I’ve only just come across this post, which dates from September 2014. I didn’t share it at the time because I thought it might be insensitive, but I’m doing so now not so much because time has passed, but because it reminds me so acutely why it’s so important to honour those we love.
Appropriately named after the famous Sgurr in the Cuillins, Alasdair was a big lad. Husband to Lindsay and father to Eilidh and Archie, he was a energetic, accident-prone bundle of fun, so his death in a motorcycle accident at the age of just 36 was about as tragic as it gets, but these comments, which were sent to me by various routes, suggest that when we do justice to a life, it really makes a difference.
This first one comes from his wife, Lindsay, and the second is from his father, Harry. I still don’t know who Kevin is, but I do know Sharon: it was Alasdair’s funeral that first made her think of training to be a celebrant and I’m delighted to say that she’s now one of my colleagues in Celebrate People
I wanted to thank you for everything you did to make my hubby’s funeral so amazing and uplifting.
I thought I would remember the day with sadness and pain but I don’t.
You made it a special day that I will cherish.
I could go on and on about how much it meant to me but I think you already know.
I really can’t thank you enough.
On behalf of my wife and family, I would like to thank you very much for the kind and sensitive way in which you conducted Alasdair’s funeral on Monday last. It was a fitting celebration of a young life cut tragically short, but your service brought smiles to many faces, and that is exactly what Alasdair would have wanted. We have many difficult days to come, but we are finding some solace in the sheer number of people who turned out to pay their last respects. Indeed, I stand somewhat humbled to think that my son had touched so many lives in one way or another. We very much appreciate your kindness and gentleness in dealing with the family at this time. With sincere best wishes and grateful thanks, Harry Knox
I attended a funeral today at Warriston Crematorium in Edinburgh which was conducted by Jim McGuire please can you pass on my highest regards for the way in which he conducted himself and the manner in which the whole process was handled, his audience contact, the pace, pitch & power of his voice was perfect for the occasion. Kevin
I hope you don’t mind me contacting you. I just wanted to thank you for the wonderful service you conducted for Alasdair Knox, on Monday. I found it a great comfort, and I know Lindsay, his wife, did too. I think humanist ceremonies are excellent. For me, they have so much more meaning than religious ones. I thought the way you dealt with the tragedy of his untimely death was very honest. At a time like that I think that’s what people need to hear…not that he was taken from is by God etc. and is now residing in heaven! Thanks again. Very best wishes, Sharon.
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