Jason's Epic Funeral - the Recessional

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Do you know what a funeral “recessional” is?
I didn’t either.
It’s the music played while the pallbearers carry out the body and the family follows.

Our friend, Melinda, offered to play the organ at Jason’s funeral.
She asked if I had any requests.
I didn’t.
But as the funeral ended and Jason was being carried out by our brothers, our fathers and Coleman, Melinda began to play.
It started to sound familiar.
I laughed in surprise and joy.
I grabbed my mom’s arm and said, “It’s the BYU Fight Song!”
Played slowly and beautifully. Organ-style.

Murmurs began to ripple through the crowd of over 800 people.
Giggles almost, as the familiar tune was recognized.
I walked out behind Jason, smiling.

It’s one of my favorite memories of Jason’s Epic Funeral.
The event where we created exactly what Jason worked to do in every presentation he gave to corporations.
Every talk he gave to youth groups.
Each speaker picked a characteristic of Jason, shared a story and a message of hope teaching the principle.

The foyer played videos of Jason speaking. Telling stories. Still teaching each person who came to celebrate him that day.

The program listed his quotes and encouragements. A keepsake of positivity.

I considered the funeral Jason’s last motivational speech.
And it was exactly that.

I saw Melinda a few days later.
I hugged her and tearfully exclaimed, “Thank you so much for the perfect surprise for me at the end! Everyone says it was such a highlight!”
“Jason told me to do it,’ she said, ‘There is no way I could have thought of that on my own!”
We laughed and hugged some more.

Of course he did!
I have no doubt that Jason still had his hands in the last motivational event of his life.
I bet he laughed at his great idea, fist bumped a few other Cougar fans up there, and just like me, smiled through that recessional.

Melinda shared why she chose the Fight Song and Jason’s other funeral song on Facebook. You can listen to her explanation in the video below and then be treated to the most beautiful music.

📷 And I added some photos to go along with that perfect funeral recessional.
I had to! You’ll see what I mean....

Jason.
Stil loyal, strong and true.
Go Cougs!✊🏻💙

https://vimeo.com/431063544