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SERVICE TYPES

Sample Funeral Service Programs

1. Spiritual Funeral Program

2. Simple Non-Religous Funeral Program

3. Home Christian Funeral

4. Outline for a Memorial Service 5. Christian Religous Funeral Service

6. Service for the Scattering of Ashes

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Many people don’t know what they believe - but they don’t want to close the door on the possibility of life after death or some form of spirit. The fol-lowing is an outline of a spiritual funeral that is suitable.

The Script for the Funeral

We meet here today to celebrate/honor/pay tribute to the life of (name of the deceased). To give thanks for her life and the experiences that we shared - and to bless her (wish her well) now that our time together is over.

All the faiths of the World speak of another life after death. We do not know what it is but we can hold on to the hope, the belief or the knowl-edge of peace, rest, and fulfillment and of people being reunited in love.

For (name of the deceased), the journey is beginning, but for us, there is loss, grief and pain. Every one of us here has had our life touched - perhaps in the tiniest way, or perhaps totally transformed - by (name of deceased's) existence. We would not be here otherwise. Her life mattered.

It is important for us to acknowledge and accept that something fun-damental has changed with her going. Life will not be the same - and life should not be the same.

Members of (name of the deceased's) family will be telling us more about her life but first let us sing together (or listen to) a hymn or song that she loved.

Outline of (name of the deceased's) life and readings that they loved from Celebrant, family and friends.

Contemplation

The death of each of us is in the order of things; it follows life as surely as night follows day. We can take the Tree of Life as a symbol. The hu-man race is the trunk and branches of this tree and individual men and women are the leaves, which appear one season, flourish for a summer and then die.

But while we live we are conscious of the Tree’s flowing sap and stead-fast strength. We are a part too of the whole - the collective conscious-ness of humanity - and every one of us makes a unique contribution, be it never so small.

The physical reality of (name) has gone but the Tree remains and it is

The Spiritual Funeral Program Service

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the greater because of her life - and her death. So it shall be for us also. While we are here, our task is to live our life fully, to seek happiness and to love each other.

Example Prayers

Silent meditation can be observed instead or as well - and favorite readings or prayers inserted here.

Eternal God,We pray for ourselves and for (name of the deceased)We stand where Earth and Heaven meet,Where life is brought to deathDeliver us from grief, fear and doubt,From despair and unbelief,And bring us to the light of your presence.Grant us that peace which the world cannot giveSo that we, with (name of the deceased) may trust in youAnd find our life through you.

Lord, you renew the face of the Earth,Gather to yourself (name of the deceased) whom we have loved,And grant her those thingsWhich eye has not seen, nor ear heard,Nor the human heart imagined.

Great Father-Mother God,Watch over us this day - and all days.Give us the strength to accept what is past,To appreciate what is presentAnd to look forward to good in our future.Grant us peace; sacred moments of communion with the UniverseAnd faith - in whatever most expresses our deepest inner truth.Bless us and heal us; breathe peace and grace into our livesAmen.

The Committal

Please stand.(Name of the deceased) is safe. She is already through the barrier and

free to another reality to experience whatever joy awaits her there but, for us, it is important to say this final farewell to her body as we commit it to its natural end.

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(Name of the Deceased), we bless you (wish you well) and thank you for being a part of our life. We honor your life on Earth and we pray (wish) for your peace ever-after. We will not forget you. Go well.

Closing Words

Please sit.We have been remembering with love and gratitude a life that was

important - and honoring life itself.‘What can I do to mark this moment?’ you may ask. You can help, sup-

port and love those who remain. You can allow them to cry; to grieve; to laugh and to remember. Grief takes its own time to work itself through but it is easier with friends who allow it to be what it needs to be.

You can honor your own feelings; maybe today - maybe in six months’ time.

And you can bless each day that you live and live it to the full in honor of life itself - and of (name of the deceased). We take life so very much for granted but it is the greatest gift we have.

Blessing

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you.

The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.So then, go in peace, and the God of all peace go with you. Amen

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A Simple Non-Religious Funeral ProgramHere is a suggested structure to follow for those wishing to organize a

funeral ceremony that is dignified and formal, yet simple:

Arrival and Welcome:

Opening words, including the name of the person whose life we are honoring. Mention and include the family or partners and their loss. The person (or preferably two) leading the ceremony may introduce them-selves; outline their role; give an idea of the length of the ceremony; in-vite people to sit down and encourage people to move forward if it is a sparse gathering in a large venue; indicate anything particular that will happen during or after the ceremony.

Frame the Event:

Some action or gesture to mark the start of the ceremony, e.g. some-one lights a candle or lantern near the coffin.

Set the Mood:

Listen to a piece of music such as a favorite song or hymn ; readings of verse or favorite poetry with thoughts on the meaning and value of a life and the inevitability of death, chosen for their suitability to the person concerned (an old person dying at the end of a long and fulfilling life; a young adult killed in an accident; a child ...). The family may have suggested a favorite poem to be read. Everyone sings a secular song or a hymn together.

Tributes:

To the life of (name of the deceased) given by friends, relatives, col-leagues: Readings, stories, poems, or something a family member has written, to be read on their behalf. This can be an opportunity to quote from letters of condolence that have already come in.

Committal:

Invite people to stand; indicate it is time for the final part of the cer-emony when we commit the body of (name of the Deceased) to its natu-ral end. Offer a short silence for people’s own thoughts or prayers. If it is a crematorium, this is where curtains close or the coffin glides out of sight. At the grave-side this is the lowering of the coffin into the ground. A handful of earth, or flowers may be thrown into the grave.

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Closing Words:

Focusing people back onto their own lives, moving forward, carrying this sorrow and loss. Thanks on behalf of the family to those attending and for recent support given, where appropriate. Final piece of music to listen to, or to sing together.

Depart for Social Gathering.

