We are so grateful to you all for your thoughts and best wishes. 

We gave Sarah a lovely send off yesterday on Wednesday 8th April 2020.  We would have so loved to have had everyone there - but we are looking forward to the memorial and celebration service where everyone can come together after this time of isolation is over.

Below is a short description of the day, with links to pictures of the order of service and some of the flowers. I've also listed the songs we listened to, with the lyrics, and there are two links to youtube videos of the slide shows of pictures we made.  I know it isn't as good as having you all there, but it is something, and hopefully you can feel a little involved.     

The weather was beautiful, as Sarah would say "the sky is clear and the weather is blue".  Sarah was brought to her mum and dad's house in Hayes, where she grew up and where Sarah and I spent many happy times. 

My brother in law Grant walked in front of and led the hearse with all his regalia and all was silent.   The neighbours came out and stood at the roadside in honour when the hearse came.  

I chose a wicker coffin which was coloured blue along the sides.  It was so Sarah. 

I was a little worried that there wouldn't be enough flowers because of the lockdown but there were lots, and all of them in yellow and a blue with some other lovely colours in there too.  The main spray had flowers which looked a lot like sunflowers (though I understand they aren't actually sunflowers) and my dad had picked daffodils in the morning so there was one for everyone who came. 
Sarah's two favourite flowers and her two favourite colours were well represented - sunflowers, daffodils, yellow and blue.

Sadly we weren't allowed limos so we all drove ourselves, but that went well too, people bowed their heads as we passed.

We walked into the service to "Somewhere over the rainbow" by Israel Kamakawiwo'ole (you'll know it if you hear it) - link to the youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1bFr2SWP1I, you can also click on the link below. 

Our friend Martin Print (who married us) spoke and Mary Print read John 14v1-4: https://sarahgardner.muchloved.com/Gallery/Thoughts/307798895  

Pamela Wilkes read “Come with Me” by Rhona Braswell – https://sarahgardner.muchloved.com/Gallery/Thoughts/297130619  

We had a slight technical glitch, so we then heard “I can only imagine”, sung by Tim Hughes (different sequence in the order of service).  Link to the slides, song and lyrics all on youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9r1edDkRoFc 

I was able to say a few words, which was really important to me. 

Then we listened to “The Garden” by Take That (got to be Take That!!!), link to the slides and lyrics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KE7lT7t92_c, you can also listen to it below. 

After Martin gave the address and commendation, we left to Take That's "Never Forget", you can click below to listen to the song, or see the youtube video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoO_1FFr56k.

Much love to you all.

Ben