Back To Dust

Wednesday night after work, mum told me that a church friend's mother-in-law had passed away. So we finished up dinner and immediately headed to OUG. Was quite surprised to find a funeral service going on at the house. I had thought that the deceased was Taoist. Turns out that she had converted 2 minutes before passing away at the hospice (before this, her daughter-in-law cared for her, clean and tube-fed her at home... even her own daughter did not). For 30 years, her Catholic daughter-in-law couldn't convince her, but on her deathbed, the Methodist volunteers saved her soul. That's some way to 'close a sale'. :P. Anyway, sat through half of the service and ate some peanuts. Such a standard for Chinese funerals. Later on, we gathered around the coffin and did our little own prayer session. One of the BEC members fished a little booklet out of her handbag, but wasn't keen on leading, so SK took the lead! We had thought that the seniors had more experience... mana tahu. :P. We just did our very own version with a mixture of the Holy Rosary, prayers from the funerary booklet and the Litany of the Saints. think it went quite well for an impromptu prayer session. Hehe. Kudos to SK. Sang a couple of Chinese hymns and did a last minute "Amazing Grace" with the lyrics read from the iPhone. Useful little gadget! At the end, we wished each other peace and went out for some fried bihun and red bean soup. The old lady was cremated the next day and laid to rest... May she rest in peace.

Comments

Little Dove said…
My condolences to your church friend.

I have to quote Cheryl's comment from your previous posting: SK is geng! (ps: one and one does not make two but is equal) ;p

Creative use of the iPhone!
Shake Trees said…
her daughter-in-law is filial. n ur a gud boy. :P funerals serves to also reminds us of own own coming.
Mr.D said…
if don't convert, what happen to the soul?
nicky05 said…
Yeah, some in law are care so much for their parents in law, than their bloodline.
KittyCat said…
Confused....did she die a Methodist or Catholic?
Elton said…
Wow, the power of technology. Next time maybe can use iPhone to play music in a prayer occasion.
Condolence to the madam.
Ash Godiva said…
baptized at the last minute...reminds me of Constantine 1...condolence to her and her family...
Cheryl said…
Yes. I cannot tahan hesitation n tai chi.
I felt I am double geng. Haha
Twilight Man said…
It's your hearts and mind that leads the deceased. Did i hear Hospice?
Gratitude said…
I book SK, just in case I .....

I'll send her an sms now lolz
+Ant+
William said…
@Beng:
Thanks. It is the philosophy of the BEC, support within the community.

@LittleD:
Yes, she agreed to it without a second thought. There is more to the iPhone than FB and Grindr. Hahaha.

@Koala:
Thanks. Her daughter-in-law is a strong woman. Yeah, we will all meet our Maker.

@MrD:
Depends on your belief.

@Nicky:
I guess it doesn't matter who cares for us, as long as it is sincere.

@KittyCat:
A Methodist.

@Elton:
Would have to hook up speakers!

@Ash:
I think it's quite common. When one is on the deathbed, any solace and comfort is welcome.

@Cheryl:
LOL.

@Twi:
Yeah, her condition deteriorated, so she put her up in a hospice just right before her death. Not sure where though.

@Grat:
LOL. You want Catholic rites ah?

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