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An Outline of a Christian Home Funeral Service

In the times of our forefathers, having a funeral in the home was quite com-mon. It has only been since the twentieth century that the funeral home has taken over the role, that previously was done by the family. If you would like to hold a home funeral, there is no reason not to. You may write your own service.

The following is an outline of a typical religious portion of the service in the Christian custom. A minister or a priest may lead the service, however it is not absolutely necessary. If you prefer, it can be performed by any person outside of the clergy.

A favorite hymn or song may be sung or read.

Then a suitable reading would be Psalm 23 or Psalm 121:

Minister:The Lord is my shepherd: therefore can I lack nothing. He shall feed

me in a green pasture: and lead me forth beside the waters of comfort. He shall convert my soul: and bring me forth in the paths of righteous-ness for his Name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff comfort me. Thou shalt prepare a table before me against them that trouble me: thou hast anointed my head with oil, and my cup shall be full. By thy loving-kindness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. (Psalm 23)

orI will lift up mine eyes unto the hills: from whence cometh my help.

My help cometh even from the Lord: who hath made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: and he that keepeth thee will not sleep. Behold, he that keepeth Israel: shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord himself is thy keeper: the Lord is thy defense at thy right hand; So that the sun shall not burn thee by day: neither the moon by night. The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: yea, it is even he that shall keep thy soul. The Lord shall preserve thy going out, and thy coming in: from this time forth for evermore. (Psalm 121)

The reading ends:Minister: Give him, o Lord, your peace and let your eternal light shine

upon him.Everyone says:" Amen."

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Prayer

Minister: Let us pray.O God, you know what fills our hearts as we are now gathered here

around (the name of the Deceased). Thank you for the grace and mercy you bestowed on him in life. Thank you for the goodness and joy, that you gave to all of us through him. Help us now to be still, that in our sorrow, we may know your presence. Into your hands we entrust him, who has now left this earthly life. Take him to yourself and give him life by your life. Lead us safely through darkness and danger to our home in your heavenly kingdom. Everyone: "Amen."

Hymn or Song

The Lord's Prayer

Minister: Let us say the Lord's Prayer together: Everyone: Our Father, who art in heaven. Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Final Prayer

Minister: The peace of God, that surpasses all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of Jesus Christ.

orIn peace I will lie down and sleep and in peace I will take my rest for

you Lord make me dwell in safety.

End with a Hymn or Song

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OUTLINE FOR A MEMORIAL SERVICE

WORDS OF WELCOME

Friends, we gather to grieve our loss and to comfort one another in our sorrow. We gather to give thanks for (name of the deceased) life and to surround his family with our support, our strength, and our encour-agement. Let us focus our thoughts and prayers on (deceased spouse’s name and family) in a moment of silence.

PSALM 23

The lord is my shepherd, I shall not want; he maketh me to lie down in green pastures. He leadeth me beside still waters; he resoreth my soul. He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me. Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of my enemies; thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

A READING

Those hearts that we have treasured, those lives that we have shared, Those loves that walked beside us, those friends for whom we’ve cared,Their blessing rests upon us, their life is memory,Their suffering is over, their spirit is set free.

They still give hope and comfort, they did not lose the fight,They showed us truth and goodness, they shine into our night.Remember days of gladness, remember times of joy,Remember all the moments, that grief cannot destroy.

From hearts that we have treasured, from lives that we have shared,From loves that walked beside us, from friends for whom we’ve cared,We’ve learned to treasure kindness, we’ve learned that grace provides,We’ve learned to be together, we’ve learned that love abides.

A READING FROM I CORINTHIANS 13

I may be able to speak the languages of men and even of angels, but if I

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have no love, my speech is no more than a noisy gong or a clanging bell. I may have the gift of inspired preaching; I may have all knowledge and understand all secrets; I may have all the faith needed to move moun-tains -- but if I have no love, I am nothing. I may give away everything I have, and even give up my body to be burnt -- but if I have no love, this does me no good.

Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs; love is not happy with evil, but is happy with the truth. Love never gives up; and its faith, hope and patience never fail.

Love is eternal. There are inspired messages, but they are temporary; there are gives of speaking in strange tongues but they will cease; there is knowledge, but it will pass. For our gifts of knowledge and of inspired messages are only partial; but when what is perfect comes, then what is partial will disappear.

When I was a child, my speech, feelings, and thinking were all those of a child; now that I am grown up, I have no more use for childish ways. What we see now is like a dim image in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. What I know now is only partial; then it will be complete -- as complete as God’s knowledge of me.

Meanwhile, these three remain: faith, hope and love, but the greatest of these is love.

EULOGIES:

HYMN:

“Amazing Grace”

HOMILY

In the book of Ecclesiastes the sage says:To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to uproot; a time to pull down and a time to build up; a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time for mourning and a time for dancing; a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time for silence and a time for speech;

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To everything there is a season. And today is the season for saying “good-bye” -- Goodbye to a

(Choose all that applies: (husband, a father, a father-in-law, a grandfather, a great grandfather, a

brother,uncle.) or (wife, a mother, a mother-in-law, a grandmother, a great grandmother,

sister, aunt.)

(Deceased’s name) lived a long and rich life -- even these last few months when he/she was ill, he/she still enjoyed a relatively active life, surrounded by his/her family. All of that makes this time a time to celebrate his life. Still, that doesn’t make the parting any easier. In fact, all of the good and loving memories, make the parting that much more difficult. Be easy on yourselves. Allow yourselves the time and space you need to do the grieving work you need. Relive the good and happy times with gusto and celebration. Celebrate the tears when they come. They well up out of grief and sorrow, but also out of love and cherished memories. They are the signs of the dear place that (deceased’s name) has in your hearts.

-o0o-

And so, we are left behind with memories, but certainly with lives that are fuller, and more loving and more satisfying, because we have known and loved and been loved by (deceased’s first and last name).

