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| Eltham |
I like a funeral for someone who has lived long and well,
where the service is a true reflection of that person,
to some degree a dissection
and truly a celebration of that life.
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| Flowers picked from a grand daughter's garden and lovingly arranged by a daughter in law. |
A good funeral is one that brings together family,
friends, acquaintances and community.
One where people gather and reminisce, cry a little, smile
and laugh, share stories and anecdotes
with people they haven't seen for ages.
A truly great funeral makes you think
about friendship and family,
about how life has changed,
about the meaning of life,
about society,
about your own life
about what is important.
Oh...and whether you are religious or not
a truly fantastic funeral must have hymns
and people who are willing to belt them out.
It is even better if the person whose funeral
it is has chosen them herself.
Well Tuesday's funeral was one of those
and it was a for the matriach of a family
not unlike my own
at a church that was once
the centre of both our families' lives in many ways.
She was a gentle but strong woman who
raised five wonderful people.
Children, grandchildren and great grandchildren
all made contributions to the service.
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She had a chance to cuddle her newest great grandchild, who bears her name, before she left. |
Their love and respect for her were obvious in their
words, their faces, drawings, the photo boards,
the audio visual display and their clear determination
to share her life with us.
the audio visual display and their clear determination
to share her life with us.
She loved to play cards and was still beating
family members at Scrabble until quite recently.
She enjoyed traveling, sewing and a good cup of tea and a chat.
I caught up with her recently in the aged care hostel
where she lived and where Mum is residing.
She told me not to worry, that it was a good place
and she was full of assurances that Mum was in good hands.
The last time I saw her she was enthusiastically
singing along to the piano.
Vale Mrs Gangell.
A lovely celebration of her life~!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely tribute to her Hazel.
ReplyDeleteOh, that made me all teary... what a lovely post and a wonderful way to live & love, die and be remembered.
ReplyDeleteoh yeah love a good funeral too.. on my frige i have a death notice of a woman I don't even know but it was so touching i had to keep it.
ReplyDeleteA bit choked up myself. A fine remembrance. Well done.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful hazel!
ReplyDeleteTearful here as well, that was a most beautiful reflection of a lady's life. Thanks Hazel.
ReplyDeleteI went all goosey when I read your lovely tribute to VG.
ReplyDeleteVML
That's just lovely Hazel, what a beautiful life she must have had. This is how I'd like to go, loved and needed, and hopefully singing pretty loudly.
ReplyDeleteIt was a wonderful funeral Hazel and your thoughts and photographs document it beautifully.
ReplyDeleteVale Valis
Oh Hazel this made me quite sentimental and sad, it is just a few days until the anniversary of my dear old mum's funeral. You were such a gem helping me at that time. xxx
ReplyDeleteLovely post and tribute Hazel.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful tribute Auntie Hazel.xx
ReplyDeleteA brave post, Hazel. Not an easy subject, but you have handled it very sensitively.
ReplyDeleteA very touching post Hazel. Making me teary reading it! How loved she is - she must have been a wonderful, interested and interesting lady. I love that scrabble tribute.
ReplyDeleteVery heartfelt. Everyone's the richer for having known people like your lady. Thank you for this inspiring post.
ReplyDelete