Two young men have died in road accidents near us in the last few weeks. The Curate officiated at one of the funerals. I was reminded of one lad who died today, when I realised that some silver graffiti on the road on the way to the junior school was a memorial to him. He was a popular lad and his friends were moved to write a song about him which was played at the funeral.
Last week, on the way to town, we passed this memorial to the other boy, who was just sixteen when he was in an accident, driving his new moped.
There were twice as many flowers here when I passed this spot yesterday
These expressions of grief are new, creative and increasingly popular amongst the young. But the comfort they bring can’t last. One of the great privileges in parish ministry is meeting people who are grieving and pointing them to the eternal comfort that God offers to human beings through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.
The Father is a merciful God, who always gives us comfort.
2 Corinthians 1v3 (ESV)
The Vicar's Wife 
Well said! I always worry that they choose to remember these folk in the spot where they died, rather than somewhere more peaceful, as if their souls remain there which of course they don’t. Then when all the flowers die it looks even sadder.
I am at the beginning of my journey – still waiting for my BAP, but I find your site so refreshing. I don’t think my husband is too keen on being the vicar’s wife (!), or that he will carry out the jobs you do with as much aplomb (again!), but you are helping me to get an idea of what his role will be in all of this.
I wish you lots of happiness in your new role and in the area you have now moved to, and hope that your gentle ministry will continue to bring God into people’s lives.
Hello Rona. Welcome to the Vicarage and thank you for your encouragement.
Interestingly, the memorial to Cobra is still in existence, nine months later. Dead flowers have been removed and replaced, a couple of chairs have been installed in the old doorway and you can often see that candles have been lit. I’ve seen people there still placing momentos or pausing for thought. It seems to me that the church has been failing in its role to help people to mourn and they are now creating their own rituals.