I got to know Tracey and Danny at the time when they were preparing to get married which they did here in St Wilfrid's and renewed the acquaintanceship at the time of the boys baptisms, on of which I did and the other was by my colleague, Fr. Bill. Visiting their home was always fun and often unpredictable. I have seen many strange things in the gardens of Bognor Regis. All manners of trees shrubs and plants, strange statues and even the odd fridge or old gas stove , but Danny and Tracey's was the only one where I found a full size boxing ring and when Danny came into the room I soon discovered that there was a full size boxer to go with it; a big tough friendly and welcoming giant who never once made me at all nervous - there was no feeling of intimidation whatsoever. All I got was a very warm welcome and a genuine attempt to sell me a pick up truck.

I soon also found that, although keen to do the right thing by themselves and by the boys, with the best will in the world it could not be said that Tracey and Danny were deeply religious people. The fact that there are no hymns in today's service is because Tracey didn't want any because Danny wouldn't have liked it because he probably didn't know any hymns anyway. The music we have played he would have known and loved and that is important: important for us to know.

But I chose that story from St. John's gospel to read because it gives all of us hope - even those of us who do consider ourselves not to be very religious: those of us who don't know a lot about the church or a lot of hymns. Lazarus was a friend of Jesus, we don't know any more about him than that; he certainly wasn't one of Jesus 12 closest friends or a member of his closest entourage but we do know that Jesus was sad; that Jesus wept when his friend Lazarus died. The Bible doesn't tell us why Jesus loved Lazarus so much but when you think of the qualities in Danny Hall's young life that have brought you all here together today; things like determination; courage; staying power strength and reliability: kindness, generosity, supportiveness and a huge sense of humour - added to a tender and loving care for his growing family - these are just a few of the qualities that Jesus may well have found in Lazarus' life to commend him to him in a way that I am sure he has noticed in Danny too.

Perhaps Danny was a lot nearer to God and to the Lord Jesus Christ than he even realized or would care to realize, because of the qualities and the love that he showed in his all too short life. And if you tell me well, he wasn't always an angel, I will reply, I don't suppose Lazarus was either. And Christians have to believe that the gift of God to Lazarus is the same as it is for Danny today different life, new life with him for ever. And we believe that this can be our destiny too as we try to learn from the very best of human lives; that of Jesus himself and from the best qualities of fine men and women that we encounter upon life's way. I think you are all here today because you feel that Danny was one such fine young man. May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

Fr. Roger Calder