My father has died

[Jbrase]

My condolences.

[Swing low, sweet chariot. Comin' for to carry me home.]

But now I'm pretty down ...

bummer.

I remember when my father died.  I was in the eighth grade.  Then my mother raised us.  She died my first year in grad school.  Slow, painful death.  A death I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.

I hope your father died quickly and peacefully, but even if he didn't he's at peace now.  You'll remember only the good stuff, as the years go by.  Take care of your mother and siblings. 
 

excellent post, angus

[So the Heroes Fall]

Wow, that's awful. Your family will certainly be in my prayers.

[asexual trans victimologist]

Like Clarence, I never knew my father, so I can only imagine this feeling. My deepest condolences nevertheless, and I hope you get through this and are able to return to us some day.

[Grad Students are the Worst]

God man, I'm sorry, that's sobering.   I hope you take whatever time you need for yourself.  Surround yourself with whoever and whatever you need right now.  Best of luck and love from all of us.

[pillage the village, trash the scene]

Terrible news. May God bless you and your family.

[Gustaf]

I'm very sorry to hear that, Tender. My condoleances.

[ZuWo]

Herzliches Beileid.

[Californian Tony]

Very sad news. All my condolences, Tender.

[Smid]

I'm really sorry to hear this, mate. Nothing I can say that makes it better but my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

[Thomas D]

I'm so very sorry for loss. My thoughts are with you.

[Hashemite]

My most sincere condolences, Tender. I can only imagine how terrible and awful these days must be. Best of luck.

[Platypus]

Mate, that's bloody awful.

Not much to say beyong that I hope you and your family get through it as best as you can.

Good luck.

[All life is a blur of Republicans and meat.]

So sorry, Tender.

[I'm JewCon in name only.]

Thats terrible Tender, I'm so sorry to hear


I'll keep you, and your family in my prayers, and may G-d bless you in this difficult time.

[Torie]

I am so sorry to hear this Mark. I never really got over losing my Dad, even though he lived his allotted life-span (he died at 84, but he was a young and vital 84 until he hit the wall), and I assume yours did not, which makes it worse really, not to mention how it would be affecting your mother. Take care. I empathize with you.

[Inks.LWC Supports Chuck Hagel]

I'm really sorry to hear that, but I hope you do return.  If you need anything, feel free to PM me.

[Citizen (The) Doctor]

Sorry to hear that man. Hope things are alright over there.

[Secretary Polnut]

Tremendous sympathies to you and your family at this dreadful time.

I lost my father when I was 8, more than 20 years ago now. But I can say, with time, the pain will ease, and you will focus more and more on the best times.

[ilikeverin]

Oh my goodness! *hughughug*

[Keystone Phil]

My prayers are with you and your family. I hope you return when you're ready.

[Tender Branson]

But now I'm pretty down ...

I hope your father died quickly and peacefully, but even if he didn't he's at peace now.  You'll remember only the good stuff, as the years go by.  Take care of your mother and siblings. 
 

He did. I was not there while it happened, but I was told it was quick and he didn't suffer. He already had a heart attack about 11 years ago and got some stents implanted into his heart back then and medication. But sometimes even the best medicine or the daily walking he did can't prevent a sudden heart attack. At least we had him for another 11 years around, because he could have already died back then. And he would not have been able to see his 3 grand-kids, 2 of them pictured below.

My mum was quite shocked at first, but because my brothers and my sister as well as many close relatives came to the house and comforted her, she is now taking it very strongly already and I'm 100% sure she'll overcome the loss in the next months, years - like we will.

It's amazing how well my little nephew and my 2 little nieces (3-5 years old) handled his death, especially considering that it was THEIR granddad with whom they liked to play each weekend. They painted some pictures and put it into the open coffin and my nephew - who likes tools like drilling machines and hammers etc. put field glasses into the coffin to say goodbye, so granddad can watch down from heaven. My brother almost broke down at the coffin while he put it in there.

I was also pretty emotional at the coffin, but because my dad had such a satisfied smile on his face like all problems had been wiped away that bothered him, I felt very relieved that he may have it better right now whereever he may be right now, heaven or somewhere else reborn etc.

The funeral will take place next week and I have to assist my mum in the coming days with a lot of bureaucracy that is involved with a death, so I'll probably won't be posting here for another few days or weeks - even though surfing the internet is a disctration for me after everything that happened, so other than in the first post I'll be back again here ...

Finally I want to thank all of you who wished us well and prayed for us, especially Dani - a good friend of mine from highschool for 4 years and who I went to prom with, but then went to med school and we didn't see each other for the next 6 years. She's a doctor now and works for the Red Cross and was among the Rescue Team that arrived at my parents house to help and comfort us. Not seen her for 6 years, will defintely do so again - we already made shure of that. Maybe it should have been this way. Probably she won't read this here, but THANK YOU Daniela.

So, folks, see you later when things have settled down a bit and we can go on.

[Tender Branson]

Just came back from the funeral of my father, with many people there, relatives and friends.

The weather was better then expected, because rain was forecast, but at the grave outside it didn't rain then.

In church, we had a good mass with lots of comforting words about him and my aunt and another good friend played the guitar and another instrument. He would have liked that.

Slowly we can go on with our lives, even though we or I'll never forget him ...

[Vasall des Midas]

Two whole weeks between the death and the funeral? Is that normal in Austria, it strikes me as very long.

Good to see you back.

[Tender Branson]

Two whole weeks between the death and the funeral? Is that normal in Austria, it strikes me as very long.

Good to see you back.

Most people have their funeral after 3 to 5 days, involving a coffin.

But my dad wanted to get burned and they had to transfer him to Salzburg for burning and that took some time and so my mum decided that the funeral is held a bit later.

I don't know though if there are rules by which time after a death you have to have the funeral take place.