18/04/2026
A great reflection for Wednesday’s funeral for Jongjin Lee.
Jongjin Lee’s Funeral Service
On 15 April 2026, the funeral of Jongjin Lee took place at Leighmoor Uniting Church where his wife Heeyoung is the Minister. The church was packed with regular worshippers, family and friends, all wishing to pay their respects to a well-loved and gentle man.
The prelude piano music, and the accompaniment throughout, was played by retired VicWelsh pianist Lorna Ogilvie who also regularly plays at Leighmoor. Seung Young Chung then played Bach’s Arioso on a viola specially made for him. The Rev Dr Jong Soo Park from Camberwell UC, directed proceedings.
Jongjin’s favourite hymn In the Garden was then sung enthusiastically and concurrently in Korean and English.
The first eulogy was from his son Howon (Josh) who spoke beautifully about his father and his cherished memories with him. His heart-breaking and loving delivery greatly affected the whole assembly.
The second eulogy came from Geoff Serpell, a church elder and currently the choir’s bass section leader who had recruited Jongjin in August 2025. Choristers had immediately warmed to Jongjin with his broad smile and sunny disposition and were impressed by how quickly he had learnt new songs both in English and Welsh. He was also so self-effacing that no-one had any idea about his previous calling as a Church Minister in South Korea and how he had two degrees and an ability to read texts in Greek, Hebrew and German. Geoff also read out Lorna’s words describing Jongjin’s obvious musicality which manifested itself at Leighmoor where he was the obvious singer to cluster around when difficult passages came up.
There followed a musical tribute from Victoria Welsh Choir, led by Rushan Hewawasam who had flown back from Perth especially.
First was Cwm Rhondda (Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer) followed by Morte Criste (When I Survey the Wondrous Cross). The third hymn How Great Thou Art featured a solo by Rushan with the first verse in Korean, thanks to a late-night pronunciation tutorial from Blackburn’s accompanist, fellow Korean Janice Hayoon Noh.
The last congregational hymn was Amazing Grace before the benediction.
As the coffin, led by Jongjin’s son Howon holding a photograph of his father, was accompanied out of the church, the choir chanted Sunset Poem.
As we farewelled our esteemed chorister and friend, these words were all the more poignant:
And to the sun (and Jongjin) we all must bow
And say goodbye – but just for now!
(Photo by Glynis Rose)
