Professor Graham Runnals 1937 - 2008
We said goodbye to my uncle today.

He was a remarkable man. An academic of note in the field of French Medieval Drama with many publications and awards to his credit, he was unfailingly modest, kind, generous and always of good humour. He enjoyed sports, particularly tennis, ran a marathon, and walked in the hills near Edinburgh, which made the motor neurone disease that struck him down particularly cruel. Most importantly he was als a family man, married for over forty years with two daughters and one grandchild.

The funeral service was a humanist one, celebrating his life and achievements, marking his passing and acknowledging that he lives on in the memories of his family and friends. We listened to tributes, poetry and the music of Wagner, one of his particular favourites. There were tears, but also more positive emotions of the life that carries on.

Another of my uncle's passions was fine food and wine, and we marked that with a wake where wine was drunk and a simple meal of bread, cheese, olives and cured meats eaten. It was also a chance to renew family relationships and mark the passage of time.