ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

THE STATE FUNERAL
© Frank Daniel Canowindra NSW 2.2.2000

Uncle Harry died six weeks ago – folks were most upset;
Aunt Mary shed a tear or two and said ‘lest we forget’.
Well-known throughout the village, uncle had the town’s respect.
Isaac – (offering sympathy) - had some money to collect.

Mary quickly spread the word – ‘funds were less than numeral’
Harry would be ‘laid to rest - having a State Funeral’.
As Harry served in World War Two – folks asked ‘what had he done?’
‘another unsung hero?’ – ‘one more proud Australian son?’

‘God bless his soul’ cried some, while those who didn’t give a damn
confessed to Harry’s modesty – ‘such silence of the lamb’ –
The Mayor, his Honour, most concerned, wiped all the Councils debts;
the Bookie vowed he would forego all Harry’s losing bets.

The ‘Funeral bloke’, quite boastful, said from him there’d be no charge.
Aunt Mary was amazed to find charity came so large.
Vicar vowed a service full of dignity and splendour
St. Andrews copped a face-lift fit for royalty, such grandeur

The Telegraph sent journalists along to write the news
whilst WIN sent Peter Harvey and two bustling camera crews.
They asked of Harry’s exploits; of the enemy he killed;
His death caused great excitement, the town was more than thrilled.

Poor old Aunt was furious; such fussin’ nearly b’iled her.
Feeling helpless as she did, their questioning had riled her
“I don’t know what you talk of, your words are far from funny
he’s going free of charge, ’cause we haven’t any money!

Another great poem Frank and I can hear your voice which makes it even better.

Heather

One of the jobs that fell to the local policeman , and I have done it often enough, is to arrange what was called a destitute burial. For someone who had no relatives or money to bury them.
In the old days it was called a pauper's funeral. And the Govt pays for it.

It's a pretty sad state of affairs that some folk ended up being buried with just the undertaker and a police officer to see them off.

I think D.O.C.S. arranges these things now.

I remember one elderly lady who died in a nursing home without money or relatives, when the staff found out that she was destined for a Govt paid pauper's grave, they took the hat around and paid for her burial out of their own pockets.

G/day Frank,
It can be even worse if the poor devil actually has a few bits and pieces, the rellies flock like vultures to see what they can grab.
It probably doesn't always happen, but I've seen it often enough.

Terry