4th Feb a day to remember

Today was annual leave but it was full of activity, the main one being attending old next door neighbour's funeral. Mr M was great man and well loved judging by the numbers that attended the Greek Orthodox Service and later Burial and reception at Wigston Stage. It shows how a stromg family and community come together in times of grief. I was touched by the show of strength that the M family received during the whole day. We arrived about 11.20am and the greeting from the widow, their children and grandchildren was gracious and sincere. There was a kitchen full of Serbian relatives and local people and the priest from Derby. Plum Brandy was given out, the son remarked 'they run their tractors on this stuff' and cold hams and cheeses adorn the table. We went outside as the Hearse drew up. The priest and family stood round the coffin and prayers were said, it was very touching the son in law held a personal wooden cross and the atmosphere was one that could easily have been in a small tight village community.

The bus with at least 50 people took us to Aylestone Road to the Greek church which was once CofE but now adorned with elaborate Iconic images and reliefs. The service was one of many prayers and replies from the packed congregation. The last part was passing and kissing a small silver cross on the coffin and greeting again the whole family with affection and respect. I believe 150 people were in attendance. The next stage was a burial in Gilroes and this was very sombre with the Son giving a final farewell speech that was met with lit candles and throwing a piece of dirt into the place where the coffin lay. Then onto the table of plum brandy, bread and special pulses dish that everyone tasted a spoonful from.

The reception was more in keeping with celebration of M's life and tope table of the family with 14 other tables and a wonderful array of Serbian food was laid out before us. We first had to wash our hands and again greet the family before the priest said grace and the meal started. Spoke with different parts of the extended family seems having many relatives and connected to the old homeland very important to Serbians.