Details removed, out of respect and privacy
Just over a year ago I reflected on the funeral of a dear
friend, and now I come to another one, that of the husband of a sweet lady who occasionally
joins in worship at my local church. This week she and her husband would have
been married 64 years! Who can understand her grief and that of the family?
The order of service was headed, ‘A Service of Celebration
for the life of DETAILS REMOVED, *th March 1926 - *th November 2012’. The Crematorium was absolutely packed with
family, friends and acquaintances. Everyone was dressed in black; colourful
flowers atop the coffin were in sharp contrast. With clarity and an unfaltering
voice the presbyter opened the service with a short prayer. Then one of the deceased’s daughters read a
poem she had composed:
I know we are all
feeling a little bit sad,
That we’ve lost our
grandad, our friend and our dad
Together we have
cried an ocean of tears
As we feel so empty
and hold many fears
But grandad would want
us all to know he’s in a good place
And that he is
watching us all with a smile on his face
As we have made him
so proud, as proud as can be
That he raised such a
beautiful and special family
Although he has gone
we will always be together
And his spirit will
live on each one of us forever
When you look to the
sky, look for the brightest star
As that will be
grandad looking down on us from afar
There was a short hymn and a second poem by another
daughter:
Gone but not forgotten
We sat beside your
bedside
Our hearts were
crushed
And sore;
We did our best to
the end
Till we could do no
more
In tears we watched
You sinking
We watched you fade
away
An though our hearts
were breaking
We knew you could not
stay.
You left behind some
Aching hearts,
That loved you most
sincere;
We never shall and
never will
Forget you father
dear.
I’ll leave you to image the presbyter’s words as he summarised
significant events of this man’s life and those of his wife and family – such a
difficult thing to do within the time restrictions of a busy crematorium – and yet
it was a dignified service, one of sadness mingled with joy over moving
memories – a true celebration of a unique life.
The funeral is over. Times will be difficult, especially for
his wife and close family for whom prayers will be said over coming weeks. The finality
of death can be so hard, and yet for those who believe in a loving God who
opens His arms to those whom He loves and those who love Him, there is a bright
future, a glorious future. Our time here on earth is but a sojourn, but there
is a wonderful eternal future for those who are willing to take hold of the
Lord’s hand.
Matthew 11:29, 30 ‘Take
my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you
will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and My burden is light.’
Links
Funeral Eulogy
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