“Call me by the old familiar name.

Speak of me in the easy way which you always used.

Put no difference into your tone.

Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.”

~ Henry Scott Holland

Death is always hard for those left behind. Bringing together friends and family to celebrate the life of a loved one who has passed away is an enormous privilege. It is an even greater honour to conduct the funeral of someone you knew and loved.

Recently, I was asked to lead the funeral of a family friend; a wonderful, generous and kind-hearted family man with a mischievous sense of humour.

The ceremony took place on a perfect autumnal day in South Lanarkshire. Henry Scott Holland’s poem, ‘Death is Nothing at All’, was beautifully read by a relative, bringing both light and tears to the gathering. The perfect choice of poem for a man who, in the words of his family, carried laughter with him wherever he went.

We were all lucky to have known him. My love goes out to his close family and friends.