A Tale of Two Funerals

Linden Wolfe shares a profound exploration of life and death through his contrasting experiences at two funerals on the same snowy evening. The stark differences between a wealthy doctor’s lamented farewell and a 22-year-old's joyful celebration reveal powerful lessons about legacy and the essence of living fully.

• Reflection on the dual nature of funerals
• Examination of Dr. Gates' sorrowful funeral atmosphere
• Insights into Jenny's uplifting celebration of life
• Discussion of faith’s role in shaping memorials
• Acknowledgment of the legacies we build through relationships
• Encouragement to redefine success beyond material wealth
• Questions posed about personal legacy and remembrance
• Final reminders about the importance of living intentionally

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Chapters

• 0:00 Lessons From Two Funerals
• 5:37 Life Lessons From Funerals

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

Here for the memories thought-provoking audio memoir shorts filled with stories, humor, anecdotes and commentary on social, cultural, business and religious issues. Whatever Lyndon remembers and thinks will entertain, challenge and inform is a possible subject. The collection of memories about one's life allows for the development and refinement of a sense of self, including who one is, how one has changed and what one might be like in the future.

Speaker 2: 0:34

Greetings and salutations. This is Lyndon Wolfe and you've happened upon my audio memoir here for the Memories. It is not a podcast, it is an audio memoir. Sorry, get irritated.

Speaker 2: 0:48

So glad you joined. You're welcome to visit anytime and linger if you would. Funerals talked a lot about weddings and some about funerals. Today we're going to look at funerals a little bit more.

Speaker 2: 1:04

I've often said that I wanted on my tombstone that boredom was the bane of my existence. It is never a good time for a funeral. With this in mind, on one snowy December night in East Tennessee, I found myself attending two, and I didn't look forward to either. But I forced myself to go, and I'm so glad that I did, because the events of that night created an inescapable and profound memory that changed me, at least my paradigm. The night played out like a parable. It taught a valuable lesson about life and, more importantly, death.

Speaker 2: 1:41

Over the years, of course, I had attended my share of funerals Since this event. I've actually officiated many. Some were depressing, while others were celebratory. Some of the deceased were young and some were old. Some had professed religious faith, some had not. Most of those for whom services were held died of natural causes, but occasional accidents and inexplicable suicides happened as well. Every victim of death left families, friends and legacies behind. Those legacies often played out at their final services. What I expected as I entered.

Speaker 2: 2:19

The funeral for a wealthy, prominent heart surgeon was the usual fare a body, some grieving mourners, a simple sermon and a quick exit by those made uncomfortable by death's visit. But this night was unique. A sense of hopelessness and futility defined the evening. Dr Gates not his real name was barely 50, but had achieved great earthly success and wealth. His services were held at an older funeral home, appropriate. The room was dark and smelled musty. The mourners were primarily his older patients who seemed to know little about him personally. Only a handful of visitors gathered around the room and nearly all of the women wore expensive fur coats, including his ostentatiously dressed wife who was nearly 25 years his junior. The chapel was hauntingly quiet. The air was thick with morbidity. I felt that the atmosphere reeked with sadness and even despondency. Faith didn't have any part in Dr Gates' life. There was no joy and very little evidence of authentic hope beyond this life. Also, I deeply sense an overwhelming lack of real, authentic love.

Speaker 2: 3:33

I left that dusty and dank funeral home and drove toward Jenny's funeral. Jenny was 22 when she died. She had recently graduated college and become engaged to one of my friends. Having little in the way of material possessions, she had one desire, and that was to serve as a missionary. Jenny never achieved that dream, unfortunately. I felt as dreary as the inclement weather as I braved the icy roads and dodged inexperienced commuters to locate the church where her body lay. Surprisingly, it was easy to find bright welcoming lights shown on the pillars of the church's entrance. The sound of singing streamed out of the building and into the night. Even though I was running late, I stopped the car, paused and prayed. I remember that the prayer was more for me than for the deceased or their families.

Speaker 2: 4:24

After Dr Gates' funeral I needed strength to face the next funeral and the seeming tragedy of such a young life's end. But as I approached the entrance I realized that the singing I heard was anything but sad. I entered the church to find hundreds of folks crowding each pew standing and praising their God in unison. Victory in Jesus was the joyous hymn. The eulogist at the service spoke of Jenny's faith and ministerial dreams. He spoke of hope, love, glory in heaven. He confidently proclaimed that our friend was now in the presence of God and all is well. It is well. It is well, it is well with my soul.

Speaker 2: 5:12

At Jenny's funeral, joy was such an intense and prevailing theme that it almost made me jealous of her death. A biblical pronouncement rang in my ears and resonated in my soul. Paul said where oh death is your victory, where oh death is your sting. As I drove home that night, the snow stopped and the clouds receded. My mind, however, wasn't on the weather at all. My heart explored the lesson taught by two diametrically opposed exits from this earth. Two diametrically opposed exits from this earth. The scene at Dr Gates' funeral reminded me of a real sense of sorrowful hopelessness. Jenny's service, on the other hand, pointed to death, not as a sad, pointless end, but as a bridge to glorious eternal life. Suddenly, things became as crystal clear as the skies now were.

Speaker 2: 6:05

While Dr Gates' life may have seemed a success based upon his financial worth and community standing, Jenny Jenny was the real winner in this real-life drama. Though she had little of material value, she had hope and joy, even in death. The testimony of her death trumpeted her faith. When life's curtain draws closed, what else really matters? Would we choose to be a Dr Gates or a Jenny? I would choose Jenny and a life of giving and sacrifice as opposed to accumulation and consumption, a life that was filled with faith and hope, a life worth celebrating, even in death. What about you? Have you attended funerals that taught you lessons about life and your exit, maybe, from this planet? Sad ones where you didn't sense any real hope or joy, or ones that were a celebration of life, even in death? Think on those and ask yourself the question how do I want my last services to sound and feel? This is Lyndon Wolfe, and you've joined here for the Memories. I'm so glad you did. In the meantime, may your memories teach you life lessons that change the way you live today.

Speaker 1: 7:40

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