Dad’s going away party………..

[woodland]

My dad Barry passed away a month ago and on Sunday we’re having his funeral which he always referred to them as a “going away party” so that’s what his will be. Just curious if there was anything unique that you have seen at a farmer’s funeral? Planning on getting the old 414 International that he used as a kid running as he restored it sometime ago and even put power steering on it. Probably will bring a 4wd to park beside it for comparison. Built a simple urn out of pine the other day with my FIL that we have to brand with my folks and siblings brands yet.

Haven’t had an abundance of time to spend on this yet as there was a lot of cow stuff that got pushed aside this fall that we’re still whittling away at. Thanks in advance for any ideas………
Usually the best things are done here under pressure at the last minute it seems.

[farmaholic]

My Dad died in the beginning of June 2021. He was cremated. I got a small urn to put a wee bit of his ashes in it. That fall that urn was taken in the tandem grain truck for harvest, in the combine, in the sprayer, in the old Versatile heavy harrowing, everything.... on the last nice day in October before we buried that small urn under the wheat sculpture at the beginning of our driveway, I took him on his last tour across the whole farm, every piece of land we own. I drove him through a dried out marsh that is very seldom dry. Picked a rock, he was adamant about keeping the rocks picked. We gathered bits of unharvested(missed) crop to lay around the hole we would later lower the small urn into. But before we put him in we poured various grains into the hole and threw a potato in as well, he loved growing potatoes. I took some rich black soil from a low spot in the last quarter he and mom broke to fill the hole. There was no funeral, but I'm thinking his going away party suited him to a tee. He was a simple humble man who wasn't much for being in the limelight or center of attention.

Another cool thing we did was during the family viewing just before the cremation, we drew pictures and wrote messages on his cremation casket. That was more fun than the old somber funerals of the past.

They're never really gone, they're no longer physically with us but they live on in our hearts and in our memories forever. And this guy was, and always will be, woven into the fabric of the land he farmed as long as his health permitted him to. Even when he could no longer do field duties he was usually watching from the seat of his half ton. Imagine how poorly he must have physically felt for him not to come out himself, sometimes mom would bring him out to watch some harvest. It seems you become part of it.

Be imaginative...
Take care...

[BreadWinner]

Thanks for sharing, your dad raised a great family.

[Marusko]

Have seen neighbours parked with their tractors at entrances and intersections as the funeral procession passed through the countryside. It was early on in covid, i think at a time when restrictions were on, so it was a nice way to involve the neighbours in honouring him and paying their respects. Especially as he was very involved in the community.

that sculpture is really cool, farmaholic.

[woodland]

Thanks for sharing that Farma. This life we lead is unlike most others. Definitely planning on spreading some ashes around the home quarter

[SASKFARMER]

When my dad died we made a wheat wreath and put it with him in his coffin to hold.

They loved the land and created great sons and daughters.

At almost 95 for my dad, it was a celebration.

Take care.

[woodland]

Got it going with a new battery, whiff of ether, and a couple gallons of fuel. It’s been sitting at least 10 years so that was great. Now to wash her up and make it respectable. No temperamental codes or def just some smoke and ready to go

Hard to imagine this was the main power when he was a kid and they had almost 200 cows back then. Kinda spoiled feeding cows now compared to tossing square bales by hand………………

Dad just turned 71 in October so this is happening sooner than any of us would have liked. Glad they had all the estate planning done a long time ago to take away that stress

[Marusko]

nice work, woodland. My condolences on his passing.

[fjlip]

Sad for you, he was younger than I am. But having all planning done is the last detail to get finished. Hope all are on top of the planning.

"They're never really gone, they're no longer physically with us but they live on in our hearts and in our memories forever. And this guy was, and always will be, woven into the fabric of the land he farmed as long as his health permitted him to. Even when he could no longer do field duties he was usually watching from the seat of his half ton. Imagine how poorly he must have physically felt for him not to come out himself, sometimes mom would bring him out to watch some harvest. It seems you become part of it."

My Dad to a T! He was still able to drive out to watch harvest/planting till 98.

Well done farma!

We did pictures and wheat in casket. The hearse drove slowly through the yards he helped build. His casket was of Poplar wood, that tree he spent so much time clearing from the land we farm.


Never forget their legacy...