Pope and Circumstance

Ok, I understand the Pope was a very important person in the world, and to catholics especially. But I've never understood huge extravagant funerals. Even for world leaders. The dearly departed is gone, they aren't there. The funeral is for those left behind. Does doing all that make you feel better? Just think how many hungry mouths could be fed, or cold bodies could be given shelter with the amount of money that was spent on that funeral. I mean no dis-respect, just my perspective.