My grandpa on my father's side died in September of 2005. The memory of his funeral came to my mind the other day. Funerals can be a very sad time but I also believe events like this have a positive aspect that bring families together. I realized this the first time I moved away from home at twenty years old. I wasn't very far from home, but hadn't visited for a while and was still adjusting to my new surroundings. One particular day I was feeling quite sad and homesick. I was working for a catering company at the time and one gray, rainy afternoon, catered a large family lunch at the Greek Orthodox church in Salt Lake City, Utah. The guests came trickling in after attending a funeral and I was silently watching as family members greeted each other lovingly with warm embraces and in great joy for those they had not seen in a while. My heart swelled with a love for family as I longed to be with my own family members and enjoy their company, just like these people were doing among their own.
Grandpa was buried in Redmond, Utah, in a quiet, remote cemetery lined with trees. The burial took place on a sunny day in early autum when the air was still warm and clear. My father dedicated the grave and taps was played as the casket was lowered into the ground. The lonely sound of the trumpet was beautiful as each note was carried through the air from a distance. Then a few elderly gentlemen fired guns into the air next to the national and state flags, in memory of his service to our country. During this whole scene I was watching my family members interact and old friends embracing my grandmother as they payed their respects to my grandfather. The sun was glowing through the trees that afternoon and in between the shadows and light, I almost expected to catch a glimpse of my grandfather reveling in the company of his family and friends before his spirit moved on to another realm. I felt as if he was there though, longing to join us in our solemn, yet almost happy, kindred gathering. I glanced around numerous times but did not see my grandpa amongst us.
Although a different setting, the funeral was a similar scene to what I had seen about five years previous. Funerals to me are reunions of sorts. It can be very sad to see a loved one pass on, but sometimes I believe occasions such as these help to bring family and friends together again, creating a bond and in some cases, helps us to remember who and what is of most importance in life.
-Photos were taken by my Mother-
