Service Outline: The Life of Nong Chau
Schmit-Kallas Blog Posts
Officiating my father-in-law's memorial service
In Memory of Nong Chau: I am sharing my script from the memorial service and cremation. The family requested a nondenominational service and officiant. My mother was initially chosen for the role, but she came down with influenza a week prior. I offered to step in, and it was an honor to preside over the service. As the officiant I took time off of work to prepare, it was emotional, however it also helped get through the grief. I am a Christian, so I apologize if my interpretation of Buddhist traditions was inaccurate, I wanted to do my best to respect the 49 days of mourning and at the same time deliver the English language translation to the guests not familiar with the death rites of Buddhism. The ceremonial elements I pulled together from Buddhism were combined in a modern traditional venue to open coffin services and I tied the offering of joss paper and flowers into the service by having guests participate in placing the offerings instead of burning them due to the logistics of the ceremony. Instead, Nongs body was cremated along with the offerings into the spirit world. We now keep an altar of Nong, in remembrance of his spirit. As you will see in my script Nong left an impression on me. May his spirit find peace.
Found my Grandfather online
Here is Endel Kallas Sr. Born November 7 1915 in Tallinn Estonia. A passport photo dated 1934. Before studying in Gernoble, France.
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