As we give thanks for (deceased’s name) life, we know that we must go on without him/her. How do we face life, in the midst of loss and sorrow like this? Where do we find the strength to carry on? Each of us will have to find our own way, but let me throw in one idea, that was included in a poem, found on the wall of a church in Boston. It was dated 1692, but it seems to me to describe life lived to the full -- the kind of life that we are all invited to live. The part I want to quote says:

“You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt, the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive God to be, and whatever your labours and aspira-tions, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world!”

It is still a beautiful world. And for those of us who knew and loved (deceased’s name), he is one of the reasons for this world’s beauty.

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And so, in the midst of our grief and mourning, let us give thanks for a life well lived, and for a rest finally won. And so, let us pray:

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory, forever, and ever.

PARABLE OF IMMORTALITY

Again, as we prepare to say ‘good-bye’ to (deceased’s name), I want to share something called a “Parable of Immortality”, by Henry Van Dyke:

“I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength, and I stand and watch until at last she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come down to mingle with each other. Then, someone at my side says, “There she goes!”

Gone where? Gone from my sight -- that is all. She is just as large in mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and just as able to bear her load of living freight to the place of destination. Her dimin-ished size is in me, not her. And just as the moment when someone at my side says, “There she goes!” there are other eyes watching her come-ing and other voices ready to take up the glad shout, “Here she comes!”

BENEDICTION: “AN IRISH BLESSING”

May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, the rain fall softly upon your fields. And until we meet again May Gold hold you in the hollow of his hand.

BAGPIPES

“Going Home”

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A Christian Funeral ServiceThe following is an outline of a Christian funeral service, typically per-

formed in a church. We also provide a program for a Christian funeral suit-able for your own home.

The Service begins, where possible, with organ music. Other instrumental and/or vocal music may be performed.

The the priest may say the following, or similar, words of greeting:Priest;”We are gathered here to say farewell to (name of the Deceased)

and to commit him into the hands of God

A Hymn

Priest:”In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.”

The Priest then gives the Homily - a short sermon, usually from some part of the Bible. The homily ends with the following prayer, with a prayer from the Service Book, or with an informally worded prayer.

Prayer: Priest “Lord our God, you are the source of life. In you we live and move and have our being. keep us in life and death in your love, and, by you grace, lead us to your kingdom, Through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.” Congregation: “Amen.”

The Committal:

Priest: “In the Name of God, the merciful Father, we commit the body of (the name of the Deceased) to the peace of the grave.” or “God, our Father, we entrust (name of the Deceased) into your hands.”

The priest lets three hand-fulls of earth fall onto the coffin, saying: “From dust you came, to dust you shall return. Jesus Christ, our Saviour, shall raise you up on the last day.”

orThe priest lets three hand-fulls of earth fall onto the coffin, saying:

“From dust you came, to dust you shall return. Jesus Christ, is the resur-rection and the life.”

orThe priest makes the sign of the cross or lets three hand-fulls of earth

fall onto the coffin, saying: “ You gave him life. receive him in your peace and give him, through Jesus Christ, a joyful resurrection”

Following each of the alternatives above, the priest continues: “Lord

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God, our Father in heaven, Lord God, the Son, and Saviour of the world, Lord God, the Holy Spirit, have mercy on us. At the moment of death, and on the last day, save us, merciful and gracious Lord God.”

Bible Reading:

Priest: “Let us now listen to the words of Holy Scripture that assures us of God’s safe-keeping in life and death.”

The priest reads a few texts from the Bible.

Hymn

The Funeral Prayer:

Priest: “Let us pray.”

The priest says one of the following prayers or leads an informal prayer. “Our Father in heaven, we thank you that, through Jesus Christ, you have given us the gift of eternal life. Keep us firm in the faith, that nothing can separate us from your love. When we loose someone who is dear to us, help us to receive your comfort and to share it with one another. We thank you for what you have given us through (the name of the deceased). We now entrust ourselves to you, just as we are, with our sense of loss and of guilt, When the time has come, let us depart in peace, and see you face to face, for you are the God of our salvation.” Congregation:” Amen.”

orPriest: “God, we thank you for the life that you give us. It is full of work

and of responsibility, of sorrow and joy Today we thank you for (name of the Deceased), for what he has given and received. Help us in our mourning and teach us to live for the living in the time that is still left to us. Thank you for eternal life that can give light and joy to our days and years already here on earth. God, we thank you for your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us to see that it is he who opens the gate to the life that shall never die.” or (a sung funeral prayer) “ O Lord God, who has created us and called us to come home to you Give us hearts of wisdom, that we may understand how short life is and thus receive every new day as a gift. Give us a living faith in your Son Jesus Christ, who suffered death for our sins, who rose from the grave to give us a hope and who lives for ever.

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Teach us daily to die from sin and to live according to your holy will. At the moment of our death, make us ready to depart in peace. And when the eternal day of resurrection dawns upon the graves of the earth, grant us grace to rise to eternal life.” Congregation:” Amen.”

The Lord’s Prayer

The priest may say: “Let us say the Lord’s Prayer together:”Congregation:” Our Father, who is in heaven. Let your name be kept

holy. Let your kingdom come. Let your will be done on earth as in heav-en. Give us today our bread for the day to come. And forgive us our sins as we have forgiven those who sin against us. Lead us not into tempta-tion but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom. the power and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.

Our Father, who art in heaven. Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who tres-pass against us, and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.”

Depending on where the farewell takes place, the Funeral Service ends according to Alternative A or B

The Ending, alternative A

When the farewell takes place at the cemetery, the Funeral Service in church / crematorium chapel ends in the following way:

The Blessing

The priest may say: “Receive the Lord’s blessing. The Lord bless you and watch over you. The Lord make his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you. The Lord look kindly on you and give you peace; In the Name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.” Congregation: “ Amen.”

Hymn

Recessional music

Instrumental and/or vocal music can precede the recessional music.The coffin is carried out. At the graveside, the service continues as fol-

lows:

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The Interment

The coffin is lowered into the grave. The mourners take their farewell.

