A beautiful celebration of life
@shaggin (72288)
United States
April 9, 2018 8:53am CST
I was going to do one post about my weekend but as I started writing about this one event I knew the post would be to long so I will break it up today over two posts starting with this one.
Saturday there was a Celebration of life for my late husbands cousin who was murdered in February. He was creamated and his remains were brought up here to PA from Arkansas.
Over 200 people showed up for this beautiful ceremony! It was held in a little building and was so packed that half the people (including myself) had to stand.
The portion where letters were read took two hours. That was a long time to stand on one spot elbow to elbow with everyone. With so many people in that tiny place it was very hot and the doors and windows were all fogged up.
There was a huge amount of food (I had sent what was requested of me which was dinner rolls). I ate my plate full then my daughter only ate a little of hers so I had to finish her food and was then to full to have any of the delicious looking desserts.
After everyone ate we walked down the street to a parking lot where balloons were passed out to everyone. Tied to the balloon was a card with the a photo and his name. If someone finds it they can post on his Facebook memorial page where they found it.
During this a man in a kilt played the bagpipes. It was very cold out so this was so beautiful of him to do this! The balloons were released and some people went back to eat and visit but we went home as we had been there for 4-5 hours by then.
The photo is of the carnations by daughter and I were given. Everyone was given one before they left.
13 people like this
16 responses
@LovingMyBabies (85288)
• Valdosta, Georgia
9 Apr 18
I'm sorry for everyone's loss. It sounds like a beautiful ceremony though.
3 people like this
@shaggin (72288)
• United States
9 Apr 18
@Lovingmybabies I didn’t know him very well but this was a beautiful way for everyone to remember him and get some closure.
1 person likes this
@Tina30219 (82066)
• Onaway, Michigan
9 Apr 18
Wow sounds like a busy day. The flowers are pretty
2 people like this
@shaggin (72288)
• United States
9 Apr 18
@Tina30219 Sunday was busier. Today I had to do a lot of school work with my son so I’m just getting time now to respond to notifications before posting about Sunday.
@Tina30219 (82066)
• Onaway, Michigan
10 Apr 18
@shaggin Yeah my weekend was busy so I was not on much making up for it now though.
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45120)
• Canada
9 Apr 18
Happy that everyone was celebrating a life that was sadly shortened. 
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45120)
• Canada
10 Apr 18
@shaggin If we meet in some after-this-life then we can tell them all about it.
1 person likes this
It sounds like it was a really touching and memorable time to remember him.
Keep the warmth of the feelings from that memory close to your heart when you miss him.@Juliaacv (51506)
• Canada
10 Apr 18
@shaggin I always go to services like that with the surviving loved ones in mind, the deceased's way of life has no bearing on how the service should be. If you know what I mean......none of us are perfect, but most of us are loved, and they shouldn't have to pay a price for an unliked personality.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (137939)
• India
9 Apr 18
I liked that air balloon concept. Sure someone will get that balloon and pray for his soul.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (72288)
• United States
10 Apr 18
@allknowing it was a very beautiful ending to the ceremony!
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
9 Apr 18
sounds a lovely fitting tribute event
1 person likes this
@shaggin (72288)
• United States
10 Apr 18
@arthurchappel it was very nice! Thank you
1 person likes this
@shaggin (72288)
• United States
10 Apr 18
@LadyDuck yes it was a bit odd some things. Instead of anyone talking about there memories with him people read letters he had written to his aunt while he was in jail and letters others wrote who weren’t able to attend. There were songs played that weren’t really going with the theme. It just dragged on too long.
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (67080)
• United States
10 Apr 18
I'm with Jen; I am very sorry for everyone's loss, but man that sounds like a beautiful, and perfect ceremony! I love the idea of the balloons!
1 person likes this
@shaggin (72288)
• United States
10 Apr 18
@Courtlynn it was so beautiful especially the end with the bagpipe and balloon release. There was even a table set up with photos of those who passed on before him... His grandparents on both sides, his cousin who was hit by a car and my late husband. That really touched me! So much thought was put into making this ceremony perfect!
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (67080)
• United States
10 Apr 18
@shaggin aw thats nice. I love when people put lots of thought into it. Meant the person really did matter and not just "oh we're blood so gotta I care"
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40243)
• United States
9 Apr 18
I'm so sorry to hear about your husband's cousin's murder. That affects a person in ways where you never really are the same again. I'm happy the celebration of life was nice way to remember him though
1 person likes this
@Jessabuma (31700)
• Baguio, Philippines
9 Apr 18
Wow those carnations are very beautiful and lovely...
1 person likes this
@shaggin (72288)
• United States
10 Apr 18
@Jessabuma yes they are and there was so many different colors of carnations passed out to everyone. I got my favorite color. Pure concidence I'm sure.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (182381)
• United States
9 Apr 18
It sounds like a lovely service for a tragic event. Are you in PA? I thought you were in Washington state. I love the carnations.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (72288)
• United States
9 Apr 18
@snowy22315 born and raised here in PA My daughter has both the carnations in her room.
My daughter has both the carnations in her room.
