What is up there?

My Grandfather died in 1959, and as I wasn’t born until 1967, I never knew him.
I knew his legacy, and I grew up surrounded by many of his friends who acted in the grandfather role for me.
One of his best friends owned a funeral home. I have heard the stories of Mr. Culley phoning my Grandfather in the wee hours of the morning to assist him with a pick up call.
As my Grandfather was also a Sheriff’s Deputy, it was often a convenient match.
By the time I came along into the world, Walter Culley was an old man but still full of spirit.
There were many family funerals during my early years.
At that point when I was old enough to walk, but too young to be independent, Mr. Culley would babysit me during the outdoor service.
During these events, I found a fascination that amused him greatly.
That tailfin. That reflective chrome tailfin.
It captured my full attention and I was determined to find out what was on top of it.
Alas, I was not yet old enough to have attained the height to accomplish such a goal.
Now I know, informed by an older cousin, that is was a 1961 Cadillac hearse in dark metallic blue.
I reached. I stood on my toes. I balanced myself on that gargantuan taillight bezel. I could not make the last few inches.
Walter Culley laughed with that hollow old man’s laugh. He told me funeral home jokes which I didn’t understand then, nor do I remember now, and laughed at those.
He was a good man.
By the time I had grown tall enough, that old hearse had been traded in for a newer model and I never did find out what was up there.
I suppose this is the origin of my love for the funeral coach.