I had the honour of conducting a service for a gentleman who had been a very big part of many people’s lives. He was the owner and head chef of a Thai restaurant. His family wanted a ceremony that would include his Buddhist belief system and be accessible to the rest of his family, including his mother back in Thailand. Much thought was put into how we could honour his life and bless his soul on it’s onward journey. The family wanted to release the doves while blessing his spirit and they lit incense to place on the ground. The white horses, all the family and friends were dressed up to the nines. The flowers were stunning. I read out words from his children still living in Thailand and we exited the chapel to “Gagnam Style” which was the request of his two grandchildren, as he had often danced with them to it.
There was much crying, but also laughing and joy at the end when the doves all flew in a tight circle above the pond a the back of the Tunbridge Wells Crematorium before soaring into the sky.
Photography by Jackson and Co.
