I attended a memorial service today for a dear family friend who died about three months ago. I’m 25 years old, and (fortunately) this was the very first funeral I’ve attended. I’m not a religious woman, but I was suprised to find myself comforted and uplifted by the words of the minister who officiated the service. The religious rhetoric was kept to a dull roar, but some passages out of the bible were read, and the minister mentioned two things that resonated with me deeply. First, he said that the happenings of man don’t always correlate to the ineffable actions of the Lord, which I thought was a rather eloquent way of stating that he didn’t understand why this woman had passed. Second, he said, “the death of a caterpillar is the end, but for the butterly it is only the beginning”. I was rather shocked to find myself enormously relieved and at peace after this was said.
Joni was an amazing woman. She dedicated her life to nursing, and was an animal lover to an amazing degree. She was my mother’s only and truest friend. My mother remembers when she brought a woodpecker in to her home to nurse it back to health because it was hurt. She was special, a force to be reckoned with and a truly special woman. We’re not entirely sure why she passed, she was very sick for the last few years, going from a size 24 to a size 6 in that space of time. I feel comforted knowing that she has moved on to some place where pain is not a reality. My aunt and I arrived at the service one hour prior, and for the entire time I was there, the flowers that stood in a vase in front of her urn did not move. But as soon as the minister began speaking they tipped over, and we all felt she was there will us.
This is one of the few times in my life when I have felt the prescense of God. I feel I have a new understanding of the role that faith can play in the grief process.
Just wanted to share…
This is what folks mean when they say the funeral is for the living and not the dearly departed.
I’m happy that you were uplifted by the service. I wish all funeral services were that meaningful! Unfortunately I have been to some which weren’t. For example, a local teen died in a 4-wheeler accident and the preacher at the funeral felt the need to ask for altar call at the funeral. :eek:
OTOH I attended one for a dear friend of mine whose dad died. She and her sister came to the podium and spoke of their fond memories. It made him (a man I hadn’t met too often) very real to me - as a loving dad.
Again, sorry for your loss, but I’m also so very glad you had a good experience.
You know, I am a religious person, yet I often find funerals (and I’ve been to enough of them) distressing. I think it takes a gentle touch on the part of the officiant to leave the participants with a sense of hope and peace upon departure.
I am VERY glad to hear that this was not a negative experience for you.
Rebekkah–My condolences to you, your mom, and everyone who loved Joni.
I’m very sorry for your loss, and so glad the service was uplifting and consoling. I almost walked out of my aunts funeral service because the preacher was giving a “hellfire and brimstone” sermon instead of an euology.
My husband’s best friend is a Mormon, and he recently lost his dad. I had never attended any service of this religious group, so I did a little internet research to make sure what was appropriate attire, etc, and gritted my teeth.
Boy, was I suprised. While the service was of course religious, it was very upbeat, not depressing at all. It really celebrated Doc’s life and the wonderful contributions he made. I was extremely impressed, although not to the extent that I have changed my mind about wanting a funeral myself!
Just cremate me, then go get tipsy and talk about how wonderful I was - even if you have to make something up!