Final Prayer

The priest goes to the graveside and reads the following or another final prayer. “ Give him, o Lord, your peace and let your eternal + light shine upon him.”

Congregation:” Amen.”“Let us go in the peace of the Lord.”

The Ending, alternative B

When the farewell takes place in church/crematorium chapel the Ser-vice ends in the following way:

Hymn

The Mourners Take Farewell

Final Prayer

The priest goes to the coffin and says this or another final prayer: “ Give him, o Lord, your peace and let your eternal + light shine upon him.” Congregation: “Amen.”

The Blessing

Facing the congregation, the priest may say: “Receive the Lord’s bless-ing. The Lord bless you and watch over you. The Lord make his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you. The Lord look kindly on you and give you peace; In the Name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit.” Congregation: “Amen.”

Recessional music

Instrumental and/or vocal music can precede the recessional music.

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Services For The Scattering of AshesIn the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the

ground; for out of it was thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

Genesis 3:19

The following are a variety of services that can be used in scattering the ashes.

We have come here today to scatter the ashes that are all that now remains of the body of ________________.

In a beautiful and ancient rite, we gave his/her body to the flames. Fire is the visible form of energy, which is the real stuff and true essence of all that appears in this world where we express ourselves through bodies and minds. A funeral pyre is like a candle's burning the candle's tallow disappears in the emerging form of the candle's glow. In the funeral pyre the fire of life in haste to call life forth again when life has faltered, consumed and transformed the clay that we entrusted to it, returning all that was radiant to the radiance of the Spirit that gave it form, until at last all that is left is this handful of ash and earthiness we must now commit to the earth from which it came.

These ashes were not ___________. They are merely what remains of the body s/he wore at the close of his/her sojourn here on this earth. ___________ had many bodies.

First s/he had the body of a babe, then of a girl/boy, then of a grown wom/man, and finally, this body that in the funeral pyre we have returned to the fire, to the air, to the waters of the earth and to the earth itself.

The ancients taught that there are four elements in the world and of these all that is-- everything--is composed. These four are earth, water air and fire. Modern science confirms the findings of our fathers. It divides all things into four forms; solids, liquids, gases and energy.

When you think about it, you see how true this is--we all have qualities like earth, like water, like air, like fire. There was much in ___________ that was like fire. Now all that was fire, fiery, the living fire that beat in the heart and ran in the veins, this the funeral fire has made one again with the fire that burns in the sun and stars and in every unseen, singing, dancing, fiery particle of being.

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There was much in ___________ that was like air. All that was like air--airy, light and irrepressible--the fire has carried upward into the encircling air to become the breath of life for living things.

There was much in ___________ that was like water. All that was like water, watery, the fire has diffused into the skies, to be one with the watery vapors of the air, with clouds and rain--a renewing source of life for all living things. Finally, there was that in ___________ that was like earth.

Now that which was of the earth, earthy, lies here in these few ashes. These we now return to the earth, into the cradle endlessly rocking, the womb of the world from which we were all brought forth.

(SCATTER THE ASHES ............................ASK THOSE PRESENT TO PRAY SILENTLY FOR ___________ AS YOU SCATTER THE ASHES..)

Life is a process in which we are all linked. We merge and reemerge. That which was earth returns to earth. That which was air returns to air. That which was water returns to water. That which was fire returns to fire.

But we are more than earth and water, air and fire. We are Spirit. In us is the Spirit of God and that which was Spirit returns to God who gave it.

"Neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Rom. 8:38.39)

So let us all join at this moment of leave taking in speaking aloud together, as a blessing and farewell for ___________, our Unity Prayer for Protection. ___________, The Light of God Surrounds You, The Love of God Enfolds You, The Power of God Protects You The Presence of God Watches Over You Where Ever You Are, God Is.

As a final word, you can ask all to speak the foregoing paragraph and then the minister alone can repeat;

THE TRAVELER ___________ has put on invisibility. Dear Lord, I can-not see-- But this I know, although the road ascends And passes from my

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sight, That there will be no night; That You will take him gently by the hand And lead him on Along the road of life that never ends, And he will find it is not death but dawn. I do not doubt that You are there as here, And You will hold him dear.

Our life did not begin with birth, It is not of the earth; And this that we call death, it is no more Than the opening and closing of a door-- And in Your house how many rooms must be Beyond this one where we rest mo-mently. Dear Lord, I thank You for the faith that frees, The love that knows it cannot lose its own; The love that, looking through the shadows, sees That You and he and I are ever one!

Today we scatter --------'s ashes at his beloved -----.No longer bound by this world, but a part of it. No longer tied to one place, one time, but free. Every time you feel the warm sunshine on your face, Every time you hear the rain softly falling outside your window, No matter where you are, no matter how far you travel in this big, wide open world, Remember.

Litany: When We Remember Her or Him

One: At the rising of the sun and at its going down. . .All: We will remember her.One: At the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter. . .All: We will remember her.One: At the opening of the buds and in the rebirth of spring. . .All: We will remember her.One: At the blueness of the skies and in the warmth of summer. . .All: We will remember her.One: At the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of autumn. . .All: We will remember her.One: At the beginning of the year and when it ends. . .All: We will remember her, for she is now a part of us, as we remember

her.One: When we are weary and in need of strength. . .All: We will remember her.One: When we are lost and sick at heart. . .All: We will remember her.One: When we have joy and wish to share it. . .All: We will remember her.One: When we have decisions that are difficult to make. .All: We will remember her.

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One: When we have achievements that are based on hers. . .All: We will remember her.All: For as long as we live, she too will live. . .For she is now a part of us as we remember her.

A Committal Prayer

Eternal God, you have shared with us the life of ______________ Be-fore she was ours, she was yours. For all that ________________ has given us to make us what we are, for that of her which lives and grows in each of us, and for her life that in your love will never end, we give you thanks.

