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Jade’s funeral took place yesterday. I booked rooms for the night before at the local Premier Inn in the Scottish town where Jade lived for her brother and his wife, her brother’s best friend, and me. My brother, sister and nephew also travelled to the funeral (my sister from France) and they stayed nearby. We all had a lovely meal that evening at the next door Toby Carvery. I actually felt remarkably calm that night. I knew that many adoptive parents that I had come to know through the forums were thinking about us and praying for us and lighting candles. I felt the love and support. The church service was yesterday at 10.30 am. Family and close friends arrived early. The church is on Jade’s housing estate. The Church of Scotland minister, known to Jade as ‘The Reverend’, conducted the service. The church is a modern building with beautiful modern stained glass windows. Jade’s coffin at the front looked beautiful. It was a light coloured oak coffin with brass handles and tassels and a beautiful bouquet of pink flowers lying on top. The service could not have been more personalised or beautiful. We had a hymn and recordings of songs for Jade, prayers and eulogies. The minister spoke about her life, her love of animals, how she loved being a carer in a nursing home, and what a unique spirit she was, with such a wicked sense of humour. The service was well attended by local people who had known Jade. (Local people had left flowers for her and toys for dogs in memory of Jade on railings at the bottom of her block of flats). I was also delighted that two adoptive parents came from Scotland and the south of England, parents that I had come to know through the forums, to be with us on the day. I found it very emotional and nearly everyone shed a tear. Even the minister at times was struggling. We then moved on to the cemetery for the burial. The cemetery is run by the council in a quiet, tranquil spot. It is extremely well looked after and it is clear that many people regularly go there to spend time with loved ones. We were blessed with the weather. Only two days before we had storms and high winds, but yesterday turned out to be a beautiful day and the sun shone above us. The short ceremony was moving and family members and friends helped lower her coffin into the ground. Afterwards we went for refreshments to the local British Legion Club. I then had the opportunity to meet and talk to my fellow adoptive parents and now friends. When I got home I went to bed very early. We now have the task of clearing the council flat. I shall be helped by her boyfriend and best friend. We shall also be choosing a headstone for the grave and Jade’s brother and sister in law will help us do this. We hope it will be in place for her birthday in January. There is to be a serious medical case review of her care and I am taking part in this. I am glad that Jade is now at peace and no longer suffering. She lighted up my life for 26 years and I loved her so much and she loved me. I am seeking counselling for myself as it was a terrible experience to see her rapid physical and mental decline and then the traumatic discovery of her dead body. I have taken in her traumatised dogs and am hoping it will be possible to care for them. (I have my own 2 dogs too). I shall have to see how it goes. The dogs have actually done very well the first week.