Van Morrison says last farewell to mother near old east Belfast home

Van Morrison's mother has been laid to rest after a funeral in east Belfast.
Van Morrison (second right) watches as his mother Violet's coffin is removed from St Donard's Parish Church, Bloomfield, in east BelfastVan Morrison (second right) watches as his mother Violet's coffin is removed from St Donard's Parish Church, Bloomfield, in east Belfast
Van Morrison (second right) watches as his mother Violet's coffin is removed from St Donard's Parish Church, Bloomfield, in east Belfast

The service for Violet Morrison – who had been a singer and dancer in her youth – was held in St Donard’s Church of Ireland in east Belfast, just a few hundred yards from her old home in Hyndford Street, where Van was born.

She died on Tuesday, May 31 at a Holywood nursing home.

The order of service for the funeral on Monday lists musical tributes in the form of some of Van Morrison’s own songs, namely “On Hyndford Street” and “Joyous Sound”.

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The service – the address for which was given by Canon Ken Higgins – also saw a famous reading of several verses from the Book of Revelation, including the lines: “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.

“‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away’.”

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