05 Mar
Home for Grandma Spence’s Funeral, Pt I
The biggest news about this trip? T1 officially started walking! He’s still pretty unsteady on his feet, but he walks all over the apartment now. I’ve even seen him pushing himself up onto his feet from a sitting position on the ground. I just love watching him toddle around.
While I was home I ran out in the cold to try to get a new portrait for Twitter/Facebook (to celebrate dropping another 10 lbs, which is an awesome reward if you’re looking for ways to reward yourself for your weight loss) but I didn’t like anyo f myself enough to use them.
My sister though, of course look adorable, even in her high school sweatshirt and rubber boots.
The funeral was held on Saturday. I admit that I didn’t think it was a big deal to be there before I went, but after it was over I realized that I would have missed out on a lot if I stayed home. So many beautiful stories about my grandmother and her life were shared.
A few people asked what an LDS funeral is like. I haven’t been to many, but I thought I’d share what this one was like (as I think it is a nice representation of the norm).
We met in a room off to the side of the chapel as a family for an opening prayer. Then the casket was moved into the chapel and we all filed after it. We sang a song, a prayer was offered, then the meeting outline was introduced by the bishop. First the great-grandkids all sang a song. My grandma spoke, then my aunt, and then my cousins and I sang Tenderly. My uncle spoke, we sang a closing song, and another prayer was offered.
After the funeral was over the pallbearers moved forward to help move the casket into the hearse. We mingled with guests for a bit (everyone was invited to the graveside but most didn’t come) and then we lined up behind the hearse for the trip from the church to the cemetery.
At the cemetery the pallbearers removed the casket and set it over the grave.
My grandpa offered a prayer of dedication over the grave, and then we said our goodbyes.
There were plenty of tears (mostly during the service at the church) but lots of laughter and smiles too!
My grandma was buried only a few feet away from my little brother’s grave.
The family. T1 and I missed the memo about wearing sunglasses.
This picture makes me laugh. All of us revolve around T1 now that he’s here 
My grandma’s boots, which were on display at the luncheon after the funeral.
Notice the hearts on the end? Adorable!
We ended the day with a big dinner of leftovers (and some oreo truffle balls that I indulged in and very much enjoyed) where we all enjoyed feeding things to T1 and watching him make silly faces in response.
I love watching this cousin of mine with my son. I used to hold and play with her all the time when I was her age! It’s kind of strange to see the passage of time illustrated in this way.
We’re both glad we went home.
Mom and dad, thank so much for flying us out. It meant a lot to me.
I'm a farm-raised almost-crunchy stroller-pushing picture-taking lifestyle-blog-writing gastronomy-obsessed divine-seeking thrift-store-combing cheese-inhaling pavement-pounding laughter-sprinkling lover of individuality and taking chances.
It looks like it was a beautiful service- and her coffin was gorgeous with the flower inserts all the way around, I’ve never seen anything like that.
I have to say, the first picture of T1 with your brother’s grave, where he’s in a crawling position, just struck me as so powerful and I immediately teared up. Not a sad teared up, just for some reason something about it got to me. I’m sure your family is grateful that you were able to get such beautiful pictures of that day!
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1I love the boots, so special.
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2That sounds like a very nice funeral. One stupid question, do Mormons have any particular feelings on burial versus cremation?
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Jenna Reply:
March 8th, 2011 at 12:39 am
I remember my parents telling me the Church doesn’t support cremation, but that isn’t true.
I actually plan on donating my body when i die and then having it cremated afterward!
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This looks like a wonderful celebration, a celebration of the dead and the living, of memories past and recent.
I do too love the pictures of your son on your brother’s grave.
Your mom and grandmother look fabulous by the way, you can tell that their genes are passed on very well.
None of us were smiling like that at my grandfather’s funeral, it was a lot harer on us, maybe because we didn’t have as many years with him on earth…
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4I just went to my husband’s grandmother’s funeral on Monday; she was LDS and her funeral was very similar. Family viewing Sunday evening, another viewing for friends on Monday morning, then family prayer in the Relief Society room, then the casket was closed and moved into the sanctuary (meeting room? I dunno what it’s called). Then the bishop went over the order of the service. We all sang a hymn, then there was a Life Sketch given by his grandma’s brother. There was a hymn sung by great grandchildren (I am a Child of God) and then a talk by Great Uncle Kenny. THEN most of the grandchildren (31 of us) sang “How Great Thou Art.” I think that was pretty cool, members and non-members both sang it, which was cool. Then we sang “God Be with you til we meet again” and my father in law prayed. Then the pallbearers took the casket outside to the hearse. The Relief Society made a luncheon (complete with my first experience with Funeral Potatoes…. delish!!) and then we went to the gravesite for dedication and to say goodbye.
This was my first LDS funeral, and it was similar to some non-LDS funerals I’ve been to; there were a few differences such as burial clothing, but I don’t think I was supposed to pick up on that…
It was really emotional, but really excellent.
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Jenna Reply:
March 8th, 2011 at 12:43 am
How cool that you all sang together! I love that.
Aren’t funeral potatoes like the best thing in the whole world?
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jessicamaylords Reply:
March 8th, 2011 at 1:17 am
They are ridiculously delicious. There were three variations, and all were ahhhmazing.
There were also pumpkin chocolate chip cookies, which are one of my all time faves.
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it sounds like you had a wonderful memorial service for your great grandmother.
btw you look great!!
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6What a beautiful service! And that photo of T1 with your mom is AMAZING.
Gorgeous photos of you as well.
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7These photos are so gorgeous. Funerals are such a wonderful way to honor the person you loved and be with family. T1 looks so proud of himself as he stands up. I love the look on his face!
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8I’m so thankful to have the pictures from my grandmother’s funeral and I think you will be too. These are absolutely beautiful.
And for a totally off-topic question, and I only ask you because I don’t know how to get in touch with her, but do you think your sister would be willing to do a tutorial on how she does her hair? It always looks so good.
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91. LOVE the precious saluting pic of T1. LOVE LOVE LOVE it… My hubs is in the military so…makes my heart smile!
2. You’re looking fantastic!! Seeing your pic made me motivated to pick up C25K again. Starting tonight. Thank you!
3. And thanks for recommending the Word of Wisdom living site. I’m non-LDS, but agree whole-heartedly with the tips/guidelines given on his blog. Love the site!
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10my condolences on your loss. the service looks like it was very special.
in other news, i love the 2 close ups of you, the first one especially. lovely photos!
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11Thank you for all your kind words and thoughts. It is a beautiful expression of love to celebrate a life. I once heard someone say: “If your care for someone you will miss them in their absence.” I will miss my Grandmother, I will miss her honest answers, her sense of humor and her presence in my life. I am one of the lucky ones, to have my grandmother in my life as I am a grandmother also. I watched her body struggle at the end to let go of this life and I know she is in a better place. Until then we see each other again, it is all about T1 (until the next one)! Thank you Jenna for coming and bringing the light of our lives-Shaylene! HAHA
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