Murdoch MacKenzie

1938 - 2015

It is with great sadness we have to report that Murdoch passed away at 9 pm on Tuesday 3rd February 2015 in Edinburgh after an 18-month struggle with illness.

He died in hospital with Anne and their three children at his bedside.

This website will remain as a memorial to Murdoch's life and his work in Britain and in India.

The Funeral Service was held in the Lorimer Chapel of the Warriston Crematorium in Edinburgh on Thursday 12th February 2015 at 11 am. The Order of Service is given on a separate page (click here).

The Thanksgiving Service was held at Greyfriars Kirk, Edinburgh on Thursday 12th February 2015 at 2 pm. The Order of Service is given on a separate page (click here). 

An audio recording of the full 80-minute service can be downloaded from here.

Both services were conducted by Rev Fiona Bennett, Minister of Augustine United Church.

Each of Murdoch's children spoke at these services (click here).

There was a service in the Church of the Holy Cross in Milton Keynes at the same time as the one in Edinburgh. There is to be a service in St Andrew’s Kirk, Chennai on 23rd February, Murdoch’s birthday.

Following the Thanksgiving Service in Edinburgh, there were refreshments in the nearby Augustine United Church, to which all were welcome. Dark clothes were optional as it was a service of thanksgiving and celebration. There was a retiring collection in lieu of flowers.

The collection and donations in Murdoch's memory will be divided between Asha, a project for the differently abled at St Andrew’s Church, Chennai (formerly Madras), the Augustine United Church roof fund and Christian Aid. Donations can be sent to Augustine United Church, George IV bridge, Edinburgh, EH1 1EL and marked 'For the attention of the Administrator, Rachel Fitzgerald', and the Treasurer will then divide and forward the gifts.

Afterwards, Anne wrote:

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Thursday went wonderfully well. The morning was blue skies and sunshine all the way and the service at the crematorium was a quiet and peaceful affair. Murdoch’s cousin, who is a crofter in Skye, was one of the coffin bearers. Our grandson, Benjo, was another and our granddaughter, Hana, read one of the lessons so it was good that they both played a part in their granddad’s funeral.

In the afternoon at Greyfriars Kirk there were more than 350 folk gathered to remember Murdoch and to celebrate the Gospel, which is what Murdoch wanted. The music was beautiful, our three children spoke and paid lovely tributes to their Dad, and others spoke well also. Folk came from all phases of our ministry and from all over the country. 

They were very generous in their tributes to Murdoch and in their contributions for three projects, each of which may receive in excess of £800. A friend in Connel recorded the Skye Boat Song played by a lone piper and that was played at the very end of the Thanksgiving Service. 

At the refreshments in Augustine United Church we had a chance to talk and to reminisce. 

So it was a good day and we like to think that Murdoch is happy with it all.