Home Going Service

The term “Home Going Service” was foreign to my ears. I’m familiar with the “going home” theme in funeral service that used the imagery of birds in flight. It’s a popular style in urns and caskets.  A few weeks ago, I first saw the term used on a memorial website and asked the owner about it. She explained that a homegoing service is a celebration and is common vernacular in the African American community, originating in the South.

A few days later, Whitney Houston died and I heard it everywhere. When I turned on the television Saturday, the funeral was on and I was hypnotized by her Home Going Service. Through the miracle of television I felt the power of the Home Going and was moved by the spirit of the service. Dionne Warwick did a beautiful job and what an orchestration it must have been for the funeral director, who I assume was the lady in the gold jacket.

So back to my friend Kim who runs the Elegant Memorials website. She specializes in funeral templates for Home Going services and can help you create your own style of funeral programs.

Finally, I want to tell you how much I love this picture that was used for the obituary of Rosie Lee Autmon who passed away on 2/13/12. RIP. And? Celebrate life!