tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6784891745623390957.post2926820678253374838..comments2024-03-22T23:27:47.349+00:00Comments on EAGLETON NOTES: FuneralsGraham Edwardshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11196744947133121475noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6784891745623390957.post-62531537218932973202022-12-06T15:45:48.799+00:002022-12-06T15:45:48.799+00:00I only mince beef, lamb, and sometimes my gait (if...I only mince beef, lamb, and sometimes my gait (if the living room is particularly cluttered). 8-)Marchelinehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07697295230446820295noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6784891745623390957.post-70579823656646154592022-11-28T14:01:59.695+00:002022-11-28T14:01:59.695+00:00Pauline, I can look at the photos and imagine wher...Pauline, I can look at the photos and imagine where you would like to be with memories of 'the girls' jumping into the pool. I haven't decided where I'd like to be. I must give it some thought....Graham Edwardshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11196744947133121475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6784891745623390957.post-9557192463744121272022-11-27T23:27:33.273+00:002022-11-27T23:27:33.273+00:00I'm glad you could attend your friend's si...I'm glad you could attend your friend's sister's funeral in the thoroughly modern way even if the service didn't follow the trend for life celebrations. I much prefer the latter and thankfully it's been years since I attended a "God bothering" funeral. I think it pays to think about our own farewell and it's kind to let the main players know your wishes in advance. Both my parents did that and I will be eternally grateful. I'm glad you have a tree you can visit to say Hi to Andrew. For some reason I think a "place" is important, mine will be amongst trees, near the creek on the farm.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6784891745623390957.post-38925873335787524432022-11-27T08:54:25.819+00:002022-11-27T08:54:25.819+00:00Diane, our approach to death has certainly altered...Diane, our approach to death has certainly altered a huge amount in the last 25 years.Graham Edwardshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11196744947133121475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6784891745623390957.post-45066502660132582502022-11-27T08:53:00.087+00:002022-11-27T08:53:00.087+00:00Well, Marcheline, you never mince your words, that...Well, Marcheline, you never mince your words, that's for sure.Graham Edwardshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11196744947133121475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6784891745623390957.post-39278333152534506982022-11-27T08:51:49.652+00:002022-11-27T08:51:49.652+00:00Margaret, that was very much the Free Church of Sc...Margaret, that was very much the Free Church of Scotland format when I came to Lewis.Graham Edwardshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11196744947133121475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6784891745623390957.post-55034185621157618272022-11-27T08:50:54.720+00:002022-11-27T08:50:54.720+00:00Debby, when our elder son died his ashes were scat...Debby, when our elder son died his ashes were scattered at a tree planted for him. We can still visit the tree which is now very large with his name adjacent. It's in a public park with other .names<br />d' trees around.Graham Edwardshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11196744947133121475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6784891745623390957.post-22723481876796467452022-11-27T08:47:56.257+00:002022-11-27T08:47:56.257+00:00Thank you, Amy. Yes, I've 'attended' f...Thank you, Amy. Yes, I've 'attended' funerals during lockdown that I'd probably not have been able to attend in person even without lockdown.Graham Edwardshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11196744947133121475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6784891745623390957.post-25425356935875127892022-11-27T08:46:33.410+00:002022-11-27T08:46:33.410+00:00Ellen, I'm right with you there. It would be a...Ellen, I'm right with you there. It would be an exceptionally small gathering so I'd include friends.Graham Edwardshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11196744947133121475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6784891745623390957.post-32270797075790976172022-11-27T05:29:47.691+00:002022-11-27T05:29:47.691+00:00A rather sad post and subject but that is all part...A rather sad post and subject but that is all part of growing old. When we were children we went to birthday parties, as we entered adult life we went to engagement parties and weddings, then it was Christenings now sadly it is funerals. Most that I have been to lately are celebrations of life with requests to wear colorful clothes, usually colours that the deceased liked.diane bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12002292118984909883noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6784891745623390957.post-19191001654023198692022-11-25T03:27:39.847+00:002022-11-25T03:27:39.847+00:00Funerals are like weddings, and tend to bring out ...Funerals are like weddings, and tend to bring out the best and worst in people because of the high emotional pressure. My father's ghastly second wife and some other people completely ruined my father's funeral for me. I refused to speak, because I know how I felt about my dad and I didn't feel the need to parade it for those arsewipes who didn't really know him, anyway. It was like having a bunch of strangers come into your house and eat your food out of your fridge and put their dirty shoes on your sofa, having his funeral run by cretins. For me, cremation is just fine. No fuss. <br /><br />I am sorry for your loss, GB - my heart is with you.Wall-O-Withnailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07633491886599897219noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6784891745623390957.post-43043322204744886852022-11-24T19:48:47.795+00:002022-11-24T19:48:47.795+00:00The worst funeral I ever attended was for my MIL. ...The worst funeral I ever attended was for my MIL. She was hardly mentioned in the service as it was all about trying to convince us all to become dedicated Christians. Not the right place or time! A funeral is so much more meaningful