Cremation and The Echo Of Life
Sometimes we lose sight of what a difference each one of us makes by simply pursuing excellence in our service to others. I had no idea of the lives touched by my father’s life until strangers showed up at his funeral with their stories of how “he’d been there for me” or “he helped our family” or “he was always an inspiration.” Rosa Parks, an ordinary woman who did extraordinary things, was not only the mother of the modern civil rights movement she was a human rights activist. The woman who will always be remembered for refusing to give up her seat on a segregated bus showed us how to live regardless of circumstances, in quiet human dignity with kindness and devotion as we serve the needs of others. Thus read the obituary distributed at Rosa Parks’ funeral in Detroit on the Feast of All Souls last November. I attended the funeral with my brother, Tom. The funeral in Detroit was the culmination of a weeklong outpouring of admiration and respect, as Mrs. Parks’ body was processed from Detroit to Alabama and Washington D.C. and back home again. The difference this humble woman made in the lives of others is part of the history of our nation. My attendance at this historic funeral was enhanced by my longtime friend and colleague, O’Neil Swanson, whose firm was called upon to serve the Parks family. Mr. Swanson invited Tom and me to join him at 6 a.m. at the museum of African American History in Detroit, where Mrs. Parks’ body had lain in state. We afforded a moment of private viewing and prayer before we processed to the Greater Grace Temple for services, which lasted until about 6 p.m. Preachers and presidents spoke at her services. Governors and senators weighed in, as well. Aretha Franklin sand and Jesse Jackson offered words of comfort. Five thousand people packed the church. From Greater Grace Temple, we processed to Woodlawn Cemetery for committal services. Along the 10-mile route to the cemetery, tens of thousands of people lined the streets. Some held candles. Some held signs saying, “Thank you Mrs. Parks.” Some were praying, all were “paying their respects.” Mr. Swanson was joined by his son, Neil Jr., and daughter Lynn, in directing the services flawlessly. They were assisted by colleagues in Montgomery and Washington, D.C. What a difference these gifted funeral directors made in the lives of others. Among the notes I treasure is one from a young man crediting me with his decision to become a funeral director. He writes that it was my visit to his high-school class, years ago, to talk about what it is that funeral directors do that inspired him to pursue a career in funeral service. He is licensed now, working with one of our very finest funeral firms, and teaching at Wayne State University’s Mortuary School where he is, no doubt an inspiration to others. His name is Roger Husband. As a colleague with the Swanson Funeral Home, Roger Husband embalmed Rosa Parks. His professional skills allowed her body to be present to a nation’s grief and thanksgiving; our paying of respects in ways befitting all of our heroes, national and local ones. The pursuit of excellence gives each of us a chance to make a difference in our world-my father, Rosa parks, the Swanson family, Roger Husband, you and me. What difference might each of us make today as we serve the living by caring for the dead?
If you or a family member have any further questions or concerns with respect to cremation, cremation services, cremation costs or a direct cremation please feel free to contact Cremation Options toll free 24 hours daily at 1-877-989-9090.