A funeral
A thread

Yesterday I did a funeral a lady, aged 98, she died in her sleep, in her own bed, she wasn’t particularly ill, just old, a golden death if you like. Me and the crem staff agreed we’d all take that when our time comes.

Because of the virus her family weren’t able to be there, but technology means they were able to watch the service at home via web cam. But they sent hymns and music and some beautiful words. Her neighbours came. She was loved and remembered.

It was, in many ways, a good death and a nice funeral. No tragedy, no chaos or suffering, she wasn’t too young and she had a good and full life. Not every funeral I do is like this, especially just now.

No funerals are ‘easy’ but some are definitely tougher than others. When I get a tough funeral (suicide, a child, someone young, or a violent death) I prepare myself differently from other funerals. I make sure my diary is clear afterwards too.

But this funeral didn’t need me to do that. So I had neglected to properly take in that the deceased shared the same name as my Mum. My Mum who just recently had some scary health news and is facing some scary treatment.

So when I got to the ‘We commend Margaret, Lord to your care.’ It unexpectedly got me, my throat caught a little and I ever so slightly wobbled.

This isn’t a problem, of course, and I’m fine. No one minds a wobble. Only human eh? This is what it’s like sometimes this ministry. I don’t ever stop being me or being a daughter or a wife or a mum or anything that makes Kate, Kate.

I bring all that with me to every thing I do.
#priest #ministry

Incidentally every time I phone my Mum and she asks what I’ve done today and I say ‘A funeral’ she says ‘Oh Love! I’m so sorry are you ok?’ And I say, ‘Mum, it’s been 12 years now, you get that this is my job?’

God love her