Dad was laid to rest on Thursday and everything went really lovely. When dad was taken from the car there was a Kookaburra singing in the gum tree and it never stopped until dad reached the alter.
The priest gave his consent for a professional to video the service. This was really important to me as my only sister lives in the UK and owing to her poor health she can't get travel insurance nor Dr's approval to fly. I felt it would be closure for her to view the services and the lady ended up also coming and filming the burial.
At the cemetery we were greeted by men from the Return Serviceman League (RSL) they had organised a Piper, dad was covered with the Australian flag. The men from my family carried dad to his final resting place lead by the Piper piping 'Amazing Grace'. The priest gave blessings and prayers then the RSL carried on with a small services and played 'The Last Post'. All return servicemen placed a poppy on dad's coffin.
The piper lead those present out of the cemetery it was truly a fitting farewell. I was really taken back by the number of people who attended.
Tomorrow dad would have turned 84 and we are going to place flowers and have a picnic (weather not looking good). The cemetery is by the ocean only separated by the sand and wind break. From the cemetery you can hear the waves breaking on the shore, it's very peaceful.
I didn't have the heart to tell mum that dad died but I know she senses something she keeps asking to see him, she would ask only how he was before, never to see him. I told her that we can't see him anymore, that he can't come home again, he is, far far away and being looked after very well. I said he is happy and she said, that's good we wont go in case he gets upset and he wants to come home.
Thank you all for your lovely messages. Love Taffy.