I have heard it said that "…if you want a big funeral, be sure to die young: before you’ve outlived all your friends." The other approach would be to live a long and full life, and keep making new friends as you go. That’s what filled the church for Martha’s memorial service.
I didn’t get to know her until after she had risen, phoenix-like, from the ashes of her personal demons. I only knew her as intelligent, gracious, kind, and fun. I knew her as my client, my church family, and my friend.
It’s okay to out-live your friends if that means you’re getting more out of life than they are. Of course, you only get more out of life if you put more into it, and Martha was much admired for that.