Coldish day – St Jude's Carlton, Melbourne – 650 people filling St
Jude's church to standing only and then into the hall – tears as
people arrived and walked past the beautiful brown and silver casket
in the hearse outside the north entrance - Lindy and Chris welcoming
Ben's loving family and friends – 6 friends waiting to carry his body
to the front of the church - the sun broke out, silver trimmings on
the casket shone as they moved Ben's body into the church – silence as
the casket was carried along the left aisle - tears and tissues and a
beautiful portrait of Ben projected onto the screen for all to see –
another placed on his casket by Lindy and Chris - magnificent modern
songs of worship sung at full voice with a tight band – spoken and
demonstrated signs of love by family, friends, clergy – more
magnificent praises to our Lord –
Amazing Grace almost lifting the
roof – white petals thrown into the air over the casket as a "bald"
six carried him along the right aisle – faces with tears and smiles
and singing voices – loud really loud – casket into the gold hearse
and respectfully slowly driven away – lots of food – Ben you missed
out on the tucker :-) ☺ – white cards to write memories of Ben – envelopes
for bone marrow research - happy voices and animated chatter
throughout the afternoon tea – sun shining as we left – we mourned,
worshipped, remembered and thanked.
By Jill and Colin