Monday July 15th 2002

The last goodbye

Today the immediate family (children included) gathered in a small chapel to say goodbye to my grandfather. I don’t know if this exists in other countries but it’s called “kistulagning” og “casket-laying” in Iceland. My grandfather lay in his open casket with a cloth over his face while the priest said some words. Then the organ was played and a man sang a song. Then the priest talked some more and then some more organ and singing.

Finally it was time to say goodbye, in which every family-member stood up, walked to grandfather’s casket, took the cloth from his face, and said goodbye, kissing him or stroking his face. Hardly an eye was dry. I had actually already seen grandfather after his death at the hospital the night he died, but this morning his face was even more peaceful than it had been then. And very very cold.

On Wednesday the funeral will be held after which he will be cremated.

After the casket-laying, the family met up at my grandmother’s house (which is next door to the chapel and to where he will be buried) and drank some coffee. Finnur and I then went to my mother’s place where we spent the afternoon, before going to his oldest sister’s place and having dinner. Afterwards I went along with Holla and Adda and visited a girlfriend of mine and her husband who have a 6 week old girl. It was very nice and they live in a really nice place just outside the city.