‘Thank you for the music’ ABBA songs for funeral of talented Laois teen

The funeral gathering for a 16 year old Laois girl who has died from meningitis, has heard how the talented teen was rehearsing for two school musicals.

Beautiful music appropriately marked the Requiem Mass for Emily Culhane at St Peter & Paul’s Church in Portlaoise on Tuesday, January 14.

Emily from Boley, Abbeyleix, died on Sunday, January 5, the only daughter of Sean and Bernie and only sibling to her brother Sam. Large crowds attended her wake in Keegan's Funeral Home Portlaoise and the Requiem Mass.

A Transition Year student at Scoil Chríost Rí Portlaoise, and formerly of Heywood Community School, she also attended stage school and took piano lessons. She had been excitedly preparing to perform in Mamma Mia, and in the CBS’s production of Grease.

Monsignor John Byrne, PP described “a sense of shock and bewilderment at the death of “a beautiful 16 year old”.

“In a very short time she had become a bright spark, a radiant light in Scoil Chríost Rí, using her voice and acting talent to light up the rehearsals for the upcoming musicals Mamma Mia and Grease. She was loving it. 

“Emily lived ‘I have a dream, a song to sing’. A song that speaks of hope and carrying on through life’s trials. Indeed the song ‘Slipping Through My Fingers’ reminds us how quickly time passes and how precious every moment is.

“Words can barely express the depths of grief felt in this church right now. Emily was full of promise and hope. It’s difficult to grasp that her bright spirit is no longer physically among us. Meningitis came on so suddenly, unexpectedly. Our hearts break at the thoughts of one so young, so radiant, so talented has been taken from us. Her gentle smile and caring nature were gifts to each person she encountered. 

“What would have been in store for Emily was she not taken so early in life? Would she go on to develop her singing and acting and perhaps become famous? With her caring nature she would have been a great mother. With her talent and personality, the future looked so bright.

“Emily was a 16 year old ray of light whose time was far too brief. Our thoughts and prayers rest especially with her loving parents Sean and Bernie and her brother Sam, her aunties and uncles, cousins, classmates and the community of Chríost Rí and all who are grieving here this day. 

“Emily, we say thank you for the music, and while we grieve we also thank God for your life,” Monsignor Byrne said. 

Emily’s uncle Declan spoke on behalf of the family thanking everybody for their support, first reading the poem Togetherness.

“The Moran and Culhane families at this moment, we’re unable to find the words to convey and describe our love for Emily. The joy she gave us, and our gratitude for having Emily in our lives. Emily we carry your heart, we carry it in our hearts.

“The staff of Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise and of Beaumont Hospital Dublin, your kindness, professionalism and compassion gave us comfort. The dignity and respect shown to Emily will stay with us forever. Your dedication reminds us of the humanity and care that define your work,” he said.

Symbols of Emily’s too short life laid on her coffin included a photo montage of Emily with her beloved friends, a Pink Lady jacket that she was about to wear in Mamma Mia, a piece of piano sheet music as she loved to play to sing. A Shein bag represented her love of make-up, nails, fashion and jewellery. 

The Requiem Mass had heartbreakingly lovely songs by Laois singer  Heather Fogarty, including Somewhere Over The Rainbow and I Have A Dream, while one of her school friends bravely sang a beautiful song for her called Said Emily.

Her schoolfriends read the Prayers of the Faithful, her godmother and aunt did readings, and her cousins had carried the bread and wine. A slide show showed pictures of Emily growing up, always smiling and happy.

As the Mass ended, Monsignor Byrne asked all to show their appreciation of Emily, leading a final round of applause for the beloved teenager.

Cremation followed afterwards in Newlands Cross Crematorium.