Goodbye, Grandma

“10 out of 10 people die.”

My great grandmother passed away earlier this week. I love her very much, and I am sad to see her go. Yesterday I attended her viewing with my family.

Death is an interesting thing. Whenever I attend a funeral, I have a lot to think about. More often than not, I end up pondering my own life. What would happen if I were to die today? Would anyone take care of my unfinished business? How would it affect my family? Am I living my life in such a way that I would be ready to leave this life? What is it like to die? Would I have left the world a better place than I found it?

In some ways, I am grateful for death. It serves as a wakeup call. It humbles me and reminds me that my life is fragile and could end at any moment.

I will miss my grandma, but she was old, outlived her husband and several children, and I imagine she is happy to have continued to the next stage of life.

I’ve heard that Mormon funerals are strange to those who are not used to them. I’ve heard people are surprised to find them uplifting, enlightening, and even edifying. Here is why:

• We lived with God before our lives began on Earth. We entered this mortal life in order to receive a physical body, gain experience, learn faith, and learn to choose between good and evil.
• Death is a step forward in God’s plan for the salvation and happiness of his children.

These doctrines bring peace and hope into my heart.

Questions for discussion and comments:

• How has the passing of a loved one affected your life?
• What do you wonder about most when you think of what awaits us after death?