A LifeTime Event.

When we think of funerals, we think of an event that lasts for one day.

We think of the funeral homes, the crying, the caskets, the photos, and the memories shared.

We think of their casket being buried or their urn being taken home by a loved one.

In those moments, we don’t think of the days ahead — we simply focus on that one event that has changed our lives forever.

But the reality is, a funeral isn’t just for one day.

A funeral is for a lifetime.

In the days after, you will relive it over and over again, and all you’ll want to do is run away from that memory — but you can’t.

The memories of your loved one are now haunted by their funeral.

When you remember their laughter, you will think of the tears.

When you remember their voice, you will think of the stories told.

When you remember their presence, you will feel their empty spot.

When you open the memory of a loved one, you will also be opening the doors to the funeral home once more.

When you remember they are no longer here, you will be right back there in the cemetery.

Time will continue moving, even when you feel like you’re standing still.

The sun will rise and fall.

The moon will rise and fall.

Days turn into weeks.

Weeks into months.

Months into years.

The seasons will continue to change.

But the memory of your loved one will always be there, allowing you to go back in time to moments that will never be again.

And in the journey of going back in time, we are forced to relive the days we last saw them, heard them, hugged them.

We are forced to relive the warmth of the flames that cradled their box.

We are forced to relive the sight of them being lowered.

So no, funerals aren’t a one-day event that we leave and move on from.

Funerals are a lifetime event that we attend every time we think of them.

And as final as funerals are, they are a reminder that the love we have for them went with them.

So when we relive those days and moments that changed the very core of who we are, just remember — your loved one didn’t go alone.

Your love wrapped itself around them and carried them over to whatever’s next.

Funerals may be a lifetime event, but love is a forever thing.