As now we offer _________________back into your arms, comfort us in our loneliness, strengthen us in our weakness, and give us courage to face the future unafraid. Draw those of us who remain in this life closer to one another, make us faithful to serve one another, and give us to know that peace and joy which is eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Spiritual Committal

In placing the ashes of ___________________ in this hollowed ground, we think again of all that our dear son, brother/sister, companion and friend meant and means to us. We dedicate this simple plot, amid these natural surroundings, to every beautiful and precious memory . We lay these ashes in that gentle earth, which has been the chief support of hu-mankind, since first they walked beneath the sun. To all human beings, to all living forms, the soil has ever provided the sustenance that is the staff of life. To that good earth we now commit the ashes of our friend.

A Benediction

Now the work is left to us, the living, to carry forth the beauty and joy of that life which has been taken from us. Where we weep, Hamish would have us laugh. Where we mourn, Hamish would have us rejoice. But we know that he will forgive us our grief, for to grieve is to love, to love is to cherish, and to cherish is to give praise and thanksgiving for the life which has blessed us all.

To that life we pray courage and strength, that our frailty be forgiv-

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en, our sorrows redeemed, the wounds of our loss healed, in the sure knowledge that life moves forward and does not tarry with yesterday, and that the life before us beckons to greater glory as the only memorial that is fitting and just. Let us depart in peace and look to the morning, assured that tomorrow the sun will rise again. Life gives and life takes away: Blessed be life, above all, forever.

May the truth that makes us free, the hope that never dies and the love that casts out fear lead us forward together until the day spring breaks, and the shadows flee away. Amen.

A Benediction

Now to the One who is able to keep you from falling, and to make you stand without blemish in the presence of God's glory with rejoicing, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, maj-esty, power, and authority.

The Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses. As we forgive those who tres-pass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, For ever and ever. Amen.

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INSPIRATIONAL MATERIAL

Funeral Prayers

A Selection of Funeral Readings and Quotations

Funeral Poems

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Funeral PrayersA selection of funeral readings for services, including readings for a child's

funeral, an elderly person, a young person, and death from an accident.We also have a selection of funeral Bible readings.

1.

Lord our God, the Ruler of life and death, have mercy on us and lead us to faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, our Saviour so that, having completed our journey we may become partakers of the resurrection of the righteous, for the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2.

Lord our God, you alone can give us trust and confidence. Keep us in the faith in your Son Jesus Christ. Strengthen us in the hope that (name of the deceased) will rise again through Jesus Christ our Lord.

3.

God, we give you thanks for the life that you give us. It is wonderful and mysterious, full of work and labor, full of tears and joy and soon it is past and gone like a dream. God, we give you thanks for eternal life for your light that illumines our short days and years and fills them with eternity. God, we thank you for your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us to see that that he opens the gate to the life that never dies.

4. For A Child

Lord our God, when our life has reached its end, you call us home like children, after a day of playfulness and seriousness. We give you thanks for the rich gift with which you have entrusted us for a few happy years. Receive (name of the Deceased)as your child. Grant us to meet again in our heavenly home. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

5. For A Young Person

God, grant us to see how short our life is here on earth and how close to your eternity we live. Make us ready to take our leave when the time for us has come, whether it comes soon or later. We mourn (the name of the deceased) who left us so soon. Thank you for the years we had him among us. Grant that the life which was only begun here reach its maturity in your kingdom. Through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

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6. For An Elderly Person

Lord our God, you are our refuge from generation to generation. Year and days vary, but you remain the same.. Your mercy remains with us in life and in death. Grant us to r4member and to give thanks for what you gave us through (name of the Deceased). Receive him into your kingdom after his long working day. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

7. Death Because of An Accident

Lord Jesus Christ, you see our sadness and our loneliness, our questions, our anxiety. (Name of the Decease's) death is hard for us to understand. In our abandonment we turn to you. You have suffered the pain of death on your cross. Grant us at the cross to meet your love, which brings us from death to life.

Prayers For the Funeral – Bible ReadingsFuneral prayers allow the bereaved to remember their loved one, and to

express a range of feelings. Prayers wish the deceased to find rest, peace and life hereafter. It also provides the opportunity for loved ones to say good-bye and to provide comfort from their faith. At fully-fledged Christian funerals,often at this time the Eucharist (Communion service) is performed. This great prayer celebrates the death and resurrection of Our Lord, which lies at the heart of the Christian faith.

Ecclesiastes 3

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die:A time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;A time to break down, and a time to build up:A time to weep, and a time to laugh:A time to mourn and a time to dance:For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under

heaven.

The Lord's Prayer And Jesus taught his disciples:

Our father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, in earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that tres-

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pass against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, The power, and the glory, For ever and ever.

The Shepherd's Psalm by David.

The Lord is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.You anoint my head with oil. My cup runs over. Surely goodness and loving kindness shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Psalm 23

Psalm 67

May God be merciful to us, bless us,and cause his face to shine on us.

That your way may be known on earth,and your salvation among all nations,let the peoples praise you, God.Let all the peoples praise you.Oh let the nations be glad and sing for joy,for you will judge the peoples with equity,and govern the nations on earth.Let the peoples praise you, God.Let all the peoples praise you.The earth has yielded its increase.God, even our own God, will bless us.God will bless us.All the ends of the earth shall fear him.

Job 1: 21

Naked I came from my mother's womb,And naked I shall depart.The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;may the name of the Lord be praised.

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Prayers of Jesus

Matthew 5:1-16

Seeing the multitudes, he went up onto the mountain. When he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He opened his mouth and taught them, saying,

"Blessed are the poor in spirit,for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.Blessed are those who mourn,for they shall be comforted.Blessed are the gentle,for they shall inherit the earth.Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness,for they shall be filled.Blessed are the merciful,for they shall obtain mercy.Blessed are the pure in heart,for they shall see God.Blessed are the peacemakers,for they shall be called children of God.Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness' sake,for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all

kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its flavor, with what will it be salted? It is then good for nothing, but to be cast out and trod-den under the feet of men. You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can't be hidden. Neither do you light a lamp, and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house. Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

Luke 2:29-32

"Now you are releasing your servant, Master,according to your word, in peace;for my eyes have seen your salvation,which you have prepared before the face of all peoples;

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a light for revelation to the nations,and the glory of your people Israel."

