We had the memorial service for my father-in-law today, and as expected, he was there.
Since the body was set for cremation, and then would be shipped off to Ohio for burial in the plot that he had purchased years ago, there was no viewing, something I am very grateful for.
It was a very nice service with a gentleman from the funeral home talking about him form information he learned from my wife, sister-in-law, and mother-in-law. Then there was the military part of the service as my father-in-law was retired military.
The two people that were the honor guard unfolded the flag, and then refolded it and gave it to my mother-in-law. Then where was the bugler. (Unfortunately for me, this just brought back all the memories of watching this same thing happen in Maryland less than two months ago.) I think they were using a deeper voiced bugle, as what might be found in drum and bugle corps rather than the higher toned normal bugle. It gave it more of a French horn sound than trumpet. But then came the other part, the 21-gun salute. The seven riflemen fired three rounds in short succession, and scared most of the people there as it was very loud even though it was outside.
The whole time, my father-in-law was standing at the back of the room watching the whole thing.
He will probably be at the grave site when the ashes are interned. I also expect to see him around the house from time to time.