The deadline for me to finish my chaplaincy studies is drawing close, I may not finish by the end of June but I will be very, very close and my trainer has told me that she will advocate for an extension because I am engaged and achieving.
The course requires me to facilitate a ceremony (dedication/ wedding/ funeral) and I haven't had opportunity to do that so a mock funeral, captured on video and sent to my trainer was going to be the way to get around it and then there was a call from my local minister "I have a funeral to do, would you like to assist?"
Now, the only part of a funeral that I really have to participate in for the sake of the course is the committal but somehow, my minister Ben, has extended my role in the funeral at each conversation we have. He will preach a very short sermon but the rest is my gig. So, right now I'm writing a blog post instead of writing a funeral plan. I'm a terrible procrastinator. :)
On Wednesday, I met the niece of the deceased, Mish. She talked about her aunt Noeleen's life, her love of craft, line dancing and community. She talked about the independence she showed and the way she grabbed life with two hands. She talked about her interest in family even when she was hospitalised and isolated due to covid.
The funeral is on Monday morning, at a crematorium I have visited over the years. I'll write out every word and I might not use the script but it will be there to help when nerves threaten to derail things.
Well, Noeleen, your earthly farewell will be officiated by a complete rookie, what would you think of that? I'm sorry I didn't get to have a chat with you before you took off but I'll do my best to give you a warm farewell
I wonder if with a name like Noeleen she might have had a little bit of Irish in her. Good luck with your task….I’m sure you’ll do right by Noeleen and her family.
ReplyDeletethe niece certainly has a lovely creamy Irish complexion
DeleteI know you'll do well.
ReplyDeletethanks Red
DeleteI think you will rock it Kylie. From what little I know of you, chaplaincy sounds like the perfect job for you.
ReplyDeleteThanks Michelle. I need to remember to speak slowly. If I get that right, it should be ok
DeleteWonderful news. I am sure that you will do Noeleen and her family proud.
ReplyDeleteThank you, EC
DeleteI have confidence that your warmth and sincerity will stand you in good stead. Good luck. Oh, is the minister sharing the pay for a funeral with you?
ReplyDeleteThe Salvation Army don't charge for funerals and if the family makes a donation it will be used by the church. so no, no pay for the student :)
DeleteI think Noreen is lucky to have you as one of the officiants!
ReplyDeleteIf I mess up, she won't know :)
DeleteGood luck Kylie. Noeleen is an Irish game, giving to a girl child in the Christmas spirit if she was born in December. I have a cousin Noeleen - it literally means "Little Christmas" - which is the name of Women's Christmas which is another long story.
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
You reminded me of a family I knew who had a Holly and Natalie beause both girls were born at Christmas.
DeleteLike everyone else here has said, I'm sure you will do a great job -- you have a warm and generous nature.
ReplyDeleteThanks jenny-o
DeleteGood luck next Wednesday Kylie! I have every confidence that you will do Noeleen proud.
ReplyDeletethank you, Yorkie. I will need to capture all my public speaking potential
DeleteMy best wishes that all goes well.
ReplyDeleteThanks Ramana! I think it will be ok if I'm prepared
DeleteI can't imagine preaching a funeral of anyone, much less someone I didn't know, but I am confident that you can pull it off because your heart will guide you. Quite often in the church I grew up in, altar calls were made at funerals, the rationale being that funerals were the only time that a lot of people went to church, so it was necessary to go all out to save them while they were there, and that if no such effort was made, the preacher would be called to account on judgment day.
ReplyDeletei thought you were going to say something along the lines of funerals being a good setting to start people thinking about their afterlife. Funny how it's all about the preachers' afterlives :)
DeleteIt was vastly easier to speak at the funeral of a stranger than the eulogies I have done for people I knew. Easier but probably less relevant.
Good luck with the funeral and with finishing your chaplaincy studies.
ReplyDeleteThanks Nick. I'll get there in the end :)
DeleteOh my goodness! I hope it went well - Noeleen would be up for your bravery - she knows that everyone has got to start somewhere.
ReplyDeleteSx
Thank you, Ms Scarlet. One of her friends is in my congregation and told me everyone thought it was a great funeral
DeleteI bet that wasn't easy, I hope it went really well. It's really Noeleen's family and friends that you need to impress, and I'm sure you did.
ReplyDeleteThe hardest part for me is trying to get up and down from a chair with enough dignity!
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