I have to give props to funeral homes. They are one of the most reliable sources of information about the deceased. I’ve had a couple of them over the years write me an obituary, and they always seem to have the right information.
I was recently asked to record a funeral as well at the atchley funeral home. This time around, the family asked to have it done by a former employee, not a former friend. His family and I sat down and shared our memories of him. He is the husband of the oldest daughter, and he was an extremely laid back guy. He used to go to school with my daughter, and was also a big hockey fan. He also used to play golf occasionally.
Atchley’s only daughter and the only surviving child, she was born in the late 1970’s and has been in a number of nursing homes ever since. She was married to his grandfather, and they had four sons. He was also the first black man to work at the funeral home.
He’s been gone for a month now, and will be cremated next week. He leaves behind a wife and a daughter and two granddaughters. He was one of the most charismatic men I have ever met.
It’s not often that I feel compelled to say “I’d like to send my condolences,” but today is one of those days, so we’re doing it. Last night a friend of mine, a friend of his family’s, told me “I just can’t believe they’d put him in a nursing home.” I told him that the family would not be upset about his passing. I mean, really, I don’t think they will.
I think it’s a shame that he is still remembered fondly by his daughter. He was a good man, and I am sure the family would be glad to know that he is not forgotten. He loved his family very much and everyone he met was a friend to him.
I dont know the exact reasons why he decided to be cremated. But I do my best to imagine how it felt to his family to know that he is no longer with us. It was a very difficult time for them and I hope that they are happy with the service they received. The funeral director was a very nice guy, and I feel very sad for the family about the funeral arrangements, but I think that he was a good man, and that is why they chose him.
I’m only one of a few people who have an atchley funeral home obituary. I have no idea what his relationship was to his family, but I do my best to imagine how it might feel to read about him in the paper, with a big smile on his face.
I know it may not seem like much at the moment, but I believe that most of us feel this way about death. In fact, I even remember my own funeral. When my parents died I had the same reaction, and I didn’t know why I was so upset. I have no idea if my reaction and outlook are related, but I do know I am very glad that I was able to meet them again, and that it was a very peaceful time.
Yeah, I’ve had some friends die and been very sad about it. I think being sad is usually a symptom of some emotional disorder, so I knew I’d be sad.
