As she stood by her father’s open casket, she spoke to him softly. I was busy with
one of the many tasks of a Funeral Director, carefully placing flowers around the
room. She had been there for a while, deep in conversation, and I didn’t want to
disturb her. Quietly, I continued my work.
As I was leaving the room, she stopped me. “May I ask you a question?” she said
softly.
“Of course,” I replied.
“Do you think my dad can hear what I’m saying to him?”
Her question caught me off guard. How could I answer something I truly didn’t
know? I didn’t want to pause for too long, so I responded gently:
“Do you think he can hear you?”
“Yes,” she said.
“Then I’ll bet he can,” I replied.
Who am I to take away her hope? Her belief that her father could hear the words
she wished she’d said during his life was something deeply personal. As Funeral Directors, we don’t have all the answers. We can’t magically erase grief or provide perfect solutions to ease the pain of loss. But one thing I know for sure:
Death is personal.
What you believe, spiritually or otherwise, is entirely your choice. My role is to
help you care for your loved one, however you choose to honor them. And one more certainty I’ve learned: if we share our feelings, our love, and our gratitude with the people we care about while they are alive, we won’t find ourselves standing by an open casket, wishing we had said more. Take the time to speak your heart today.
Greg Cannon
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