Thursday, April 26, 2007
25th April. The funeral of Uncle Bill.
25th April. Family and friends came to the crematorium to share in the service to say farewell to Bill's Uncle Bill.
People waited in the car park, greeting cousins and other family members not seen by each other for too long a time.
For some it had been so long that they even had to be introduced to each other!
The funeral cortege arrives at the chapel.
The funeral undertakers check with Richard and Sue that all the arrangements are in place.
The mourners file into the chapel.
Uncle Bill's coffin is lifted from the hearse and carried by the funeral directors into the chapel.
The service was simple yet moving.
We sang 2 well known hymns that were Uncle Bill's favourites - The Lord is My Shepherd and I Vow to Thee My Country. His son Richard read a poem and his grandson, David also read a poem.
The pastor talked about Uncle Bill's life and related his death to the Christian message. There were readings from The Bible and some prayers.
Perhaps most moving of all was the message that Uncle Bill's daughter, Diane sent from Australia. It was straight from the heart and I think brought many close to tears.
+sm.jpg)
There were many floral tributes laid out after the service.
As is very common these days many people felt that their money would be best spent on providing help for the living. Uncle Bill's chosen charity was St Catherine's Hospice which has supported several family members, including me.
Others have sent money in remembrance of Uncle Bill to their own favourite charities.
Both the flowers and the donations are special.
After the service we all drove the very short distance to The Heathy Farm - a pub and restaurant where food and drink were provided.
The time after a funeral is normally a very good occasion when family members enjoy an opportunity to share news.
The only regret of course is that Uncle Bill could not be there to see both The Brands (his family) and The Monks ( Aunty Lil's family) happy together. These 2 families have been entwined for 70 years and there maybe no other times when Brands and Monks are together ever again.
This is Richard, Uncle Bill's son - Bill's cousin.
This is Celia, Uncle Bill's daughter and her son, David.
Bill talks family history with Tracy, Uncle Bill's grand daughter. In the background are the photo boards that Bill created.
This is a group of Bill's brothers and sisters and spouses sitting talking and drinking and eating and feeling a thankfulness that despite growing older and deaths, family unity remains strong.
Bill's sister Jane happily greets cousins Ann and Ted. There were so many such conversations round the room.
People waited in the car park, greeting cousins and other family members not seen by each other for too long a time.
For some it had been so long that they even had to be introduced to each other!
The funeral cortege arrives at the chapel.
The funeral undertakers check with Richard and Sue that all the arrangements are in place.
The mourners file into the chapel.
Uncle Bill's coffin is lifted from the hearse and carried by the funeral directors into the chapel.
The service was simple yet moving.
We sang 2 well known hymns that were Uncle Bill's favourites - The Lord is My Shepherd and I Vow to Thee My Country. His son Richard read a poem and his grandson, David also read a poem.
The pastor talked about Uncle Bill's life and related his death to the Christian message. There were readings from The Bible and some prayers.
Perhaps most moving of all was the message that Uncle Bill's daughter, Diane sent from Australia. It was straight from the heart and I think brought many close to tears.
+sm.jpg)
There were many floral tributes laid out after the service.
As is very common these days many people felt that their money would be best spent on providing help for the living. Uncle Bill's chosen charity was St Catherine's Hospice which has supported several family members, including me.
Others have sent money in remembrance of Uncle Bill to their own favourite charities.
Both the flowers and the donations are special.
After the service we all drove the very short distance to The Heathy Farm - a pub and restaurant where food and drink were provided.
The time after a funeral is normally a very good occasion when family members enjoy an opportunity to share news.
The only regret of course is that Uncle Bill could not be there to see both The Brands (his family) and The Monks ( Aunty Lil's family) happy together. These 2 families have been entwined for 70 years and there maybe no other times when Brands and Monks are together ever again.
This is Richard, Uncle Bill's son - Bill's cousin.
This is Celia, Uncle Bill's daughter and her son, David.
Bill talks family history with Tracy, Uncle Bill's grand daughter. In the background are the photo boards that Bill created.
This is a group of Bill's brothers and sisters and spouses sitting talking and drinking and eating and feeling a thankfulness that despite growing older and deaths, family unity remains strong.
Bill's sister Jane happily greets cousins Ann and Ted. There were so many such conversations round the room.
The photo boards that Bill prepared.
We have more pictures and I may put some more on the blog because those who were attended the funeral I think would be glad to have a reminder of all the people who were there.
