The “Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan” is traditionally a North American ceremony, but its origins go back in Scottish history. The Scots have always had strong Christian convictions, whether it be Catholic or Protestant, and have always observed Sunday as the Lords Day, a day of rest and worship. After the 1745 rebellion and during the ban on wearing tartan, the head of the family would bring a small piece of tartan to church and during the long prayer he would pinch the small piece of cloth between thumb and forefinger remembering the members of his family that had gone before. And so, the idea of clan/family/kin was kept alive, and the tartan association with the clan was strengthened.
Burquitlam Funeral Home, management and staff were well represented as the sun flooded South Burnaby United Church on Sunday April 18th, the date of the annual Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan. With the Reverend Ian Macdonald presiding, the McCormick tartan shoulder
plaids hung on seven standards and were piped into the church byPiper Joe McDonald and placed at the altar with the 30 other tartanscollected from the congregation. Readings were done by Randy McCormick and the Venerable Al Hosking. The 23rd Psalm, shepherds version, written in the old Scots Doric was offered. Joe McDonald on pipes and Harry Stothers on organ gave a moving rendition of Highland Cathedral. The service ended with the singing of Amazing Grace and the tartans were piped out to the tune Randy’s Reel, a tune written especially to honour Mr. McCormick.