Abbeville Fire Department answers call from grieving family member who needed pallbearers 10 minutes before funeral

The call came into the Abbeville Fire Department around 9:50 a.m. on a Tuesday. On the other end of the line was a woman crying. She was in a bind, and she needed the help of the fire department. They delivered.
Sonia Perez Cessac was in Abbeville for the funeral of her mother-in-law, Patricia Cessac. She is married to Phillip, one of Patricia’s three sons.
Darby and Greene Funeral Home and Cremation Service in New Iberia passed Mrs. Cessac through St. Theresa Church in Abbeville and then buried her at St. Paul’s Cemetery in Abbeville.
Before the church service began, Sonia noticed everyone was elderly and could not carry a coffin. There were not enough for pallbearers.
Sonia grew up in Shiner, Texas, a small town two hours west of Houston. She grew up watching the Shiner Fire Department called upon to help with everything. Why not a funeral?
Sonia called the Abbeville Fire Department, asking for volunteers to be pallbearers for Patricia Cessac funeral
Assistant fire chief Kelly Mire took the call from Sonia, and he did not hesitate giving her an answer. But, first, he asked how many she needed, and Sonia said at least four.
At the time of the phone call, the firemen were training outside in the 90-degree heat. The assistant chief walked outside and asked for volunteers. All 10 firemen on the shift went to St. Theresa Church before the service began.
After the church service, four firemen in a fire truck followed the prosession to St. Paul’s Cemetery. The firemen removed the coffin from the Hearse and carried it to the gravesite.
“They stayed for the entire service,” said Sonia Cessac. “They did not have to do that. We were so grateful for what they did. I want to thank the Abbeville Fire Department personally.”
Fire Chief Jude Mire said he has been a fireman for 30-plus years, and this is the first time the Abbeville Fire Department has been called to be pallbearers for a funeral, not dealing with a firefighter or a former fireman.
‘The fire department is here to help the community,” said Chief Mire. “I was more than happy to help.”
The firemen stayed for a total of just under 90 minutes.
“It was a first in my career, but it was also an honor to do it,” said assistant chief Kelly Mire.
Fr. Francois Sainte Marie officiated the services, and he recongized the fire department and thanked them for helping.
Darby and Greene Funeral Home and Cremation Service in New Iberia, who handled the funeral, gave the Abbeville Fire Department a shoutout.
“We would like to extend a special thank you to the Abbeville Fire Department. They are true examples of love, compassion, kindness and community. When they learned that a member of their community was in need, they went above and beyond to let them know they were not alone. In addition, all department levels were present to aid the Cessac family in saying goodbye to their loved one. May God bless you all.”
Patricia, 61, is survived by her husband, Brent Cessac; sons, Justin Cessac, Phillip Cessac, and Nathan Cessac; mother, Mary Landry; and a grandchild, Salvador Cessac.