Positively the end
“Most of us do not want to talk about [drawing up an advance directive]. Is it up to our doctors to bring this up only in a crisis situation? Shouldn’t we be informed about our health care options, even when healthy, and especially when we have a chronic or terminal illness, and to discuss these […]
The race grows sweeter
Posted by Vale Here on the blog we often rail against society’s thoughtless pursuit of longevity. Rightly so – it is cowardice not kindness that endorses the suffering that medicine – seemingly without reflection or conscience – prolongs. But it’s important to remind ourselves that it isn’t always so; that old age can bring wisdom […]
Grief
“Grief is like a drunken houseguest who keeps coming back for one more goodbye hug.” Source
Why did we delete that blog post?
This morning we received an email which had been forwarded in error by Mr Potts, Customer Relations Manager at The Co-operative Funeralcare, to a bereaved family – not we hasten to add one of the families referred to in the message – who forwarded it to us. On reading it, we immediately deleted the blog […]
Adios Noninos
Posted by Vale In my very occasional series (see Song for my father by Horace Silver) here’s another piece written as a tribute to a much loved father. It’s a version of Adios Noninos by the great musician of the tango, Astor Piazzola.
Jennifer Paterson, Francis Bacon and other fallen stars
Posted by Richard Rawlinson — in sparklingly shameless name-dropping form – ED ‘Thank goodness for inequality,’ quipped a friend with nonchalant disregard for political correctness as we casually admired inequality’s legacy of beautiful architecture lining the streets of Belgravia this weekend. The plethora of blue plaques adorning these grand houses gave a degree of substance […]
The extraordinariness of ordinary people
“I just love the work. Much of it isn’t anything to do with being at the cutting edge of any ‘new’ movement, but about listening to people, giving them attention and valuing a person’s life that I am told was just ordinary.” Sue Goodrum, celebrant.
Close thine eyes
Posted by Vale I was at a funeral recently when this song by Purcell was played at the committal. We listened to the Treorchy Male Voice Choir, but I couldn’t find their version on You Tube so this is the Kirkintilloch Male Voice Choir instead. Close thine eyes and sleep secure; Thy soul is safe, […]
Shrine on you crazy diamond
It’s amazing, really, just how terrifically buttoned-up Brits are when it comes to commemorating their dead. Other cultures offer us examples of observances, duties, rituals and practices which can teach us a thing or two. We really ought to take them up on it. One of these is the household shrine. We’ve touched on this before […]
Yes, where were the humanists?
We’ve held this over awhile, but the question it asks remains topical. The article is about the aftermath of the Newtown shootings: The funerals and burials over the past two weeks have taken place in Catholic, Congregational, Mormon and United Methodist houses of worship, among others. They have been held in Protestant megachurches and in […]
