A tale of two funerals

I went to funeral last week. It was for the mother of a friend who was suitably advanced in age and by all accounts was quite a character. She appears well loved by those who knew her and yet there was no more than about 15 people in the little chapel at the crematorium. The short service was conducted by a vicar who had never heard of the deceased until he was approached to conduct this short service. He prayed for the deceased which to me seems pointless.

This all happened 1 year and 2 days after the last funeral I'd attended, that of Jo Norton. The difference could not have been bigger, with a large Church packed with friends & family. A day marked with some sadness for losing a friend, pastor, leader who'd had such an impact on so very many people, but also marked with genuine celebration of the privilege of knowing this amazing woman of God. It was just about the only time I've been at a funeral where the coffin has left the church to huge applause - and it felt right & proper if not just a little odd.

Two very different funerals, two very different people but both very much loved. Both lead by people of faith but only one where the faith mattered to the deceased and the majority of those present. Both important events to the few or the many affected by their loss. Once again I'm reminded of the song by one of my favourite song writer / singers; Glenn Kaiser

"If I leave this world tomorrow, let me leave a little love behind

There is too much pain and misery, too much heartache & too much crying"