A few kind words in parting

[alatar]

Thank you all for your suggestions. I will post my quotes sometime soon when my books and I occupy the same time and space.

Originally Posted by Morthoron

Ummm...Al, you're not planning on kicking the bucket anytime soon, are you?

I can't even find a bucket, let alone kick one.

Anyway, what got me started on this thinking was a funeral I attended recently. The religious leader, presiding over one part of the ordeal, spoke a bunch of words that I found neither inspiring or coherent (and add theological to the list, but that could just be me). I just thought that, when my time came, I could have something ready that would be better, more fitting, and have more to say about who I was.

Which is another issue. When my father passed, his minister presided and spoke, and as I listened, I realized that the guy didn't know my father. Sure, he used the right name, and even made passing mention to the caveat that my father hadn't been much into churchin', but from that he extrapolated a whole lot.

And sure, my father was dead, so what did he care? This was more for his wife, as this is what she wanted/needed/requested.

I found my father's brief military funeral more moving, as I knew that he would have liked it.

So, instead of leaving my last scene to someone else, I just thought that I'd prepare some of the script now.

And who *couldn't* do with a good dosing of Tolkien?

[LadyBrooke]

Oh I'm sure around here if I had Tolkien read at my funeral people would be calling me a Satanist or something. Can't wait to move away from here.

[Ibrîniðilpathânezel]

Alatar, your father's funeral reminds me all too much of my Dad's, which was just over 5 years ago. My brothers and "stepmother" would have said nothing about Dad's life and what was most important to him. They didn't even understand why I felt it important that someone who knew and loved Dad get up and say something about him at all, since they apparently believed the occasion was all about them. It's a sad thing when a man has three sons and two of his daughters wind up being the sons he never had....

[LadyBrooke]

I guess I'm lucky then. Every funeral I've been to focused more on the person than anything else. I can't imagine a funeral that wasn't focused on the person.

[Dimturiel]

Hmm, I've given some thought to this topic...I see that one of the first examples given here was Aragorn's parting speech too Arwen. Indeed, that would have been my first choice too. I also think Bilbo's poem from Many Partings would do quite nicely, especially this bit:

Now far ahead the road has gone,/ Let others follow it who can/ Let them a journey new begin/ But I at last with weary feet/ Shall turn towards the lighted inn/ My evening rest and sleep to meet

. Also, the entire I sit beside the fire and think poem would be very appropriate for the occasion. Another choice would be Sam's song in the tower of Cirith Ungol.

[Mithalwen]

Unsuprisingly many of my favourites - Bilbo's last song and the grey havens, O Lorien have been mentioned already and I read once of the funeral of a 13year old boy killed in an accident and his father read the last few pages of the LOTR which he had left unfinished at the time of his death . The poignancy of that has me in floods at the mere idea even several years on. But though I love the sea I hate sailing so I am not sure I wouldn't rather have the end of "The house at Pooh Corner" and be played out to "Always look on the bright side of life" . Birthday and Christmas gifts prove that my alleged nearest and dearest have no idea what I like so if I weren't of the "put me out with the rubbish" school of funerals I would have to specify which is a bit egotistical.... but if egotism is the order of the day (and if at your funeral why not? ) How about "mourn not overmuch..mighty was the fallen.. meet was her ending."

Unless I die overseas I should like my bones to lie in the Woodland Burial ground where my mother is(and we made her funeral a good mix with the comfort of the BCP funeral sentences and favourite hymns and the personal - "Good night Sweetheart was played before the postlude"). I should like an elvish beech to mark my grave and this on it's plaque.

"Namárië! Nai hiruvalyë Valimar!
Nai elyë hiruva! Namárië!"

[Inziladun]

I've always been moved by Théoden's words to Merry on the Pelannor.

"My body is broken. I go to my fathers. And even in their mighty company I shall not now be ashamed."

That's what I'd prefer should I go out 'in action'.

On a lighter note, I could throw them for a loop and have played a recording of myself in a Gollum-voice howling "Preciousssss!.

[Thinlómien]

Originally Posted by Dimturiel

Also, the entire I sit beside the fire and think poem would be very appropriate for the occasion. Another choice would be Sam's song in the tower of Cirith Ungol.

Actually, when my great grandfather died a bit more than ten years ago, my aunt sang the song in his memorial party. I don't think he knew Tolkien, but she loves LotR and she thought the lyrics very appropriate (my great grandfather was quite old when he died, I think he made it to 94 or something like that). And as for the melody, a Finnish theatre performed a piece of LotR in 1989 (?) and they composed several of the songs, so that's where she got it from. I was quite young then but I remember the occasion.