John 11:1-4

Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, "Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick." When Jesus heard that, he said," This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby."

John 10:27-29

"My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand."

John:14: 1-7

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would

have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive

you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Fa-ther, but by me.

If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him."

John:14 15-20

"If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it

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seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you."

John 14:23

Jesus answered and said unto him, "If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him."

John 16:33

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have over-come the world."

Luke 12:27

"Now my soul is deeply troubled. Shall I pray, 'Father save me from what lies ahead?' But that is the very reason why I came! Father, bring glory and honor to your name.

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A SELECTION OF FUNERAL READINGS

Funeral Bible Readings

New Testament Readings:

John 6.35-40

Jesus said to them, 'I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and anyone who comes to me I will never drive away; for I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. This is indeed the will of my Father, that all who see the Son and believe in him may have eternal life; and I will raise them up on the last day.'

John 11.17-27

When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, some two miles away, and many of the Jews had come to Martha and Mary to console them about their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, while Mary stayed at home. Martha said to Jesus, 'Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that God will give you whatever you ask of him.' Jesus said to her, 'Your brother will rise again.' Martha said to him, 'I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the last day.' Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?' She said to him, 'Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.'

John 14.1-6

Jesus said to his disciples: 'Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And

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you know the way to the place where I am going.' Thomas said to him, 'Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?' Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'

Romans 8.31-end

What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written,

'For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.'

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 Thessalonians 4.13-end

We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died. For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will by no means precede those who have died. For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel's call and with the sound of God's trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord for ever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Revelation 21.1-7

I, John, saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy

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city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,

'See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.'

And the one who was seated on the throne said, 'See, I am making all things new.' Also he said, 'Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.' Then he said to me, 'It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life. Those who conquer will inherit these things, and I will be their God and they will be my children.'

Old Testament Readings:

Genesis 42.29-end

The sorrow you would cause me would kill me2 Samuel 1.17,23-end

David's lament for Saul and Jonathan2 Samuel 12.16-23

David's son diesJob 19.23-27

I know that my Redeemer livesIsaiah 53.1-10

The suffering servantIsaiah 61.1-3

To comfort all who mournLamentations 3.22-26,31-33

The love of the Lord never ceasesDaniel 12.1-3[5-9]

Everyone whose name shall be found written in the book

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Wisdom 2.22 - 3.5,9

The souls of the righteous are in the hand of GodWisdom 3.1-5,9

The souls of the righteous are in the hand of GodWisdom 4.8-11,13-15

Age is not length of timeEcclesiasticus 38.16-23

Do not forget, there is no coming back

Psalms

Psalm 6Psalm 23Psalm 25Psalm 27Psalm 32Psalm 38.9-endPsalm 42Psalm 90Psalm 116Psalm 118.4-endPsalm 121Psalm 130Psalm 139

Funeral Bible Readings For A Child

Psalm 84.1-4Song of Solomon 2.10-13Isaiah 49.15-16Jeremiah 1.4-8Jeremiah 31.15-17Matthew 18.1-5,10John 10.27,28 1Corinthians 13.1-end

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A Selection of Funeral Readings and Quotations

Over the years we have collected a selection of funeral readings - and me-morial service readings - that are non-religious in nature. We also have a selection of funeral bible readings for the Christian service.

Let me glide noiselessly forth;With the key of softnessunlock the locks - with a whisperSet open the doors, O soul!-Walt Whitman

We are here to add to the sum of human goodness.To prove the thing exists.And however futile each individual act of courage or generosity, self-sacrifice, or grace -it still proves the thing exists.Each act adds to the fund.-Josephine Hart

Let us cross over the river and rest under the shade of the trees. - Ernest Hemingway

I was ever a fighter, so -one fight more,the best and the last!-Robert Browning

Death, when we come to consider it closely, is the true goal of our exis-tence. I have formed during the last few years such close relations with this best and truest friend of mankind, that his image is not only no longer ter-rifying to me, but is indeed very soothing and consoling!

-Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

We get no choice.If we love, we grieve.-Thomas Lynch

Fear no more the heat o' the sun,Nor the furious winter's rages;

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Thou thy worldly task hast done,Home art gone, and ta'en thy wages.- William Shakespeare

'Say not in grief 'he is no more' but live in thankfulness that he was'-Hebrew proverb

'Everything that has a beginning has an ending. Make your peace with that and all will be well'

Buddist saying

Even death is not to be feared by one who has lived wisely.- Buddha

Just as a candle cannot burn without fire,men cannot live without a spiritual life.- Buddha

On life's journey faith is nourishment, virtuous deeds are a shelter, wis-dom is the light by day and right mindfulness is the protection by night. If a man lives a pure life, nothing can destroy him.

- Buddha

Grief remains one of the few things that has the power to silence us.

We are not content to pass away entirely from the scenes ofour delight; we would leave, if but in gratitude, a pillarand a legend.-Robert Louis Stevenson

My idea of man's chief end was to enrich the world withthings of beauty, and have a fairly good time myself whiledoing so.-Robert Louis Stevenson

O Death! thou comest when I had thee least in mind!- Unknown

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Death makes no conquest of this conqueror,For now he lives in fame though not in life.- William Shakespeare

Heaven’s calculations don’t follow man’s calculations.- Chinese proverb.

Heaven will not disappoint kind-hearted persons.- Chinese proverb.

Heaven is the place where the donkey at last catches up with the carrot.- Anonymous.

