Funerals 

The following is an email I received from a gentleman after the funeral for his wife.

Hi Charley

Hope you don’t mind the rather casual nature (I think!) of this medium, but I was answering an e-mail and I saw one of your earlier messages and I thought I’d write before it slipped out of my short-term memory bank – I’m still in that strange place of coming to terms with my loss and my mind is not quite ‘with it’. I remember and take comfort from the Indian poem that you read at the ceremony, and will try to abide by those sentiments.

On behalf of myself and family, I would like to thank you for the brilliant job you did on Friday. You were courteous, dignified and humorous yet efficient. We were so glad that we had found you. We all thought that everything including the tributes went off so well. You will be remembered for a long time!

I expected a good turn-out, but wasn’t it just! We were bowled over by the high regard (her name) was held in the village. The condolence cards are still arriving daily, some containing personal memories which are so touching.

Looking to the future, you are cordially invited, together with a guest of course, to attend the celebration for (her name) on the 21st. of February. Please come

Best wishes

An email from a friend of the deceased 

Hello Charley,

Many thanks for everything you did to make yesterday so fitting for (his name). I’m sure (brother and girlfriend of deceased) will be contacting you, in fact they probably have done so already, but I just wanted to add my appreciation too.

From my perspective you and (two contributors to the ceremony) combined to give a perfect representation of the man, his music and his passions. I know that this view is unanimously shared by everyone I spoke to afterwards.

The musical gathering that followed worked like clockwork with contributions from at least six of (his name)’s musical collaborations and seemed to be well received too. In fact I think everyone had an enjoyable time. The only pity is that (his name) wasn’t there to appreciate it himself. (His girlfriend) told me that she thought that (his name)‘s jaw would have dropped at the sight of so many people gathering to give him such a rousing send-off. I think that between us all we ‘did him proud’ – at least I very much hope so.

Thanks again & best wishes

From a grandson

Dear Charley,

On behalf of myself and my family, I just wanted to thank you for the wonderful job you did at my grandad’s funeral.

Your delivery was thoughtful, unhurried and sincere and consequently made a painful event a great deal easier for all of us. (Granddaughter of deceased) would especially like to thank you for your beautiful reading of her poem. You didn’t just read it, you brought it to life. Once again, our most heartfelt thanks go to you.

Warmest regards,