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May 30, 2007
My Fathers funeral.
The people are gone. The old church is locked the candles blown out and the flowers placed in the memorial garden. The house is quiet.
It was a perfect day. A balance of joy and sorrow that felt... right.
My Fathers coffin was carried into the 900 year old St Jame's Church by six firemen and a fire engine stood sentinel outside, it's day-glo orange starkly contrasting the green of the trees.
Inside the church the organ set a scene of reverence as Dad was rested in the alter. Ursula struggled from my hand and went up to the coffin placing a single buttercup she had picked from the churchyard next to the cellophaned wreaths.
Father Nevil gave me the nod to say my piece and I read my eulogy and one from my sister . I took a deep breath and listened to my words echoing through the nave of the church. I don't quite know how I managed it.. I think I had a little help.
I urge you to download and read the eulogy here.Download file
After the service we went to the crematorium but stopped by the fire station first. In an unbelievable moment, they brought my Father through the back of the engine house, the crews forming bowed ranks. After a short pause, they sounded the turnout alarm and my fathers casket rolled forward into the sunshine and on its way to his "last fire". .... not a dry eye.
At the crematorium I piped my Father into the chapel (more help here) and gave the old chieftain a "proper sending off" playing the traditional lament "flowers of the forest". This moment of tribute may have been the reason that I learned to play the pipes in the first place.
We love you Dad. We will miss you, and yet you will always be close.
Posted by Andrew at May 30, 2007 12:56 PM