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I once went to a funeral for a friend's father. When I arrived at the mausoleum, there was a
closed casket and a man with a collar standing next to it. The service, which lasted for 20-25 minutes, was full of pre-written
text and prayers. No doubt this service had been offered many times before, as it was in the book of rites, held by the officiant.
Sadly, at the end of the service I had noticed one missing componant; it was the deceased's name. Had I meant to
attend a service for Mrs. Jones, I would have never known that she wasn't in the casket; that I was at the wrong service.
Now, more than ever, I feel it is important to leave a tribute knowing more than when you arrived.
Even folks you are pretty well acquainted with still have parts you may have never known. A Celebration of Life is what this
is all about. Finding the storyline of an individual and weaving the personal experiences with others into it; presenting
it as a complete tapestry of the person's life and how they touched others and made a difference.
It is a truly amazing experience to come to understand why everyone else in the room needed to be there.
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