麻豆社

Good Morning.

As the Royal Family gather today to thank God for the life of Prince Philip, they have faced in recent days a now familiar challenge. How to provide a fitting farewell to a husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather considering all the current constraints relating to funerals?

Because of the pandemic, it鈥檚 well over a year now since bereaved families have had to revisit funeral plans for loved ones. In the early days, restrictions were much more limiting. But, as we have learned to live with the rules which have eased with time, we have largely become more accepting of what we can and can鈥檛 do.

Four months ago, I officiated at my own father鈥檚 funeral. Even in normal times it would have been a tough thing to do. But there were new and important questions. Who could and couldn鈥檛 attend? Who could sit with whom? How to bear his body into church? OK, no singing but what about the music? There were so many questions and hurdles to overcome concerning this once in a lifetime event with so little time to decide.

Also, as for many families whose funerals I鈥檝e officiated at over the past year, because of limitations on the numbers who could attend, we made sure the service was live streamed for those who couldn鈥檛. In our case, my brother-in-law became cameraman in chief. It was strangely reassuring to see the comments, tributes and emojis willing us on as the whole family mourned dad鈥檚 passing. It was all very strange. Not what we ever imagined for this
Great-grandfather.

Today鈥檚 Royal Funeral, whilst a solemn personal moment of international significance, will also be a visual and public example of how rites of passage have adapted to these extraordinary times.

And it鈥檚 not all bad news. Many families have commented to me on how much they have liked the more personal and focussed ceremonies of commendation and committal. And that may also be true of course for the Royal family today? These days more time is spent on what is important to us following the death of a loved one. Treasured memories and the hope of glory bring comfort.

Cardinal Newman prayed profoundly that when the busy world is hushed and the fever of life is over, we look forward to a holy rest and peace at the last. We pray that for Prince Philip today and commend all who have died: may they rest in peace and rise in glory.

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