So I am sitting in my office, watching the rain lashing down and reflecting on the funeral I officiated last week. I had the honour of looking after a wonderful family who had lost the Matriarch of the family. I know I say it all the time, but it really is an honour to look after bereaved families; to sit with them and listen to the stories they tell. Some are sad, some are funny, but all are wonderful. People think that being a celebrant is easy, and maybe it is – but to get it right for the families you look after it should be done with thought, patience and most of all love. At the end of the day you are putting their love into words as a final good-bye some someone that will never be replaced in their eyes/hearts.
One question that I ask when I meet the family and talk about how they would like the service to run is would you like the curtains left open or closed during the Committal. There is not a right or wrong answer here it is really what the family want. On this occasion the family asked that the curtain be closed, which is absolutely their right. One gentleman who was in attendance was very upset with me because I closed the curtain. He felt it was wrong as he wanted to be able to touch her coffin before he left the chapel. This is just another example of how sorrow affects people – I’m not sure what I would want, I keep flip flopping. What are your thoughts?
