We (my daughters and I) were lucky to know a wonderful inter faith celebrant who helped us create a funeral service which was right for us. Neither Barry or I were religious, but we chose to have a well known hymn for two reasons. Firstly because I felt that singing together would make the people attending the funeral feel that they were taking part and not just observers, and secondly we have great regard for the beauty and traditional music of Christianity and knew that many people attending might be practicing Christians. We had some of Barry's favourite poetry and music and a eulogy, which provoked both laughter and tears, was beautifully read by my son-in-law. We had radiant sunflowers on the coffin.
At the buffet meal afterwards we arranged that there were tables for only about half of the people expected. This meant that people moved about freely and talked to each other and indeed they did and the noise level was wonderful!
Many people commented on how beautiful the service was. (The restaurant told us later it was one of the nicest funerals they had ever had there, and a friend who had met up there with many other friends said she felt guilty because she had enjoyed it.)
I want to thank everyone who helped make it not a happy memory, but a good one, and encourage everyone to have that conversation....it's not morbid, it's important!
We will all have one. A funeral that is.
On a more practical note a cremation and a simple funeral here in UK costs around £4000.
It's as well to know...
This crow sits in my tree every early evening.
I think of it as a sentinel and like it's presence.
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