Notes from Norman

ASHES TO ASHES

Working at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home has subjected me to a number of experiences that are unique for me, some humorous, some sad, some thought provoking. I want to tell you about a recent thought provoking experience. A co-worker and I were asked to go by a crematory to pick up some ashes – called cremains in the industry. .

Two weeks ago I conducted a memorial service for a family who did not have a minister. This week I picked up his “cremains” which were confined to a box about ten inches long and six inches wide. At the same time we were given the ashes of an infant. They had not been placed in an urn when we arrived. I watched the worker sweep the ashes into two small urns. The total volume probably was a little less than two cups. I carried a person’s remains in one hand. To me it was a profound reminder of the 103rd Psalm when the psalmist writes in verse 14, “for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.” I don’t believe God will have any problem resurrecting those ashes. If he can resurrect a body from dirt, ashes shouldn’t be a problem. I began thinking about how much attention we give to maintaining the health of our bodies, pampering our bodies – making sure they don’t get too hot or too cold, and trying to make our bodies look good. In the end they will return to either ashes or dust. It was a sobering reminder of my own mortality.

posted by Norman @ 7:10 PM