Heaven, I’m in heavenAnd my heart beats so that I can hardly speak.- Irving Berlin

Until we meet again, may GodHold you in the palm of his hand.-Irish Prayer

Death leaves a heartache no one can heal;Love leaves a memory no one can steal- Irish Tombstone

I am who I am today because I knew you.- Anonymous

Say not in grief 'he is no more' but live in thankfulness that he was' -Hebrew proverb

“Yesterday is a memory, tomorrow is a mystery and today is a gift, which is why it is called the present”

“What the caterpillar perceives is the end, to the butterfly is just the beginning.”

"Most people go to their graves, with their music still in them."-Oliver Wendell Holmes

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"Life is a sport...drink it up."- Michael Jordan

"The past is never dead, it is not even past." -William Faulkner

"To live in hearts we leave behind Is not to die."~ Hallowed Ground by Thomas Campbell

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FUNERAL POEMSThis is a selection of some poems that are suitable for reading at funerals

and memorial services. Grief in any circumstance can be difficult to articu-late. Through poetry many are able to express some of what they are feeling.

The best funeral poems are often as much about life and love as they are about death and grief. We have lived and laughed our life with the person who has died. A poem is a memorable way to share our grief. Poetry can sometimes help with the pain of the loss of our loved one..

Miss Me - But Let Me Go

When I come to the end of the roadAnd the sun has set for me,I want no rites in a gloom-filled room,Why cry for a soul set free!Miss me a little - but not for longAnd not with your head bowed low.Remember the love that we once shared,Miss me, but let me go.For this journey that we all must takeAnd each must go alone;It's all a part of the Master's planA step on the road to home.When you are lonely and sick at heartGo to the friends we know,And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds.Miss me, but let me go.- Edgar Albert Guest (1881-1959)

I Did Not Die

Do not stand at my grave and weep;I am not there, I do not sleep.I am a thousand winds that blow.I am the diamond glints on snow.I am the sunlight on ripened grain.I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning's hushI am the swift uplifting rush

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Of quiet birds in circled flight.I am the soft stars that shine at night.Do not stand at my grave and cry;I am not there, I did not die.- Anonymous

Goodbye My Friend

Though we never knowWhere life will take us,I know it's just a rideOn the wheel.And we never knowWhen death will shake usAnd we wonder howIt will feel.

So Goodbye my friend.I know I'll never see you again.But the time togetherThrough all the years,Will take away these tears.It's OK now - Goodbye my friend.

I see a lot of thingsThat make me crazy,And I guess I held on to you,You could have run awayAnd left - well maybe,But it wasn't timeAnd we both knew.

So Goodbye My friend.I know I'll never see you again.But the love you gave meThrough all the yearsWill take away these tears.I'm OK now - Goodbye my friend.- Anon

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Heaven is not reached at a single bound,But we build the ladder by which we riseFrom the lowly earth to the vaulted skies,And we mount to its summit round by round.- J.G. Holland

When The Sun Comes After Rain

When the sun comes after rainAnd the bird is in the blue,The girls go down the laneTwo by two.When the sun comes after shadowAnd the singing of the showers,The girls go up the meadow,Fair as flowers.When the eve comes dusky redAnd the moon succeeds the sun,The girls go home to bedOne by one.And when life draws to its evenAnd the day of man is past,They shall all go home to heaven,Home at last.-Robert Louis Stevenson

With flowing tears, dear cherished one,We lay thee with the dead;And flowers, which thou didst love so well,Shall wave above thy head.Sweet emblems of thy dearer self,They find a wintry tomb;And at the south wind's gentle touch,Spring forth to life and bloom.Thus, when the sun of righteousnessShall gild thy dark abode,Thy slumb'ring dust shall bloom afresh,And soar to meet thy God.- Sarah Mower

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I Know Not Why

I lift mine eyes against the sky, The clouds are weeping, so am I; I lift mine eyes again on high, The sun is smiling, so am I. Why do I smile? Why do I weep? I do not know; it lies too deep. I hear the winds of autumn sigh, They break my heart, they make me cry; I hear the birds of lovely spring, My hopes revive, I help them sing. Why do I sing? Why do I cry? It lies so deep, I know not why.- Morris Rosenfeld

Do Not Stand At My Grave and Weep

Do not stand at my grave and weep.I am not there, I do not sleep.I am a thousand winds that blow,I am the diamond glints on snow.I am the sunlight on ripened grain,I am the gentle autumn's rain.When you awaken in the morning's hush,I am the swift uplifting rushof quiet birds in circled flight.I am the stars that shine at night.Do not stand at my grave and cry,I am not there, I did not die...- Mary Frye

God Saw You Getting Tired

God saw you getting tired,When a cure was not to be.So He wrapped his arms around you,and whispered, "come to me."

You didn't deserve what you went through,

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So He gave you rest.God's garden must be beautiful,He only takes the best

And when I saw you sleeping,So peaceful and free from painI could not wish you backTo suffer that again.- Author Unknown

Remember

Remember me when I am gone away,Gone far away into the silent land;When you can no more hold me by the hand,Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.Remember me when no more day by dayYou tell me of our future that you planned:Only remember me; you understandIt will be late to counsel then or pray.Yet if you should forget me for a whileAnd afterwards remember, do not grieve:For if the darkness and corruption leaveA vestige of the thoughts that once I had,Better by far you should forget and smileThan that you should remember and be sad.- Christina Rossetti (1830-1894)

Death

Death, be not proud, though some have callèd theeMighty and dreadful, for thou art not so: For those whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow Die not, poor Death; nor yet canst thou kill me. From Rest and Sleep, which but thy picture be, Much pleasure, then from thee much more must flow; And soonest our best men with thee do go— Rest of their bones and souls' delivery! Thou'rt slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men,

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And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell; And poppy or charms can make us sleep as well And better than thy stroke. Why swell'st thou then? One short sleep past, we wake eternally, And Death shall be no more: Death, thou shalt die! - John Donne. 1573–1631

