Aunt Lila’s funeral was on Saturday afternoon. The theme that ran through the service was that she is now healed. Her suffering and pain from Rheumatoid Arthritis is over. Her children reported that after her last breath a huge smile came across her face….who knows what wonders she saw…we can only imagine.
It was a fairly long service first by a cousin who is a retired pastor and then by the pastor who visited her in the nursing home.
After the service a time of food and fellowship was held in the fellowship hall. A meal of scalloped potatoes and ham, tator tot hotdish, corn, coleslaw, pickles and flat bread was served…topped off by a dessert buffet of bars and cake…every kind you can imagine…I had gingerbread Far Guy had chocolate. After we finished our meal and coffee we headed to the cemetery.
The cemetery is located high on a hill, the single lane road going up was covered like an archway with changing leaves.
The gravedigger sits against the colorful tree high on the hill. My Paternal Grandparents are buried on the left side of the photo at the top of the hill.
After a graveside service we sang Jesus Love Me and the gravedigger came down from the hill to ready the casket for lowering into the vault. When the casket touches bottom it makes a thud four times as it settles into the vault. Some threw flowers into the grave. Most time the family is not present for the lowering of the casket….I have been to one other funeral where the casket was lowered in the presence of the mourners.
My Aunt would have been pleased with the church full of people that came to say goodbye and to hug her children. She would have approved of the meal…and the coffee.
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ Philippians 3:20
17 comments:
May your Aunt Lila rest in peace. For both of my parents graveside funerals the casket was lowered while we were present and we threw either dirt or floors into the grave. Kinda made it more certain that they were truly gone.
Beautiful post Connie!
It was a good funeral, it seems, if there is such a thing. You were able to see her off to the next world and have fellowship with your other loved ones. Rest in peace, Lila, after a life well lived.
You write so eloquently of your Aunts funeral. Thank you for sharing with us. I loved that she had a smile on her face. For we know where our citizenship is. And it’s not on this earth. Much love and many blessings to you and your family, Betsy
What a beautiful place to be buried in. Enlarging the pictures I could see the gravedigger sitting solemnly against the tree. What a thought provoking picture. Thank you for sharing a glimpse into your Aunt Lila's funeral.
Come to think of it, I've never been to a graveside service where the coffin was lowered. Your post and photos show the love you and others had for Lila. Did her grandchildren serve as pall bearers?
A Beautiful resting spot! Sounds like the funeral was good salve for the soul of the mourners. Your photos are so nice and the tree with gravedigger- oh my! Thank you for sharing.
Yes Grandchildren
Very beautiful, Connie!
I think country graveyards are just the prettiest places...and no prettier than in the fall. Sounds like a really nice funeral. I like that--healed. I think of that all the time when people die who have been in pain and sick for a long time. So glad she smiled. :)
What a lovely place for her final rest. Somehow I thought the tater tot dish was a Southern thing. Not great for your health but such a comfort food. Great photographs of the color.
You have left a beautful tribute. The cemetery grounds are so pretty with the Fall colors. I love that she had a smile.
It is a beautiful isolated cemetery. The grandparents being there helps to tell of the age of the cemetery. I like all the traditions in food. The southern Iowa churches all had salad buffet and loads of deserts too. Ham sandwiches must be an Iowa thing. It did look like the day was a pleasant one even though I bet it was cold.
A lovely farewell to a lady who will be missed by many
The cemetery with it's gorgeous tree and rows of grave markers looks peaceful.
It seems a good place for your aunt Lila to rest.
Nice that the grandchildren could serve as pall bearers.
Beautiful area. Interesting funeral traditions.
What a beautiful cemetery and place to be buried. I loved the picture of the procession of cars going through the cathedral of trees. I would like a funeral like that and she must be very happy and pain free now. I must admit I don't think I have ever seen the casket lowered at any funeral and I certainly didn't know about the casket settling in the vault....very interesting! Four times,once for each corner? Cemeteries can be some of the most beautiful and peaceful places. She had a wonderful send off thanks to all of you.
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