosis" -- I don't know anything about them, either!
_________________
You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb