Michael Purcell passed away in Melbourne in September at the age of 88, but had no family Down Under.
His family from Ireland were unable to get to Australia for his funeral mass given the ongoing conflict in the Gulf region, where most flights from Ireland to Oz fly through.
However, in an attempt to give Michael a loving memorial they enlisted the help of the funeral organisers to gather a crowd for his service this week.
Taking to social media earlier this week, Ian Alison, who runs Botanical alongside his wife Shirlene, said that while Michael’s family in Ireland would be watching a livestream of the service, they were struggling at the thought of Michael’s funeral taking place in an empty church.
The funeral directors explained: “Funerals are a deeply important part of Irish culture and for his family, it is difficult for them to think that no one would be there in person to bid farewell to him.
“With their permission, we are reaching out to the Melbourne community and beyond, If you are available and feel called to attend, your presence would mean so much and would be deeply appreciated by his family.”
The call went out to anyone who may be able to attend, not just Irish people in Australia, in an attempt to give Michael a funeral full of “kindness and human presence”.
And, in a powerful gesture from a community of strangers, crowds of people turned up for the service at The Wilson Chapel in Springvale, Melbourne.
Michael’s coffin at the front of the chapel was draped in an Irish flag with a black and white family photo on display.
And a crowd so large turned up that the funeral director was forced to turn people away because there wasn’t enough space.
Speaking to Australia’s 10 News First, one local said she attended the service because “everybody needs to have somebody”.
She added: “We need more kindness and compassion around, especially at this time. So, I just felt that you don’t want anybody to be on their own.”
Michael’s sister-in-law, Teresa Purcell, said she was “very nervous” about the service.
She said: “I was very nervous coming to the service today because I didn’t know what to expect. I just thought Terry and I would turn up and that would be it.”
Michael moved to Australia in 1968 but sadly lost touch with his family.
They only found him again once his death notice was published.
Botanical Funerals Company Director Shirlene Alison took to social media this afternoon to praise the “compassionate strangers” for their presence at the service.
She said: “We are grateful to be able to reunite this gentleman’s family. May he now be at peace.”
Michael’s family have left messages of condolences on his death notice.
One wrote: “Finally, even in death, Michael, you have returned to us, your family, after years of searching.
“I know Nanny would be happy to have you home. May you rest now in love and peace. Your niece Debbie Gibney.”
Another said: “Rest in peace Uncle Michael, wish I got to know you in life.”
CommunityPete, which shared the open invite to the funeral with the locals, said the church scenes showed the “power of humanity”.
A social media post said: “Thank you to all the staff at Botanical Funerals and to everyone who came today and gave up their time for a person no one knew.
“The power of humanity, the power of kindness, the power of love, the power of community.”