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June 2004
A
President's Funeral Inspires Us
President
Ronald Reagan’s stately funeral reminds us of the importance
of memorialization and personalization. While few of us will ever
achieve the stature of President Reagan, it is important to consider
that all loved ones who die should be given a devoted and caring
farewell.
In
this age of speed and convenience, we can sometimes disregard
the importance of stopping our daily routine to remember and grieve;
to comfort family members and to show respect for the life that
was. President Reagan’s funeral was impressive in many ways
but especially for the message it sent -- that funerals should
be an occasion to celebrate the life of a departed soul even though
he or she was not a famous actor, governor or president.
It
is interesting to note that President Reagan’s casket rested
on the same catafalque in the Capitol rotunda that bore the body
of President Lincoln in 1865. President Lincoln’s funeral
was also magnificent in scope; his funeral train stopped in 20
cities to give Americans the opportunity to line up and pay respects
to the fallen leader. He was honored with 12 separate funerals
over a 20 day period. Thousands of Americans paid their respects
to this revered president.
President
Reagan’s funeral took place over a week’s time. Hundreds
of thousands of American citizens visited his casket in California
and Washington, DC. Thanks to the broad reach of television, hundreds
of thousands more all over the world were able to watch and join
in the memorialization.
President
Reagan’s state funeral was a very formal ritual incorporating
many traditions such as the riderless horse symbolizing a fallen
warrior which legend says first appeared at the funeral of Genghis
Khan. But even with all the formality, there was a poignant personal
touch. Instead of the usual black cavalry boots, President Reagan’s
own brown riding boots were carried backward in the saddle stirrups.
We should be inspired
by this remarkable event that reinforced the importance of memorialization,
and making a funeral a representation of the loved one’s
life. Good thoughts to keep for when we are preplanning our own
funeral, or arranging the funeral of a loved one.
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