My 30 year-old great-nephew just called to ask for some advice, and I couldn't come-up with anything to help him. After getting laid-off from five EE jobs in four years, he decided to become a preacher. A month ago, he moved to Nebraska to preach at a small church. He preached his first (first at his own church) sermon three Sundays ago and is living with a family that attends the church. Their three month-old daughter passed away Monday, and the mother asked him to do the funeral. It's his first funeral. Also, the mother has requested that the casket remain open until it is lowered into the ground. He wanted to know how I would keep from losing it (crying and choking-up) while standing beside the (open) casket. He also asked what I thought he should say. He said they went over several good funeral scripts in seminary and practised them, but obviously that won't be good enough for this situation. What can you say to comfort the family? None of my children survived, so I've been there before, but it wasn't like I learned anything from it. There isn't anything I know to say to make it better. If I was honest I'd say for the rest of your life you'll be more bitter and your world will be darker. No parent should ever outlive a child. Every time you think about your daughter, the world will be a little less desirable place to stay in. No, honesty isn't the right course. Often when reading some of the juvenile posts here, I feel "old and wise." Now, I feel like a wide-eyed innocent child.
Any advice? Any words of wisdom? Anything? He asked me to call him back at 8 AM (forgot to ask if that was my timezone or his), so I have to come-up with something. Poor kid is getting a trial by fire. I've helped him out many times before, but this time, I'm useless so far. It's a 20 hour drive away so I can't be there either.z