Читать книгу Poems for the Funeral Celebrant - Richard A. Phipps - Страница 5

As a young teenager, it was no surprise that I began working in the family business. Following the footsteps of my great grandfather, my grandfather and my father, funeral service was a calling and the deep desire to help people was in my DNA. Now in my 36th year, I am humbled by the fact that thousands of Knoxville families have entrusted us to help them celebrate the life of their loved ones and bring comfort to them during some of the most difficult days of their lives. I have seen significant changes in our industry through the years, but the one constant is the significance of the grief process and how taking time to celebrate one’s life with family and friends is a critical and meaningful part of that process.

In all my years in this profession, I have met few individuals that have as much love and passion to help families celebrate the life of their loved one as Richard Phipps. Rick is my brother in Christ and I consider it an honor and privilege to have Rick on our staff, and to support his ministry to families as a Celebrant.

Supporting Rick on a countless number of Celebrant Services as the Funeral Director, I am always amazed by his ability to bring a special kind of comfort to our families and, through thought provoking questions, allow family members the opportunity to reminisce and share memories about their loved one. With these memories he then crafts a unique and meaningful service that always brings laughter, thought, and tears. Rick’s ability to write poems that bring out the special qualities of the loved one being celebrated is a God-given gift that, as a certified Celebrant myself, I would love to possess. I appreciate Rick’s willingness to both share his poems and grant permission to use and edit them. As you read Rick’s poems and suggestions, I know you will be blessed. My hope is that like Rick, you will have the opportunity to bring comfort to others. I also encourage you to take up Rick’s offer to reach out to him for guidance and assistance.

Fred O. Berry, III

President

Berry Funeral Home

Knoxville, Tennessee