Photo by Yutacar on Unsplash I wrote, last time, about the recent death of my brother Nick. It is his funeral next week, or at least, that’s when we will all come together. We are not calling it a funeral, but rather a celebration of his life. There will be sorrow of course, but we would rather remember the good times he had, instead of weeping now he is gone.
Thanks for getting in touch Elaine. And for your kind words. It must have been hard to lose a younger brother- 61 is too young to die. I’m interested you’ve found the Irish to be more open and accepting of death. Like you, I think they have a much better attitude than many other Europeans. I am so pleased you felt a connect with my essay. I hope you continue to enjoy my writing. Please share it if you know others that might also enjoy.
Than you Jan. So kind of you to get in touch. It would please me greatly if my words could bring comfort to others too. Thanks too for subscribing to my Home Truths x
Thanks so much for getting in touch with your kind words Mandy. I’m delighted you like the idea of a living wake. It’s certainly a great way of gathering all those who are special to you and celebrating a life. I too hope we can give Nick a good send off. Thanks for reading my Home Truths. X
So glad you like the idea of a living wake Sophie. I thought it was a fabulous way of celebrating one’s life. So sorry to hear about your nephew. It’s much harder when someone is taken from us at a young age. X
So sorry for your loss. It was so comforting to read your beautifully written text about this issue, which still causes too much discomfort in the majority of most European persons. {My younger brother died a year ago, way too young with 61, we buried his ashes on Black Friday last year. Sometimes it's still difficult to cope with this loss of a sibling, which I felt was much harder than losing my super old parents (88 and 90). Yet sometimes I feel gratitude for his life.}
Having lived in Ireland for the past 23,5 years, I learnt a lot about death, most Irish have a better way to cope than my German parents. But never did I see someone dealing as creatively as your sister-in -law. Thank you for sharing her positive ritual.
Hi Susy. I'm so sorry for the loss of your brother but glad that he lived a fulfilling life. I think the living wake is an excellent idea, as I've often thought at funerals that the person who has died would have loved the gathering of all the people their lives had touched and to know how much they were loved.
I hope the celebration of Nick's life is all he would have wanted it to be. Mandy xx
That was beautifully written. So sorry for your loss. I’ve been to a few funerals all very different but one that will forever stand out for me was that of my Dutch nephew Patrick tragically lost at 39 years old. He was so very well thought of in his local town in Holland and so many locals came to pay their respects to the family which was incredibly moving. After the service there was a room for family and close friends to say their final goodbyes. My darling nephew Patrick was in an open coffin looking so handsome as he was and at peace. His young children were there along with many other younger cousins and they had all drawn pictures on his coffin and laid gifts and flowers inside. None of them were afraid to see him and I thought how wonderful to teach them that death needn’t be scary just a natural end to a rich loving and wonderful life. My darling nephew would have been a great advocate for a living wake if only he had had the chance. There would have been plenty of Grolsch beer drunk, his favourite. It’s coming up to the anniversary of his death and we shall certainly be raising a glass in memory of this dearly missed young man. I think I shall also contemplate a living wake party for myself. To gather everyone you love in your life for one final bash and dance the night away would be rather amazing xx best wishes to your family my friend xx
Thanks for getting in touch Elaine. And for your kind words. It must have been hard to lose a younger brother- 61 is too young to die. I’m interested you’ve found the Irish to be more open and accepting of death. Like you, I think they have a much better attitude than many other Europeans. I am so pleased you felt a connect with my essay. I hope you continue to enjoy my writing. Please share it if you know others that might also enjoy.
Than you Jan. So kind of you to get in touch. It would please me greatly if my words could bring comfort to others too. Thanks too for subscribing to my Home Truths x
Thanks so much for getting in touch with your kind words Mandy. I’m delighted you like the idea of a living wake. It’s certainly a great way of gathering all those who are special to you and celebrating a life. I too hope we can give Nick a good send off. Thanks for reading my Home Truths. X
So glad you like the idea of a living wake Sophie. I thought it was a fabulous way of celebrating one’s life. So sorry to hear about your nephew. It’s much harder when someone is taken from us at a young age. X
So sorry for your loss. It was so comforting to read your beautifully written text about this issue, which still causes too much discomfort in the majority of most European persons. {My younger brother died a year ago, way too young with 61, we buried his ashes on Black Friday last year. Sometimes it's still difficult to cope with this loss of a sibling, which I felt was much harder than losing my super old parents (88 and 90). Yet sometimes I feel gratitude for his life.}
Having lived in Ireland for the past 23,5 years, I learnt a lot about death, most Irish have a better way to cope than my German parents. But never did I see someone dealing as creatively as your sister-in -law. Thank you for sharing her positive ritual.
Hi Susy. I'm so sorry for the loss of your brother but glad that he lived a fulfilling life. I think the living wake is an excellent idea, as I've often thought at funerals that the person who has died would have loved the gathering of all the people their lives had touched and to know how much they were loved.
I hope the celebration of Nick's life is all he would have wanted it to be. Mandy xx
That was beautifully written. So sorry for your loss. I’ve been to a few funerals all very different but one that will forever stand out for me was that of my Dutch nephew Patrick tragically lost at 39 years old. He was so very well thought of in his local town in Holland and so many locals came to pay their respects to the family which was incredibly moving. After the service there was a room for family and close friends to say their final goodbyes. My darling nephew Patrick was in an open coffin looking so handsome as he was and at peace. His young children were there along with many other younger cousins and they had all drawn pictures on his coffin and laid gifts and flowers inside. None of them were afraid to see him and I thought how wonderful to teach them that death needn’t be scary just a natural end to a rich loving and wonderful life. My darling nephew would have been a great advocate for a living wake if only he had had the chance. There would have been plenty of Grolsch beer drunk, his favourite. It’s coming up to the anniversary of his death and we shall certainly be raising a glass in memory of this dearly missed young man. I think I shall also contemplate a living wake party for myself. To gather everyone you love in your life for one final bash and dance the night away would be rather amazing xx best wishes to your family my friend xx
So sorry for your loss
Your story is lovely to read and I’m sure will comfort others too.
Hope his Remembrance Day goes as you hope.
Kind wishes to you and yours 🧡