April 14, 2013:

Last Rites

Last Sunday, I took part in the memorial service for my friend of 45 years, G. Lloyd Rediger. We first met when we were both in the Doctor of Religion program at Chicago Theological Seminary. We became fast friends then and over the years came to see each other as brother. Lloyd devoted his professional life to helping clergy who were the victims of forced resignations and unjust dismissals. He also had a deep concern that all congregations should be healthy Christian bodies. He will be remembered and missed by many all over the country as well as Canada.

As he moved into his 80’s, Lloyd saw the importance of making his last arrangements. He left his wife, Vera, instructions on what and who he wanted in his memorial service as well as where he wanted his cremated remains scattered: Ghost Ranch, a beautiful New Mexico place where American artist Georgia O’Keefe painted.

Most of us don’t like thinking about death, but it will be a reality for all of us, sooner or later. The last gift we can give our family is to be sure our affairs are in order. Do we have a will? Have we left word what we wish done with our bodies? Buried, cremated, or donated to a medical school? Where do we want our remains placed? What would we wish to have included in our memorial service?

When we are in our 20’s, 30’s, even 40’s, death seems like a distant possibility. But I have conducted memorial services for the very young as well as the very old. Death can come at any time no matter our age.

A final thought: how would we like to be remembered by our family and friends? A good life is built moment by moment, day by day, year by year. What would we say or do if we had certain knowledge that this would be the last of our lives? All of us need to think about that one. My brother Lloyd certainly did. I will deeply miss him.

Love,
Dave