A Family Funeral

We were notified at the weekend that an elderly member of our extended family had passed away. RIP.

Is it me or does it seem when you reach middle age you suddenly seem to be attending more funerals than any other occasion.  In fact its possibly the only occasion in recent years which allows us to  catch up with family member who live far away or in other countries.  
How sad is that!  

Death is unfortunately a part of life.  It can be difficult when young people pass or when it happens suddenly.  But it touches everyone on the planet at some point in the lives. 
 
In pagan times it was thought that death was a means to be reborn back into the spiritual realm where we belonged having come here to learn or experience lessons and situations.  That is where the basis for the 'wake' has come from - the celebrating of the death and moving on of the soul.  


Although a funeral is a sad event, it allows family time to say farewell to their loved one and is a good time to celebrate the departed's life and how they touched and interacted with those in their life.  It allows others to see how loved, cherished and admired the departed was and how they inspired and touched the hearts of family and friends.  


Funerals should be a celebration of life, love and a completed and accomplished journey here on earth, because after all they have not yet reached their final destination.