The Queens funeral 3

[KenAdams]

Again, thread 2 has filled up fast.

That's because it was the date originally for Edward VIII's coronation and planning was already well in hand.

Can't believe how moved I was by it all.

Rest in peace Queen Elizabeth II.

Is the music Elizabeth II by Debbie Wiseman? I'm not completely sure about this but it reminded me of Debbie Wiseman's music which is often played on Classic FM. She composed a whole album about kings and queens for the Queen's 95th birthday.

Oh I only know her music from Wolf Hall. Will definitely look this up, thanks!

I agree. This is a gesture of love. The Queen specifically asked for the national anthem to be sung at her funeral.

I think I wasnt clear.
The song changed when he became king yes - singing it at the funeral wasn't part of the tradition, it was the Queen's own request that it be sang then, for Charles.

Has anyone else got the funeral dirge going through their head as an ear worm?

Me too!

I agree. I wonder if Huw Edwards will get a few days off now? It feels like he has been on duty for much of the time since the Queen first became ill.

I've not seen any of it but I did go to a service in our local cathedral yesterday that choked me up. I am going to watch the highlights only. I shall miss her.

I feel much happier after these past 11 days that her family finally got some privacy with her and she is now fully at rest. I hope the family can take some downtime and process now.

Goodnight Queen Elizabeth II, rest now.

@Whatapalavarrr don't think it's Elizabeth II but does sound very, very similar so I think it could be something by Debbie Wiseman. Thanks for the suggestion

I would love to know what the Queen was wearing in the coffin, anyone know or was that information kept private?
At an Irish funeral the fashion in the coffin can be amazing.

Loads of churches now have chairs rather than pews that can be arranged in different ways depending on the occasion. Probably easier to fit more people in facing that way and it was for a service that meant the procession more important than it is in many other services. Just logistics rather than anything symbolic.

A poster was asking the significance of the Piper walking away while playing the Regimental Lament 'Sleep, Dearie, Sleep'.

It represents the soul leaving the body and the earth as the sound fades into distance.

The choir do sit like that in most older Churches, yes, but if you think of Westminster Abbey today, (and St Georges) they had the choir, in the choir stalls, but also all the seats near the front of the Church, where the Royals were sitting, were facing people sitting opposite them.
In my local Parish Church (which is over 1000 years old, so not a modern one!) the part where the choir sit, the choristers would face one another, but all the congregation - including chief mourners at a funeral, or the B&Gs family at a wedding (thinking of all the royal weddings in either of those Churches where the families face each other) but in MOST Churches, everyone but the choir would sit facing forwards.

To the other poster who mentioned chairs. Yes, I know many Churches use chairs and can be flexible, but the original question was why those churches today have people facing each other rather than facing forwards, and I am interested in knowing that too, if anyone knows.

@Rapidtango
There's actually an interesting video at the Nieuwe Kirk in Delft where many of the Dutch royal family are buried about the vault and the burials within. Also the Danish royal family at Roskilde - there is a glass sarcophagus for Queen Margarethe which I believe she designed herself. DH, god live him, thought she was going to be buried in it!

A sarcophagus was originally an ornate ‘casing’ into which a coffin would be placed. It’s come to be used as a word for any above ground tomb. So your DH was right - if the structure really was a sarcophagus, then the coffin would go inside it.

To the other poster who mentioned chairs. Yes, I know many Churches use chairs and can be flexible, but the original question was why those churches today have people facing each other rather than facing forwards, and I am interested in knowing that too, if anyone knows.
**
The areas facing each other are usually known as the choir, or choir stalls. This is seating for the clergy and choir. It’s an area not usually used for seating the congregation, but for large events like today, I image it helps squeeze in more people!

@TokyoSushi The horseshoe brooch was a gift from the late Queen to Princess Charlotte according to itv.

But St George's was used for 20 people at Philips funeral and they still faced each other.
I've been in a church in Oxford which was like St George's too, everyone faced the asile.

I can't think of any Scottish churches like that which makes me think it might be an English thing but I've no clue why?

I wonder too, if it's a ceremonial gown or day dres.

But St George's was used for 20 people at Philips funeral and they still faced each other.

I've been in a church in Oxford which was like St George's too, everyone faced the asile.

@Dinoteeth

I am only guessing, but maybe when it was the Duke’s funeral they didn’t need to use the main body of the chapel as the congregation was so small. Probably more intimate to only use the choir / quire.

I don’t know about the church you visited in Oxford… I have been inside a good few and have never come across the same thing.

Yes, very curious about this too. I assume she had chosen it herself or left guidelines. I imagine a simple day dress, with some very personal jewellery.

A previous poster speculated if she was buried with her always present handbag. Quite possibly. The close family might have placed letters and messages inside the bag. My stepfather (of Scots heritage and WWII veteran) passed away last year, my mother wrote a letter to him and my sister and I placed this and a little bottle of whiskey in his sporran (he was buried in his kilt).

Apparently Diana was buried in a black Catherine Walker dress that she had ordered but had not yet had a chance to wear.

But St George's was used for 20 people at Philips funeral and they still faced each other.
But they were in the choir stalls then weren't they? Not congregation seating?

Yes, very curious about this too. I assume she had chosen it herself or left guidelines. I imagine a simple day dress, with some very personal jewellery.

I read it was her wedding ring and I think a locket or necklace given to her my Philip or her father. I can't remember for sure and can't find the article now.