Today, I attended a creek-side service funeral. Very old fashioned in a lot of ways. No elaborate funeral home presentation. No expensive flowers and wreaths. No decorative casket. No expensive hearse. Just close friends and family, maybe 30 in attendance.
This frail little lady was the mother to a close friend, and a true Christian follower of Jesus' Word. She lived on a beautiful spread of rural acreage that a spring-fed creek flows through. It was her final wish to be cremated and her ashes spread in the creek to carry her across her land and out into the world.
What simple beauty!
Although I am not a subscriber to the Christian faith, per se, I was still very touched that her family followed her wishes to the letter, and that the pastor was brief and not too "preachy" in his eulogy. It was all very touching.
I think that this parallels my own wishes. I too want to be cremated. Embalming goes against my own personal beliefs in regards to the natural cycle of life. I want my ashes spread at a sentimental place so that I can return to Mother Earth. I don't want an expensive service. I don't want to be dressed in finery and put in a casket to shrivel up (but not return to dust). I don't dress this way in life. Why dress me this way in death? I've not been one for fancy cars, so don't carry me out in a big fine hearse when I leave. And most importantly... if you didn't buy me flowers in life... I can't really enjoy them when I am dead and gone. So keep your guilt-laden flora!!!
I have attended far too many funerals in my short 33 years. Many were for friends who lived way too fast and died way too soon. From all of this, I have seen a lot of things I DON'T want for my funeral... and I am very certain of what I do want!!!
In loving memory of:
James "Jamie" Daniel Rhodes (my teen years confidant)
died on my 15th birthday 1989
Martha Catherine Jackson (my closest grandmother)
died 1991
Eric Scott Turney (Fiancee)
died 1995 of a suspected homicide, though ruled accidental
Connie Martin (high school friend, Jamie's girlfriend)
died 1996 - car crash
Mary-George Brandin (Grandmother)
died 2001 - Post Op Complications
Jeff Griffin - (best friend since kindergarten)
died 2003 - Substance Abuse and Suicide
Annie Hall - (EMT Partner at Grady)
died 2006 - Complications from Infection Contracted at Grady
Melinda "Jordan" Holder (Girlfriend/Domestic Partner)
died 2006 - Substance Abuse, PTSD, Police Related Shooting
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