Funeral #3

So today I attended the third funeral of this Lent. (Come to find that our parish has been averaging about 4 a week since Lent began.) This was perhaps the most beautiful funeral that I’ve ever attended.

Louise Smith was a prominent and founding member of our parish and was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) perhaps about 6 months ago. Hers was a quick desent but from what I understand she was blessed to have passed away peacefully–something that she prayed for. We didn’t know her very well, but enough that I wanted to offer my prayers and Eucharist for her sweet soul.

I suppose one of the advantages of knowing that you are dying soon is that you can plan your own funeral. And that she did. And quite a beautiful funeral Mass she planned. The opening song she chose was “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee.” That set the tone for the rest of the Mass. I can just imagine her in heaven basking in the love and mercy of our Lord.

Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord, and may your perpetual light shine upon her.