The experts are pushed to push the envelope. They offer theories on the circumstances and causes of death. They perform pop psychology on the victims. The public feeds off this commentary, and spontaneous debates erupt in office buildings and health clubs and living rooms, where people are keeping track of the latest developments and forming their own opinions. They toss bouquets and cards, and they stare or they cry.
Ministers incorporate messages of healing in their church services.
The tributes and not particularly from the ministers quickly turn to deification because that is also part of the American ritual, to go way, way over the top. Official grief must be expressed, and the intention here is to say something more profound than you're sorry, to express something more lasting than simple sympathy. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. President Clinton spoke of the uncertainty of life itself. This is how we do it.