if it is to remember the one who has passed. At Home In New Zealandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12835971617944752730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6784891745623390957.post-4616013396469473862022-11-24T14:02:41.834+00:002022-11-24T14:02:41.834+00:00I intend to be cremated. I asked for my ashes to b...I intend to be cremated. I asked for my ashes to be dumped into a hole in the ground and a lilac to be planted atop of them. My children were horrified. "It would be nice to have a grave to visit," my son said. The tree will mark the spot, and I like the idea that they will remember me in the spring when the scent is all around. As far as funerals, I don't intend to have one of those either. I hope that everyone breaks bread together and has a wonderful visit with each other, having been reminded that life is not to be taken for granted. Debbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09531125606268748793noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6784891745623390957.post-63488284731428782002022-11-23T20:16:33.150+00:002022-11-23T20:16:33.150+00:00Sorry for your loss Graham. I've told my child...Sorry for your loss Graham. I've told my children that when I go I don't want any sadness, I'd like everyone to say funny things about me or experiences they had with me. They do funerals by video link here too, I guess it's kind of a nice way for those who live in different places far away to be part of it.Amyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17076349937962262361noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6784891745623390957.post-54956215472029448392022-11-23T17:49:27.050+00:002022-11-23T17:49:27.050+00:00I don't want a funeral. I would rather my chi...I don't want a funeral. I would rather my children and grandchildren gather to tell funny stories about me and laugh together. Ellen D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/03776803182673252265noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6784891745623390957.post-41141114099003253272022-11-23T16:04:21.430+00:002022-11-23T16:04:21.430+00:00Glad to hear you were able to be there via video l...Glad to hear you were able to be there via video link! I was astonished to think you had hopped a jet to go all that way! Sorry for the loss of someone dear to you. The older we get the more we are alone. I'm not at all pro funerals of any kind, but vote for cremation and the scattering of ashes.<br />Jillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11791018174075586241noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6784891745623390957.post-64527481096513981092022-11-23T13:07:21.390+00:002022-11-23T13:07:21.390+00:00David, I did attend by video link and not personal...David, I did attend by video link and not personally. I loved your comment and had a good chuckle. That's pretty much my view too except that I will be cremated. Graham Edwardshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11196744947133121475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6784891745623390957.post-59933872117251296842022-11-23T13:03:00.116+00:002022-11-23T13:03:00.116+00:00Jules, I'm sorry to have misled you (and other...Jules, I'm sorry to have misled you (and others) in that I attended by video link and not in person. Graham Edwardshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11196744947133121475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6784891745623390957.post-90286795137792979602022-11-23T12:57:50.405+00:002022-11-23T12:57:50.405+00:00I'm sure that they will, JayCee. You are fortu...I'm sure that they will, JayCee. You are fortunate not to have attended many funerals. I seem to have far too many friends and acquaintances popping off this mortal coil.Graham Edwardshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11196744947133121475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6784891745623390957.post-77629574413727292832022-11-23T12:56:25.911+00:002022-11-23T12:56:25.911+00:00Thank you Mersad. It's a long time since I com...Thank you Mersad. It's a long time since I commented on your blog but I still dip in and out and am astonished at your travels.Graham Edwardshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11196744947133121475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6784891745623390957.post-71868981214513851782022-11-23T12:49:16.973+00:002022-11-23T12:49:16.973+00:00Meike, I admire that too. I certainly couldn't...Meike, I admire that too. I certainly couldn't have done so. I am far too emotional. I did manage the eulogy for one of my closest friends just before lockdown without breaking down. Amazing because when I read it now the tears well up.Graham Edwardshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11196744947133121475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6784891745623390957.post-6378349312760891422022-11-23T12:43:21.957+00:002022-11-23T12:43:21.957+00:00It was via video, Rachel. I should have made it cl...It was via video, Rachel. I should have made it clear but most of the funerals I've attended in the last few years have been via video. Graham Edwardshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11196744947133121475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6784891745623390957.post-16149874285904366472022-11-23T12:42:11.025+00:002022-11-23T12:42:11.025+00:00Adrian, this funeral was on something like Zoom on...Adrian, this funeral was on something like Zoom only much more easy to access.Graham Edwardshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11196744947133121475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6784891745623390957.post-40155441642574530722022-11-23T12:41:09.814+00:002022-11-23T12:41:09.814+00:00Video links are great things Adrian. I've been...Video links are great things Adrian. I've been to more funerals on my computer in the last couple of years than I have in 'real' life.Graham Edwardshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11196744947133121475noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6784891745623390957.post-14429268223678090112022-11-23T12:39:55.040+00:002022-11-23T12:39:55.040+00:00Red, even the austere funerals on the Island are g...Red, even the austere funerals on the Island are getting fewer and fewer.Graham Edwardshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11196744947133121475noreply@blogger.com