成人快手

Good morning.聽 Recently I arrived early at a large cemetery to bury ashes some months after a funeral. A smartly dressed cemetery manager directed me to the plot where family members were already gathered, amongst them were two young children. I took the opportunity to talk to them about what we were going to do. They were interested in the small box of ashes and knew that they were here to remember their grandad. The older child pointed at the cemetery manager, 鈥淲ho鈥檚 that?鈥溌� He asked, 鈥渋s he the bodyguard?鈥澛� It seemed to me not a bad description.
There鈥檚 certainly important work to be done keeping everyone safe and caring for one another around death. Balancing different needs and accommodating a variety of views requires sensitivity and care.
This was brought home to me recently when my uncle died. He was a firm non-believer and had been clear that he wanted no ceremony or fuss after his death. I thought the family showed courage in respecting his views. Having no funeral ceremony was an unusual but honest choice, however, it seemed hard for those close to him: Without an event to celebrate his life, friends and neighbours had less opportunity to hear about his death or express sympathy.聽 What did happen, and which I valued, was a flurry of tender letters in which our extended family have cared for each other in a more private way.
And it鈥檚 that care, however it鈥檚 expressed, that seems most important to me in times of loss. It points to a hope that offers sustenance, perhaps it鈥檚 a sign of a love that does not die.
God our strong hope, maker and lover of souls, be close to all who are sad or grieving today. Keep our loved ones safe and lead us to care for one another with tenderness and sensitivity. Amen