How did I get through that day...Monday 21 January. The day I had to say a final goodbye to an old friend and work at the same time. This was the second time I have covered a friends funeral but it was pretty painful for me because this particular friendship goes back a lot of years.
I had already been to see her two children when I first heard the news of her death, So why did I get so emotional when I saw her children on the day of her funeral?
It was because I could see me and my brother standing at the family home waiting for our mum to arrive back in 1996. I could understand their feelings, even their thoughts.
The emotion was building in me more and more and this was just the start of the day. I knew this was going to be tough but I just had to focus on getting the best possible images I could. This work ethic is nothing new to me but for my friends funeral it felt new. I had already visited her a few days before and had an opportunity to spend some final time with her.
As soon as I had taken the first few pictures at the family home it was then time to go to the church. An old friend drove me to the church and we got there fifteen minutes before the cortege. To work at a funeral and be part of the funeral is a very different perspective and quite challenging.
I had to get into the road and stop traffic to continue with getting the images I wanted.
Once inside the church my tripod was already set up, waiting for me to mount my camera and take in the whole atmosphere. My tears got the better of me when a woman came to the front and sung 'Amazing Grace'', I took as many opportunities to take more pictures before the tears obstructed my view. Her grandson got up and did a reading (a brave little boy), as did her daughter.
After the church we went to East London Cemetary Hermit Road, for the cremation and to release doves along with balloons. I took a few more pictures inside and out, then made my way to the refreshments venue.
I stayed here for the last hour with every intention of getting Carribean food (hard food). I couldn't eat, so I just kept taking pictures. I said a few words to remind people let me know if they wanted pictures taken with friends and family members. Every half an hour there were little toasts for my friend, and every time they said her name I cried. Her daughter was passing wristbands around with a few words on. I had come to the point where I had taken enough funeographs, I could not stay any longer.
I am currently still working on her Funeography Book.
I guess I should close by saying 'Rest in peace' because if anyone deserves that it is her.
I will miss you very much and you'll always have a piece of my love with you.
I dedicate this blog to the wonderful, larger-than-life, Joyce Brown.
