Funeral for uncle S today. It was a celebration of his life and dignified, musical affair. We weren’t allowed to sing and only 14 mourners allowed for what was a Pre Covid room for 100 people, had to have all the doors open. It was of course a freezing cold day!
As is often the case we all learnt things about a relative that we didn’t know. I met really long standing important friends who were full of fab stories about him. The ward clerk from the hospital came , she had only known Steve for his last 3 months in hospital ( his room was behind her desk) but completely got his dry sense of humour and saw his non complaining and quiet dignity . It was very touching for us that she wanted to come.
Prior to the funeral we all had to provide track and trace details and specific numbers of people and if they were in a bubble so that the seats were all spaced and placed accordingly - groups were all a full 2 metres apart. Those that couldn’t attend joined by video link.
We stood around outside after by the flowers chatting for as long as we could , masks and visors being whipped off by the V cold wind - no gathering or wake allowed. It felt v odd and it is an important part to miss out on . We agreed to meet next year on his birthday to hold a memorial ‘ late wake’ event.