A funeral in lockdown

Yesterday I went to our family friend John Leslie’s funeral. Currently only 20 people are allowed to attend a funeral, so it is by invitation only. Alison invited me not only on my own behalf but also to represent my Mum and Dad and of course Jennifer, who could not travel here from Buckinghamshire due to lockdown. I was honoured to be asked. 

Alison and Murray had planned a warm and loving farewell to their Dad. They did him proud. Although we were not allowed to sing, the music that they chose was lovely. Instead of the usual rows of seats, the seats were spaced out around the room in ones and twos. The eulogy was very affectionate; John led a good life and had a long and happy retirement with his family. 

At the end we all filed out past the family, and we couldn’t even give them a hug, which was really sad. John was such a well known and liked figure in the community; he deserved a bigger send off. But despite the lockdown Alison and Murray gave him a funeral service which showed that he was very much loved.