Friday 10th May 2012 – Dad’s funeral

Dad had always said that when he died he wanted to be taken back to the Midlands, to have his service of remembrance at Coseley Baptist Church which was close to where he grew up and which as a place of worship has played such a pivotal role in his life. We had arranged for his body to be transported up to Coseley from Chichester Hospital by the funeral directors, Hartlands and it was good fortune to find out that the incumbent reverend at Coseley was actually someone who knew my Dad and Mum – Rev Brian Willetts. We visited the Church a few weeks before the funeral and it looked quite different to how I remembered it. It used to stand proudly in its own grounds with a long paved pathway up to the large frontage. It was protected and hidden behind a tall brick wall and when you entered from the front it opened out into a high, cavernous structure inside with a balcony at the back and at the front stood a magnificent organ, its pipes stretching up into the rafters. (see photos). Today it has been subject to major reconstruction, it has lost its wall, its main entrance and pathway and much of its grounds. To me it looked as though it had been shipwrecked and dumped in the middle of a housing estate. I didn’t recognise it. When Mum and I walked in however our spirits were lifted as a feeling of welcome, familiarity and warmth swept over us. Inside it still felt the same and the people within made us feel very welcome and at home. Some of them knew us straight away, they remembered Mum and Dad and were full of sadness to hear about Dad’s passing. We knew that bringing Dad back to Coseley was the right thing, the only thing to do. The service was held at 11.00 am today. Mum, Bryan and family and myself travelled with the hearse from Hartland’s in Hurst Hill. Trevor, Dad’s cousin, played the organ for the service and Anna, Laura and Ella all read a poem “Take Time Be Holy” – a poem that Dad had framed and given to Anna for her confirmation. Bryan and I gave the eulogy. We thought it would be touch and go as to how we kept our emotions in check but once we were up in the pulpit we felt a sense of peace and strength wash over us and it was a gift for us to be able to celebrate Dad’s life in this way with friends and family. We ended the service with a recording of Dad playing the organ at a Church Service in 1963, it was recorded at Barrow Baptist Church with Rev David Jones as a Sunday Service for the BBC. We felt it fitting that Dad got to play the organ at his own funeral. The church was packed with family and friends, old and new, including some of my friends and Bryan’s friends; Eileen, Brian Hunt, Saboohi, Sarah and Gretchen (who produced the beautiful “order of service” for us). Often when people pass way later in life it can be difficult to find many friends and family to attend the funeral but not today.

The cremation took place at Gornal Wood Crematorium afterwards (at 13.30) and then we had booked the Green Room at Himley Hall for afternoon tea. When we lived in Wall Heath in the 60’s and 70’s we would come to Himley Hall and Park to walk our dog Paddy and it brings back so many happy memories. We set up a screen in the Green Room and showed over 100 photos of Dad to celebrate his life. It was a wonderful day and a memorable, if sad, occasion.