At 1pm today, I logged on to my computer to watch the funeral of an old friend. Thanks to modern technology made popular during the pandemic lockdowns, it was streamed live from the chapel. That was a blessing, as I could not have contemplated the five hour car journey each way to where he lived in Dorset.
Mick Kemp was a talented architect, and much-admired craftsman maker of fine bespoke artistic furniture. I met him 52 years ago when I was 18 years old, and although I was not one of his oldest or closest friends, we were certainly good friends whenever we were able to meet up at the regular gatherings when I still lived in London.
I remember his waxed moustache, his habit of still wearing waistcoats, and most of all his open, wide smile. I have never seen him angry or upset, not once.
Then life got in the way, as it tends to. I moved away to Norfolk, and then he moved to Dorset, into a house he designed from scratch, and then furnished in his inimitable style. Watching the funeral online today, I saw a few familiar faces, and reflected on others already departed. It was not a religious service, more a celebration of his life. Accompanied by music and many photographs shown on big screens, the sadness was balanced by happy memories for all concerned.
Mick is at rest now. The rest of us are poorer for his loss, and left with a memory of a life well-lived by a good man.
Dear Pete,
I’m so sorry you lost a good friend. But it’s a small consolation that you could still be there from afar.
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Thanks, Irene. If it is done well, the live streaming of the funeral feels very much like being in the room.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Hi Pete, I am all for technology and really appreciate how it allows people to connect and attend functions like this. It is very enabling. I am so sorry about your friend. It is tough to lose a good friend.
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The streaming technology for the funeral was really effective, Robbie.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Really nice, Pete. As much as I do not like technology, this is an example of how great it can be.
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It certainly is, Jennie.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Thank you, Pete. I keep reminding myself I can embrace the new technology at school.
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So sorry for your loss Pete, but I’m so pleased you were able to attend the funeral virtually! That’s sort of amazing. A very kind tribute to your friend. Hugs, C
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It does feel like you are there, Cheryl. A very good use of streaming technology.
Best wishes, Pete. x
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A nice tribute,Pete. Good that you were still able to watch it remotely.
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It was very good to do that, Stevie. The online streaming was very much like being in the room.
Best wishes, Pete.
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A lovely tribute. May he rest n peace.
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Thanks very much, Peggy.
Best wishes, Pete.
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a lovely tribute to your friend, mick. glad you had a chance to see his memorial. I’m so sorry for your loss, Pete
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Thanks, Beth. Those online streamings are very effective. I was glad to be able to watch the funeral.
Best wishes, Pete.
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My condolences. Warmest regards, Theo
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Thanks, Theo.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I am unable to click on like on any posts. Soulds like WP is up to its old tricks. Warmest regards, Theo
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Sorry about your friend, Pete. It is indeed a sad downside of growing old.
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Thanks Don. It certainly confirms that sense of mortality we begin to feel after retirement.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Condolences Pete, glad you got to be there virtually at least.
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Thanks, FR. That live-streaming works really well for those of us unable to attend.
Best wishes, Pete.
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I imagine that when you were 18 neither of you had any idea of how life would unfold. I am glad you got to see each other as you did mature and move into very different lines of work, always treasuring a shared youth. Glad you could participate in the send off, albeit virtually.
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Thanks, Elizabeth. I was very impressed with the clarity of the remote-streamed funeral, and the sense of involvement.
Best wishes, Pete.
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We have done that several times now and find it a solid subsitute.
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I’m sorry to hear of the loss of your friend. Please accept my condolences.
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Thanks, Liz. The new innovation of being able to watch the funeral live is really impressive. I actually felt a part of the proceedings.
Best wishes, Pete.
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You’re welcome, Pete. A few months ago, I was able to watch a live-streamed celebration of life in Scotland. It was good to be able to pay my respects that way.
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Very sorry to hear of the loss of your friend, but pleased you were able to attend hid funeral remotely
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Thanks, Sue. The main point of this post was to remark about how well those ‘streamed funerals’ work. It really was like being there.
Best wishes, Pete.
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That’s good to know
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My condolences, Pete.
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Thanks, GP. These things happen more frequently as we get older, but it never gets easier. The streamed funeral online is a really good innovation.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Yes, it is. I wish I had known about them a while back.
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Sorry.to hear the news Pete. Great you could be there remotely.
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That was the main reason for the post, Eddy. Technology took me somewhere I could not have been otherwise.
Cheers, Pete.
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So sorry for your loss Pete.
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Thanks, Christina. We hadn’t seen that much of each other since I moved here, but there are some good memories from my younger days.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Sorry for the loss of a friend…never gets any easier. chuq
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That’s very true. Thanks, chuq.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Sorry for his family’s loss and yours. He sounds like a lovely man, and I’m sure he’ll be sorely missed, although, from your description, he enjoyed life his own way. All the best.
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He had a full life, doing what he loved. But it still feels as if he has gone far too soon.
Thank you, Olga.
Best wishes, Pete.
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peace be with you
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Thank you, Annette.
Best wishes, Pete. x
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Sorry for the loss of your good friend, Pete. It’s been a strange couple of years and I too attended funerals or memorial services remotely, on zoom.
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Thanks, Susanne. I found the streamed service was very effective, much like being there.
(I found this comment in the Trash folder, no idea why)
Best wishes, Pete.
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Billy O’Neill, Mick Kemp…
Not exactly joyful reminders of our mortality…
It seems that you’ve befriended some extraordinary people throughout the years, and starting from an early age. Although it’s sad to lose them, you have been very fortunate to have known them. And, of course, they were fortunate to have known you.
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Thanks very much, David. I was fortunate to be friends with some outstanding people.
Best wishes, Pete.
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So sorry to hear of the loss of your good friend. It is never easy.
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Thanks very much Darlene. He had a great life, and a loving family.
Best wishes, Pete.
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It is a fact of aging, of course. There is a poignancy to it that cannot be explained to someone still young. I saw my parents gradually lose almost everyone they had known. It’s nice you were able to attend, albeit remotely. I think it helps to be able to say goodbye rather than crossing another name out of an address book.
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Yes indeed, Carolyn. Living longer brings its own extra sadness.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Very sad news Pete, but it was good to have a way to take part at a distance…
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Yes indeed, John. Another benefit of technology that I never expected to happen.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Funerals are always sad happenings, but its good to have the new technique, making it easier to participate. I am feeling sorry for this loss, Pete! Have a nice evening! xx Michael
P.S.: Now i think i have the luck getting notices of your new postings to my mailbox.
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Thanks, Michael. Glad to hear you are getting notifications now.
Best wishes, Pete.
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Reblogged this on NEW BLOG HERE >> https:/BOOKS.ESLARN-NET.DE.
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It is a sad day when a good friend dies. It happens so much now that we are getting older. Sorry for your loss.
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Thanks, Molly. Yes, getting old is one thing, losing friends and family is definitely the downside.
Best wishes, Pete.
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