Funeral of Georges Touchard

   Yesterday at three o'clock , we went to Loubille Catholic Church to take part in our friend's funeral. We have attended several ceremonies in France over  the years and were somewhat prepared. We dressed very warmly, expecting the church to be cold but in the event, it was quite warm. People in France dress less formally than in England many of the congregation were wearing jeans...
  We all waited outside for the arrival of the funeral car, a very shiny grey machine with the coffin and loads of wreaths. The funeral director took immediate charge, the coffin was unloaded and wheeled in on a trolley, the family, who were formally dressed, were marshalled in first, followed by the other worshippers and we were ushered into our seats. The order of service was printed on small leaflets, with various hymns. The church was quite full, Georges was well-known locally.
  The singing was a bit pitiful to ears accustomed to the lustier singing of the non-conformist
churches... Typical of Catholic Churches though the people won't sing if they are not sure of the tune. Actually, most of the people are not regular churchgoers, only attending for Christenings, weddings and funerals! Two ladies were in charge of the ceremony, there didn't seem to be an officiating Priest.
  After a normal Catholic Mass, the family first, then the other worshippers were invited to file past the coffin to take their final farewell to Georges and to sprinkle the coffin with holy water with a bunch of herbs. Then everyone filed out and stood almost blocking the road until the coffin was carried out by four bearers from the funeral director's. It was loaded onto the vehicle which drove slowly off , followed by the family and the congregation in a slow procession, to the cemetery, where Georges will be interred in the family plot. The coffin was installed over the pre-dug grave. After a short service, everyone filed past the coffin to take a final farewell.
   Everyone then left the graveyard and assembled outside to greet friends and have a good gossip. We went into the cafe to enjoy a much needed coffee with several friends .
  Bye for now, it's next morning, I've lit the stove and will start to feed the flock.