Today we traveled with the Ortons to Darmstadt (2.5 hours) to attend the funeral of Rudolf Villwock. We recently learned that Elder Orton was his missionary companion in Austria and John was his brother, Werner’s companion in Switzerland. We visited Werner when we were here in Germany last year.
We talked with the Ortons about going together to visit the brothers and their families in Darmstadt. Then we received word this week that Rudi died suddenly, while out jogging in the very cemetery where he was buried today. We went to pay our respects.
Both Rudi and Werner have been faithful church leaders in this area. There were about 300 people who came to the funeral here in the Darmstadt Stake Center.
The family returned after the burial for a delicious meal provided by the Relief Society sisters.
Here we are with Werner’s family:
After a really beautiful service, we all drove to the Darmstadt Cemetery, about 15 minutes away. We met at the entrance. A group of men dressed in black robes and caps were there with the coffin. We followed them in a procession through the cemetery to Rudi’s final resting place.
The cemetery was beautiful, like a park, filled with old stately trees and beautifully kept gravesites.
When we reached the grave, the men reverently lowered the casket into the ground with precision and grace.
Then they, in unison, removed their white gloves and their black caps, and they quietly marched away. Everyone was reverent and quiet. It was so respectful.
Next the guests filed by the grave, family first, then friends. Each added flowers to the site or tossed some petals into the grave. There was also a wooden bucket and a small shovel for those who wanted to put some dirt in the grave.
The Ortons are delightful. We were happy to be here together today.
I LOVE cemeteries and the peace and beauty in these sacred end places. Here are a few of the beautiful grave sites we passed as we left the cemetery.
Our Frankfurt Germany Mission 