- Joined
- Nov 9, 2006
- Messages
- 1,072
Just returned from Northern MN and the burial/memorial for my grandfather which was probably one of the most appropriate events I've ever been a part of. My grandfather was a logger, welder, land speculator, farmer, and many other things just south of Eveleth, MN and died a few weeks ago at 93 in a fishing accident (drowned).
When my father and uncle went to the cemetery to be sure everything would be ready, there was a group of deer hunters dragging a nice buck out of the surrounding woods. They were very embarrassed, but my dad ensured them that his father would be honored that they had harvested such a nice animal on the morning of his burial. It had snowed a bit the day before, so there was a nice layer of white in the little rural cemetery where we gathered for a short ceremony, just 20 or so family and friends. Since he had asked to be cremated, I was given the honor of building his burial urn (simple, solid cherry). We were also allowed to dig his grave ourselves following the ceremony. Just the grandsons and sons/sons-in-laws were there to take part in the final resting of a great man.
We had a very simple gathering and a great time of story-telling of our memories of grandpa, father, brother and friend, including memories from his 96-year-old big sister and his little brother!
All in all, it was a good weekend. The great-grandkids kept everything exciting and we all enjoyed an extremely appropriate farewell to a superb human being. He will be missed.
J-
When my father and uncle went to the cemetery to be sure everything would be ready, there was a group of deer hunters dragging a nice buck out of the surrounding woods. They were very embarrassed, but my dad ensured them that his father would be honored that they had harvested such a nice animal on the morning of his burial. It had snowed a bit the day before, so there was a nice layer of white in the little rural cemetery where we gathered for a short ceremony, just 20 or so family and friends. Since he had asked to be cremated, I was given the honor of building his burial urn (simple, solid cherry). We were also allowed to dig his grave ourselves following the ceremony. Just the grandsons and sons/sons-in-laws were there to take part in the final resting of a great man.
We had a very simple gathering and a great time of story-telling of our memories of grandpa, father, brother and friend, including memories from his 96-year-old big sister and his little brother!
All in all, it was a good weekend. The great-grandkids kept everything exciting and we all enjoyed an extremely appropriate farewell to a superb human being. He will be missed.
J-