Indirectly from Alan, Hughie's youngest son, here is his report on the
funeral:

"This will get to be long, but i have nothing else to do except nurse a
hangover.

First time I've been drunk for a while. The rest of the bros came back
here last night to start sorting things out and it all ended up in a
very boozy weepy laughing party. Pops own bros and sisters were here
too, place was birling with bodies. The women cleared up and they all
got taxis home except Ron and Chris and Amy about 2 am Ron and Chris
slept in my bed, Amy on Pops daybed and I wanted to sleep in Pops bed,
so i could be near the smell of him. I cried for a while last night-this
morning. Pops had a nice smell - sort of like fresh sweat mixed with new
mown grass. I could almost say he was there beside me. I'm keeping HIS
bed, pillows I'll never wash - the smell is just too good.

My big dad, my Pops, my best pal ever - he accepted me for what I was
and he loved me - so how could I NOT love him back?

There's maybe a lot he didn't tell you - that we used to get pissed off
with him for saying so much about us.
That surprised us, because he was usually reticent about saying anything
really personal about us to anyone, never mind on the damn internet for
the world to see. Never bother, we reached a compromise that he didn't
give too many personal details away - and after reading through some of
his archived emails to different people yesterday and last night, I'm
surprised frankly that he never told people enough about himself, but
concentrated on his kids all the time - or most of the time. Y ou wanted
to ask about Pop's funeral?

In Church:

The coffin was in place in front of the communion table, (other people
would maybe call it the altar, but we dont) The coffin was covered with
the Union Flag and a framed photo of Pops on it. No flowers, as he had
requested, but there was a wreath from the family and one from the Royal
British Legion.

It's the custom in our church that the family comes into church last of
all. The front eight pews were reserved for us.
Ron was first with his wife and kids and the grandkids, then Chris and
so on, till it was myself and Jack. Then Pop's own bros and sisters and
their husbands and wives. The church was bursting, some people outside.
Neither of Dad's wives attended, but my own mum's new husband was there.
I must find out why Mum didn't attend. I felt a bit offended. She had,
at some points in their lives, been very much in lovewith Da, or else I
would not be here?

   1. Initial address by Reverend Graham Thain, the minister.
   2. First Hymn - "Guide me O thou Great Jehovah, Pilgrim through this
barren Land." (Tune - "Cwm Rhondda")
   3. Prayers of thanks for Da's life.
   4. Outline of the life and achievements of Hugh Richard Kearnley, by
the Minister.
   5. Homily, by Uncle Tom, Da's youngest brother.
   6. Reminiscences of family life, outstanding moments, by Ron. (He
almost lost it and his voice faltered more than once)
   7. Tribute, by Colonel Gordon Walker, formerly of the King's Own
Scottish Borderers (Da's Regiment)
   8. Prayers for the family, led by the Minister.
   9. Final Hymn - "There shall be showers of Blessings"
  10. Exeunt processional: Coffin carried by Ron, Chris, Dave, Uncle
Alex, Derek and myself out to the hearse. Music was played by the full
time organist Mr Cowan. Going into church, I heard "Salute to Love" by
sir Edward Elgar. Coming out, a piper from the Royal Regiment of
Scotland played "The Black Bear" and then "Flower of Scotland" as we got
into the cars for the Crematorium.
  11. "Old Peter" the largest Bell in Saint David's sounded out a
continuous solitary peal. I must admit that right then, I had some very
neutral emotions, wishing I was not there.
  12. Two buses laid on for friends, etc.

Clydebank Crematorium:

   1. Again - packed out. Dad said that people were not to wear suits
and ties, just jeans and t-shirts and clothes that he knew people in,
nothing special. Ron wore his usual black suit as did Da's brothers, but
the rest followed his wishes. I wore the last t-shirt he got from his
SOX friend in chicago who Da said he really wanted to go and see him and
his favourite team, the White Sox. Can you please tell his pal that?
   2. We carried the coffin to the catalfque and stood for the first
hymn - Dad's favourite of all - "Safe in the arms of Jesus" I admit, I
broke down and wept. It's usually a baptismal hymn for the youngest
children, but Pops used to give it the Laldy whenever it was played -
his loudest big deep voice was incredible! You could hear him over all
the church, even though he was stuck at the organ and more or less out
of sight.
   3. Solo unaccompanied, by Dad's "other" favourite boy - my  pal
Derek, wearing his full ceremonial Kilt dress - "The Skye Boat Song"
   4. Beatitudes on Dad's approach to life by his oldest sister,  Aunty
Jean. Lasted a while - almost got boring.
   5. Prayers and final thanks for Dad's life.
   6. Hymn - "How great Thou art!"
   7. Coffin Recessional - Curtains closing and Dad's request - Nat
"king" Cole singing - "The party's over, time to call it a day...."

Its a nice setting for a grisly business. Lots of parkland and trees,
commemorative bushes and so on. It depressed me. I wanted away.

Pops  had mixed feelings about whether to be cremated or buried. The
Family lair at New Monkland in Airdrie, has space for another eight
people, bought by my great-great Grandad when he came back from the
Klondyke. (Or is it great, great great? I have no idea!) Sixteen of my
"ancestors" are buried there. I hope that maybe there will be a space
reserved for me - but I have the Lair Rights of Ownership documents - so
there WILL be! My Pop's dad is there and so is my Grandmama, so it will
maybe be nice to lie beside them under the grass. But - NOT yet!

I had hoped that my darling daddy would want to be buried, to give us
somewhere to visit and remember the beautiful big gentle guy he was. But
his preference was cremation - instant decomposition, rather than the
slow decay in a burial coffin.

Whatever, his absolute faith and trust in Almighty God to bring him back
from wind-blown dust always got to me. Pops said that cremation was less
polluting than burial. He was my DAD. I trust him. I always did. He
never lied to me. Oh hell - I LOVE him. He loved me for all my faults, I
was his little boy that he needed to look after and he was my big lovely
daddy that I hoped would always be there for and with me.
Now - remembering the mad nights when I would come home the worse for
wear and dear Da Shuggie would be there to sort me out! His huge fists
were like Angels touches. God-sent. My Dada!

My hero - big huge Shuggie, my Da, like Flora, when she said her cheerio
- "Mon cherie - Au revoire."

I WILL see my Big Daddy on the other side. Now I KNOW what he was
talking about."

The pipe music is listed here: http://www.scotiapipers.co.uk/music.htm

Regards,

Steve J

I really miss dad.
You got no idea.
This place is so empty now.
I want to cuddle my Pops and he isn't here for me.
Just got back from Badminton -- half expecting food ready.
No -- Dad is gone now.
So, cup of soup and slice of bread.
Empty bed and no-one to pray for.

Dear Lord God, etc.

-- From "Suffer the Children"

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