When I got to the end of my then nine-part series, I realized that I needed two more parts, to finish off my funeral planning. The first part was way up front in “Part 3” where I tried to explain some of the decisions that I made as regards my funeral service. The other part – this one – was required to finish things off. I couldn’t just end at lunch.
What’s the Meaning of Life?
I suspect that most people, from time to time, question the meaning of life. Dionne Warwick asked the question in the song Alfie.
What’s it all about, Alfie? Is it just for the moment we live? … As sure as I believe there’s a heaven above, Alfie, I know there’s something much more, something even non-believers can believe in. I believe in love, Alfie. Without true love we just exist.
The Church, via its Catechism (CCC 1604), notes that, "God who created man out of love also calls him to love – the fundamental and innate vocation of every human being.”
I suggest that one area of life that we often overlook is our love of God. We get so caught up in our lives that we forget our connection to the creator. If prayer is A TRIP to heaven, then we must remember to Adore and Thank God. By doing that, I believe that we can better understand the meaning of life.
Legacy in Books
I suspect that most of us also question the meanings of our death – what lingers on after our deaths in the form of both genetics and in the memories of those that we touched.
In my case, I pray that I have left memories in my books – memories of myself, but also memories of the generations that preceded me.
· I believe that my “Burdett” grandfather’s legacy lives on in my book BS: The Burdett Senger Chronicles. It contains his “life story,” a story that got me interested in writing other life stories. His “life story” is now more than a handwritten letter tucked away in a bedroom drawer.
· I believe that my “Senger” grandparent’s legacies also live on in BS, as they migrated from Strasbourg (France) to Strassburg (Russia) to Strasburg (North Dakota).
· I believe that my “Thomas” great-grandfather’s legacy also lives on in BS, as he emigrated from Wales to his “Zion” in Utah.
· I believe that my parent’s legacies also live on in BS, as viewed from the eyes of their child as he grew into adulthood.
· I believe that my “Burdett” ancestors from long ago live on in BS and BS3: Etcetera, as they fought alongside William the Conqueror, served in the English Parliament, and helped teach (a theory) William Shakespeare to write his stories.
· Likewise, I believe my wife’s families – the Gendas, the Oshimas, and the Shiroyamas – live on in Families 1450, 4506 and 4711 (e.g., as my father-in-law moved from a fishing village near San Pedro, California, to the internment camp at Manzanar, to the Village of Boys Town, Nebraska – at the invitation of Father Edward Joseph Flanagen, Servant of God).
· And lastly, I believe that my legacy lives on, to some small extent, in my book BS2: An autobiography – something for the grandkids to read some day.
Emily’s Request
Recently, Emily, my daughter-in-law, told me that while she was rummaging through their storeroom, she came across a set of books that I had given my two-year-old granddaughter as a Christmas present in 2020. The gift, pictured in the photograph accompanying this post, was a set of my three “genealogical” books, in a storage case, with a letter. The letter read, in part:
“I wrote Families 1450, 4506 and 4711 before you were born. BS and BS2 were written during the last year and a half, while grandma and I were babysitting you once or twice a week. You were a joy to hang around and a bundle of surprises and joy. I thought about you a lot as I wrote the last two books, as noted in this excerpt from a letter I sent to my Aunt Arlene Keller.”
“I found myself thinking about Sophia a lot as I wrote the books. I was trying to write something that might help her in 20+ years. That was the main reason why I included the “dysfunction” and “black dog” sections. I did not want to leave her with a one-sided account of life – one without dysfunction and depression. I wanted to let her know that her grandfather and her ancestors worked through these kind of things – and so could she – if she had to.”
The letter was signed: Love “Pa” X0X0X0. The gift – the letter and the books – was a way to leave a legacy, just as my grandfather, Charles Lorenzo Burdett, did when he left his family his “life story.” I have since updated that gift to include a copy of my book BS3: Etcetera, which was not written back in 2020. And, per Emily’s request, I also wrote a second letter to accompany a set of books for my newest (youngest) granddaughter, now 3-1/2.
An Organ Concert?
I must confess that this idea originated late in the “funeral planning” process, but the more I think about it – the more I like it.
At the start of this series, in Part 1, I noted that when my wife and I were married we had co-celebrants (Pastor Laverman from my wife’s church, and Father Paul Ortmeir – the priest who had assisted us during our marriage preparation). Pastor Laverman’s presence at our wedding meant a lot to my wife. I suspect that a “co-presider” might be comforting to my wife during my funeral. I have a specific individual and role in mind.
The individual is Pastor Dave Collins, from Lifegate Church. My wife and I have known Pastor Dave for decades. During part of that time my wife assisted him with their church’s senior citizen ministries – first “Keenagers” and more recently “Mastering.” Pastor Dave is a kind and gentle man and an accomplished organist.
The role that I have in mind is a mini-organ recital, fifteen-to-twenty minutes on the big organ in the main sanctuary – after the funeral luncheon (maybe noonish) – before my urn and family proceed to the cemetery. During the recital I would like Pastor Dave to “work the pipes” – the pipes up front and the trumpets in the rear of the sanctuary. I want the music to surround my family and friends with sounds so loud that the stained-glass window of Father Flanagen will vibrate, and St. Peter, manning the “pearly gates” will be reminded that I am coming!
Pastor Dave is familiar with the St. Wenceslaus organ; he has played it. At one time I was hoping that he would be allowed to practice on it occasionally and maybe assist St. Wenceslaus if they were ever in a pinch for an organist – he lives just a few blocks away from the parish. But alas, the powers-to-be apparently decided not to go in that direction.
And, maybe, Pastor Dave (as a co-presider) could assist with the service (e.g., read one of the readings or the petitions).
Anyway, kind of a late addition to the “plan,” but if it works out, I would be delighted. If so, maybe tweak the obituary to include the time of the organ recital.
God’s Mercy
In a recent post on this blog (January 31, 2026), I noted a quote from one of my spiritual mentors, Peter Kreeft. The quote read, “God is infinite in mercy, very tricky, and provides many backdoor entrances to His commodious Heavenly mansion in addition to the Church, which is His visible front door.”
I like the quote. I will never underestimate God’s mercy; indeed, I rely on it. The term “tricky” is not often used to describe God. I suspect that Kreeft used the word as a “positive adjective,” as in crafty (subtlety of method). Anyway, the term gets you to think about God’s qualities. The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 847) alludes to who all might enter God’s “Heavenly mansion.” I pray that God is extremely merciful.
Anyway, this has been an interesting experience – planning my funeral. I will be interested to see how it all works out.
THE END