Today I assisted my vicar with a funeral at the Crematorium. ‘Assist’ is a grand name for ‘read the reading’ but it’s another box ticked on my ‘green form’!

Before the funeral, John took me for a tour behind the scenes which was quite fascinating and not something you get to see normally. I don’t know what I was expecting, but it was efficient, clean, professional and real. It was interesting to see what happened next and he things are done carefully and respectfully.

It was weird being a a funeral of someone I had never known. Again – it’s not normally a thing you do as you really only go to the funerals of those you know! Talking to John afterwards it became clear that the opposite can be true of a vicar – it’s quite unusual to be at a funeral of someone you do know! I had not thought of that before.

After all the family funerals recently it was interesting to remain detached and observe and take part impartially. It did seem a lot easier to understand what was happening. Obviously it was still sad for the people there, and I would not want to disrespect the event in any way. All bereavement is shockingly hard for those who knew the person.

I’m unsure what funerals will be like for a pioneer minister. I wonder if they will be traditional, or if people will want to write or reframe stuff. It will be interesting to find out – although I’m not sure that I want to know too soon after I start!