Rita MacNeal's Funeral

The funeral for Rita MacNeil was held Monday April 22, 2013 in St. Mary's Catholic Church in Big Pond, Cape Breton with 200 in the sanctuary and 450 next door at the Community Firehall. It was as unique as the person it honoured. The singing was led by a female Kantor without accompaniment, the congregation was the choir. It began with her daughter reading a note from Rita herself asking that her remains be cremated and placed in a tea pot, 2 if necessary, and that a reception with 'cash bar' be held at the firehall after the service. A picture of Rita hands clasped in front of her chin sat in front of the altar beside the teapot and a vase of red roses, on a stand beside them one of Rita's favourite red hats. Save for the priest's eulogy the entire service seemed scripted by Rita including the playing of a selection from her last CD. This was not a high requiem mass and could have been celebrated in any church, no mention was made of Rita's membership or attendance at mass. As the service ended the tea pot was carried out of the church by a family member one would suppose to officiate at her wake, the ashes to be spread around her tearoom at her request. After the crucifer led the officiants and family out of the church the congregation took the opportunity to exchange greetings and chatter, they had after all just been exhorted to take every opportunity to greet and hug one another.

For the present raw footage of the service is available here:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/story/2013/04/22/ns-macneil-funeral.html