About 18 months ago we buried the finest man I've ever known....my hero....my Dad.As we were at the gravesite and the priest was speaking words of comfort,a small white butterfly hovered nearby for a few seconds and then flew away.I immediately knew that that was God's way of saying "he's with Me,he's happy,he's not suffering any more".
So whether it be a note from a coal mine,a jar of peanut butter or a white butterfly,it means the same thing,IMO. I do hope that the families find peace and am happy that they know that their loved ones were thinking of them at those difficult moments and that they did not suffer.
Reading both your stories reminds me of mine - my beloved Grandmother (Busia) passed away on 12-17-05. I was extremely upset and stayed up a lot of the night crying, and at one point I prayed that the Lord would just give me a sign to know that she was with Him in heaven. The next day, on my way to a cousin's house, while I was driving through an industrial park, a roadrunner crossed the road. I knew it was my sign! My Busia was an avid birdwatcher and I have NEVER seen a roadrunner in that area before, and I feel that I never will again. I just said: "Thank you, God!" because he answered my prayer and I know she is with Him!
He is truly amazing!