My mom spoke to me at her funeral, and this is what she said: (Besides calling my brother in a law a jerk and what did I expect, he was always a jerk and would never change....), 'Nothing that happens here on earth matters. God forgives everything....' What a gift! We know God forgives everything, but somehow this gets lost in day to day problems. She told me she wasn't old and sick anymore, that she was happy and with family and friends and that I should sit on her grave and talk about her and have a really good time. It was one of the best days of my life. So unexpected. Wonderful.
God is bigger than organized religion. We all have to find our way to Him, but the path we take is up to us. And it isn't heaven if Dogs aren't there.
That wasn't Mom and it wasn't the truth. If true there was no need whatsoever for the death of Jesus.
"My mom spoke to me at her funeral..."
My mother spoke to me after her death too. As you say, it was completely unexpected. She gave me a bit of motherly advice about something I was very worried about. What she said turned out to be true.
I have always believed in the after life, and that those gone before continue to watch over us. This experience with my mom is proof enough for me.