Funerals

Today we had a funeral at church. I knew of the gentleman and his family as they live in our town but I didn't have a lot to do with the family.
Over the years I have administrated at a few funerals here but this was the first one that had a flower arrangement as well as the arrangement on the casket.

A local lady did it and it was just so beautiful I had to take a photo.

To get an idea of the size here is another shot taken further back in the church.
There were over 260 people there and some had to stand outside.

My job is to liaise with the funeral director, the family, vicar, caterer and any other people, i.e. the florist, and also organise a pianist and sound person, all before the day.
Then I have to have the pews moved so that the casket can be carried in and out with people either side and extra seating bought in and set up.

I have people I can call on to help but it is a very long day and today I also had to get my normal Friday jobs done as well. I hardly sat down but at the end of it all when everyone had gone I sat and took in the beautiful  display of flowers again and pondered the "meaning of life" and the wonders of God's creation.
Some would say the flowers were a waste of money and that now who is going to see them, but God gave these to us to enjoy. I certianly did and the parish will on Sunday morning at church.
Sure they will perish and pass away but their moment of glory was seen today by many.

Isaiah 40:1-9

Comfort for God's People

1 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.

2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD's hand double for all her sins.

3 A voice of one calling: "In the desert prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God.

4 Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain.

5 And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken."

6 A voice says, "Cry out." And I said, "What shall I cry?" "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field.

7 The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass.

8 The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever."

All scripture is from (New International Version)