I was listening to the oldies station the other day and the song, American Pie by Don McLean came on. I was alone in my car, so I belted out the lyrics "drove my Chevy to the levy, but the levy was dry" with abandon. It made me think of the first time I heard the song in 1971. My boyfriend (later my husband and eventually my ex husband) and I were driving my car to the Salt River. Somehow singing "Drove my Dodge to the river, but the river's not dry" just didn't have the same pizzaz. But I digress.
Freddie Mercury: The lead singer of the band Queen died due to bronchial pneumonia brought on by AIDS in the year 1991. He was world famous for his live performances, great singing ability and charisma. Mercury was a homosexual but was very reticent about his personal life.
Set aside funds for the funeral or other costs. A dedicated savings account for emergency bills is always a great idea. If the elderly person, or a grown *****, could set aside a cash fund of several thousand dollars, it could be there so somebody could just write checks for the bills.
If you are placing a banner on the piece it should state your relationship to the deceased. Customary banners are 'beloved Mother', 'Dearest Friend' etc. Many times a florist does not offer this as it is not something that they charge for and it costs them money. It will make the sympathy flowers you are sending look special so you should consider if it is appropriate for you.
Luke chapter 16 contains the information of two individuals who died. The one was a beggar, but godly individual by the name of Lazarus, who was, according to this world a poor, miserable mistake. He had no money, no fame and to the best of our knowledge, his job was one of those homeless persons we see on the street. No one wept at his death, and I could not even guess who paid for this funeral. One more for us taxpayers, I presume. On the other hand, we have Dives, as the old teachers called him. By all accounts, he was the kind of person we all admire. He was a man of wealth, power, and prestige. The kind of person we venerate as being a success. His funeral was the fancy one where everyone mourned.
The people are all so afraid of Death. They want to live forever. They hate Death. How could they not? Death is frightening, to be sure. It always wins. And it will come for everyone eventually, because no one can cheat Death.
Gifted individuals who have a second sight or insight into life beyond the grave share their beliefs on what lies beyond the gates of death. These thoughts help to diminish the fear of dying and it is refreshing to have a glimpse of what awaits in the realm of eternity.
https://www.pearltrees.com/helencrook8/item510240316
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https://writeablog.net/dryerwhorl5/coping-with-the-death-of-a-loved-one