Amelia's funeral and burial

Ashley and Kurt, parents of Amelia, both speak at her funeral.  They talk of the understanding and perspective this experience has brought. Grandma Bird and some of Amelia’s cousins and Aunts share their memories, and a cousin choir sings “A Happy Family” and “You are My Sunshine”.   

Amelia’s mother shares that The Family Song is one of Amelia’s favorites: 

“I love mother, she loves me. 

We love daddy, yes sirree. 

He loves us, and so you see, 

We are a happy family!”  

Amelia’s cousin, John Hadfield, sings “Peace, be Still” an arrangement by Ameila's Aunt,  Peggy Bird, accompanied by Peggy on the violin.  Music is so moving.  It was beautiful. 

The family wishes that all her knew Amelia use her example as a way to commit to be a little better.  They make bracelets that say "I love you Amelia".  An attached card explains:

“Our wish is that all who were affected by this and touched by Amelia would take this tragedy and use it for good.  Let it be an inspiration to be better individuals that we were the day before.  We want this bracelet to be a reminder of the desire we have each felt from this experience to make changes in our lives for good.  We are devastated to lose our little girl, but this pain is overpowered by the happiness of the gospel of Jesus Christ and by the miracles that Amelia is able to work with her little hands."

--Kurt & Ashley

I committ to be better.  

Amelia is buried in Pinto, a small stretch of wilderness owned by a few families. 

It's a place Amelia loved.  

Perhaps the burial is the hardest part of the whole experience.  

Kurt holds his son, while Ashley holds their newborn baby.

Amelia was a great older sister to her two siblings.

Grandpa Bird shares some thoughts and dedicates Ameila's final resting place.  

Ameila's grandmother gives each of her children a unique picture of Jesus Christ.  This is Amelia's picture.  It stands as a memory of a sweet little girl.My prayers continue to be with Kurt and Ashley and their family.  I pray that in the many days, weeks, and years ahead they can remember the peaceful feeling they felt during this experience and be buoyed up by our Savior’s love.

I thank my Heavenly Father for the understanding that life continues after this earthly experience; that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ we can be together as families.

From the funeral program:

“In my leisure moments I have meditated upon the subject, and asked the question, why is it that infants, innocent children, are taken away from us, especially those that seem to be the most intelligent and interesting…The Lord takes many away even in infancy, that they may escape the envy of man, and the sorrow and evils of this present world; they were too pure, too lovely, to live on earth; therefore, if rightly considered, instead of mourning we have reason to rejoice as they are delivered from evil, and we shall soon have them again…All children are redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ, and the moment that children leave this world, they are taken to the boson of Abraham.”

--Joseph Smith Jr.

Amelia Marie Hansen;  Amelia's Journey Home, a father's thoughts; Amelia's obituary and Grandmother's reflections; Amelia's viewing, A letter to Amelia's parents

Amelia's viewing

It's been an emotional week.

I really can't believe how I've grown attached to this sweet little 2 year-old; a girl I never met before.  In a tragic sequence of event, Amelia returns to her Heavenly Father after a drowning accident.

(Amelia Marie Hansen, a mother's thoughts here.
Amelia's Journey Home, a father's account, here.
 Reflections from Amelia's grandmother, my neighbor, here.
Amelia's obituary, here)

Friday is Ameila's viewing.

I am grateful the Grandfather invited me to help remember the events by taking photos.

I pray I can capture the beauty and inspiration everyone felt throughout the weekend. 

The viewing was the first time I met Amelia's parents, Kurt and Ashley.  They are both lovely and my heart aches for them. I can’t imagine what it must be like to bury a child.   

If it is any comfort, Ameila looks beautiful. She's so peaceful and sweet.  I’ll remember Amelia with the aroma of the hundreds of flowers that filled the room. 

I was very aware of Amelia’s baby brother, Jet.  He is lost without his sister.  They are very close in age, and very close siblings.  He is constantly by her side and even at his tender age I sense he is searching for his sister. 

Lots of family and friends come to share their love and support. The hardest for me is to watch Amelia’s young cousins trying to understand her death. 

Through all the tears and pain there is still an overarching feeling of love and hope and light. Their faith in Jesus Christ and his Atonement gives us all comfort, hope, and understanding.  This time on earth is a short part of our eternal existence.  Through Jesus Christ we can be together again as families.