Analyzing "Gaither Homecoming" Funerals
Averyfineline has written a post after listening to the audio from George Younce's funeral service. (You can hear the service here (part one) and here (part two).
After reading his thoughts and observations, I emailed him mine:
You raise good questions about George's funeral. I was not there... but I did attend Vestal's. It was truly unique (and long!)... but I think it probably has to be the best funeral I've been to. The quality was superb and you need quality to maintain focus. No one wants to be in the middle of grieving and then have to feel sorry for some inept sound guy or some pitchy part time singer.
Maybe it's just me but I get nervous for people who aren't doing a good job singing or performing... to the point that I'm no longer focusing on the memorial anymore (or worship or prayer or even the song's message itself).
The Goodman funeral may have had some questionable moments to some...but when you get a bunch of performers and entertainers together to pay tribute to a fellow performer/entertainer... you're going to have some performance and entertaining qualities shine through.
A radio hero of mine passed away tragically last year. At his funeral was a radio montage of clips played at one point in the service.
At my great grandmother's service there were no audio clips. She wasn't in radio nor was she a recording artist.
I think the services need to fit the person (and in America at least... like it or not... your life-long profession seems to define a great deal of who you are).
If Vestal's funeral were available for purchase, I'd have it. What a wonderful collection of stories, honors, songs and reflections on a great life it would be! Morbid? Maybe... but only if you think of it as death. Looking at life and celebrating its joys are where the Homecoming Friends steer the ship instead.
Daniel Britt
danielbritt.com
Atlanta, GA
As I mentioned, I attended Vestal Goodman's funeral at Christ Church in Nashville. You can read some accounts of Vestal's funeral here.
Labels: news and updates
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Links to this post:
Create a Link
<< Home