A funeral flash mob
My wife, Elizabeth, wanted a “flash mob” at her funeral.
She talked about that not just once but often––because she had lots of medical problems, and she loved the idea of something surprising and unexpected happening. She always enjoyed the videos when––in the middle of a shopping mall––one member of an orchestra might begin playing alone and then gradually be joined by others until the full orchestra raised the roof with music, delighting the passers-by.
I always smiled when she talked about that, but my liturgical sensibilities couldn’t reconcile funeral and flash mob.
I imagined my brother might tell that story in the funeral sermon as a way for people to get to know Elizabeth, which he did. But I was TOTALLY surprised when during the conclusion of the sermon, people starting singing and then playing handbells, joined by instrumentalists and the organ bringing them all together in the resounding harmonies of the hymn, Soli Deo Gloria, while festive red banners danced in celebration.
And in that moment I wept yet again at her memory, and the spontaneous delight she treasured. And I wept in gratitude for all those who honored her wishes in a way that I could never have imagined.
The Liturgy of Remembrance for Elizabeth on May 27, 2022, was a long time in coming, Elizabeth having died on March 11, 2020. Her funeral was to have been March 16, 2020. It was cancelled the day prior, just as the nation was shutting down out of covid caution. But those extra 807 days of reflection and remembrance meant that the liturgy became my personal and passionate tribute to Elizabeth to honor her and celebrate her life in an even more personal way—and at the eleventh hour gave my brother time to imagine a flash mob extravaganza.
Most profoundly meaningful for me was playing cello in the prelude, along with Preston, my son. That would have been unthinkable for us two years ago. I was able to share through music the gratitude in my heart for our life together—knowing that I could never have spoken such thanksgivings aloud in words.
I am grateful for all who joined together for this liturgy, including extraordinary musicians, colleagues, family, and friends. I am especially appreciative of my brother’s gift of weaving together so many stories and themes and imagining that a flash mob really could happen at a funeral, along with Kim Gonia who partnered together in the planning.
Below is the worship bulletin, along with the worship video. Key time markers in the video:
3:25 Prelude
25:06 Liturgy Begins
34:44 Gospel Reading and Sermon
56:50 Flash Mob
1:04:53 Communion Liturgy
1:30:24 Postlude
Liturgy of Remembrance
Elizabeth Ann Izant
October 25, 1960 - March 11, 2020
The Liturgy of Remembrance for Elizabeth Ann Izant took place at Augustana Lutheran Church in Denver on Friday, May 27, 2022.
Giving thanks for Elizabeth’s life and love, 807 days after her death (from left): Preston Mueller, Ernest Vasseur, Kent Mueller, Craig Mueller, Gerald Mueller, Annika Mueller, Zac Stevens, and (seated) Delores Mueller.
THE ART OF LOVE AND LOSS
February 10, 2020, was the day my wife, Elizabeth Izant, entered the hospital. She and I were on a hopeful journey following her heart transplant five months prior. On March 1, she entered hospice and died March 11. A year later, from February 10 to March 11, 2021, I wrote a reflection on a piece of art we had collected together. This series is not about her medical journey. This is about sharing stories and reflections about our life together.
I invite you to read those reflections. But scroll to the bottom for the first post.