I thought I'd go to pieces as we said our final goodbyes at the Crematorium today, but somehow it didn't seem quite real and I managed to keep it all together. It was a quiet, simple ceremony - if, indeed, it can be called a ceremony. Mum, Beverly and I stood alongside the coffin, under the canopy at the Crem (Lockdown restrictions meant that, if we'd chosen to enter the chapel of rest, we would have had to sit two metres apart from each other); Gary was there too, but he gave us our space. Dad hadn't wanted a service, so we didn't need a stranger to stand over his coffin and recite a set form of words. Instead, the three of us simply voiced our feelings - my poem was as follows: You told us you were ready, you said you loved us so. It would always be too soon for us, but we had to let you go. I take some comfort from the fact that you were well prepared; Your hidden faith remained intact and so you were not scared. Know this: it was an honour and a privilege to care - You never were a burden, we wanted to be there. The Lockdown kept us far apart, in your final days; We'll keep you locked now in our heart, forever and always. You leave a family that's strong, we'll remember what you taught; We'll cherish you our whole life long, and each other we'll support. Rest now from all your worldly care, be free from all your pain. If there's a better place somewhere, please God, we'll meet again.