Life Is But A Stopping Place

Life is but a stopping place,A pause in what's to be,A resting place along the road,to sweet eternity.We all have different journeys. Different paths along the way,We all were meant to learn some things,but never meant to stay...Our destination is a place,Far greater than we know.For some the journey's quicker,For some the journey's slow.And when the journey finally ends,We'll claim a great reward,And find an everlasting peace,Together with the lord- Author unknown

High Flight

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earthAnd danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;Sunward I've climbed and joined the tumbling mirthof sun-split clouds - and done a hundred thingsYou have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swungHigh in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air.Up, up the long, delirious, burning blueI've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace

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Where never lark, or even eagle flew - And, while the silent lifting mind I've trodThe high untrespassed sanctity of space,Put out my hand and touched the face of God.- John Gillespie Magee, Jr, RCAF (1922-1941) A Canadian fighter pilot killed in Action in World War 2

Heaven is not reached at a single bound,But we build the ladder by which we riseFrom the lowly earth to the vaulted skies,And we mount to its summit round by round.- J.G. Holland

What Is Success?

To laugh often and much;to win the respect of the intelligent peopleand the affection of children;to earn the appreciation of honest criticsand endure the betrayal of false friends;to appreciate beauty;to find the best in others;to leave the world a bit betterwhether by a healthy child,a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition;to know that one life has breathed easierbecause you lived here.This is to have succeeded.-Ralph Waldo Emerson

In one of the stars, I shall be living.In one of them, I shall be laughing.And so it will be as if all the stars were laughingWhen you look at the sky at night.- The Little Prince, Antoine de Saint-Exupery

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All Is Well

Death is nothing at all.I have only slipped away into the next room.I am I, and you are you.Whatever we were to each other, that we still are.Call me by my old familiar name,Speak to me in the easy way which you always used.Put no difference in your tone,Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together.Play, smile, think of me and if you want to, pray for me.Let my name be ever the household word that it always was,Let it be spoken without effect,Without the trace of a shadow on it.Life means all that it ever meant.It is the same as it ever was;There is unbroken continuity.Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?I am waiting for you,For an interval,Somewhere very near,Just around the corner.All is well. - Henry Scott-Holland.

I’m Free

Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free. I’m following the path God has laid, you see. I took His hand when I heard His call. I turned my back and left it all. I could not stay another day, To laugh, to love, to work or play. Tasks left undone must stay that way, I found the peace at the close of day. If my parting has left a void, Then fill it with remembered joys. A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss, yes, these things I too will miss. Be not burdened with times of sorrow.

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I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow. My life’s been full, I savored much, Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch.Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief. Lift up your hearts, and peace to thee. God wanted me now, He set me free- by Unknown

Until We Meet Again

Each morning when we awakewe know that you are gone.And no one knows the heartacheAs we try to carry on.Our hearts still ache with sadnessand many tears still flow.What it meant to lose you,No one will ever know.Our thoughts are always with you,your place no one can fill.In life we loved you dearly,In death we love you still.There will always be a heartache,and often a silent tear,But always a precious memoryOf the days when you were here.If tears could make a staircase,And heartaches make a lane,We’d walk the path to heavenAnd bring you home again.We hold you close within our hearts,And there you will remain,To walk with us throughout our livesUntil we meet again.Our family chain is broken now,And nothing will be the same,But as God calls us one by one,The chain will link again. - by Unknown

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Memories of You

I remember everything about you, your voice, your smile, your touch, the way you walked, the way you talked, the way you looked at me, meant so much.I remember all the words you said to me, some funny, some kind, some wise, all of the things you did for me, I see now with different eyes. I remember every moment we shared, seems like only yesterday, or maybe it was eons ago, It’s really hard to say.You are gone from me now, but one thing they can’t take away, your memory resides inside my heart, and lights up my darkest days.- by Unknown

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AFTER THE FUNERAL

Funeral Thank-You Notes

Who should the family of the deceased send thank-you notes to after all the services are completed?

It is not necessary to send a thank-you note to everyone who sent you a sympathy card, or attended the funeral, or visitation.

It is proper etiquette however to acknowledge those who sent or helped the family during the time of death, and or illness. Examples would be food, flowers,or memorial gifts.

Extracts From Thank You Letters

Thank you so much for officiating at my daughter’s funeral. It was a very moving ceremony, and reflected much of her character and life. You deliv-ered the whole thing beautifully, and were so kind for allowing us to redraft the script and still include tributes quite late in the day. I will forever be grateful to you for helping me to give X such a lovely ceremony and com-mittal.

Just a note to thank you for such an appropriate and meaningful tribute to my late mother. She would have approved, I’m sure!

Thank you so much for the sensitive and caring way you conducted the memorial ceremony. The family and I were most impressed by the care you took over the preparation and the negotiations with us beforehand, and also the detailed way you scripted the whole proceedings in each case. A lot of people, including some with committed religious beliefs, commented in this way … Thank you for your kindness and thoughtfulness at this very sad time. It was a very special service for our beloved mum.

The ceremony was everything we wanted it to be: a tribute to my father’s life, celebrating the joy and humanity he brought to everyone who attended. Every word that was spoken was beautiful and wonderfully fitting.

The careful balance you struck between allowing us to have what we want-ed for the funeral, whilst at the same time, quietly and sensitively guiding us, and using your experience and wisdom to suggest what might be most fitting.

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It was comforting to have someone with us at that most sensitive and emotional time, who carefully listened to us, and who took on our wishes and views. You came to know us so closely for such a brief time, and now you will continue your journey as we will continue ours.

Thank you for the wonderful, moving service for Dad. It was so lovely to be reminded of our life with him. Many happy occasions were brought back to us. I, with so many others, felt you spoke about him as it he had been an old friend of yours. I am very grateful for having a copy of the text as your words are full of understanding and caring for a very special man - though you never knew him personally.

The day of Mum’s funeral had such a good feeling. It was a service we will remember for the rest of our lives. Your choice of readings was most appro-priate and meaningful, and we thank you for your dignified delivery of the service. I can appreciate how much hard work goes into something like this, choosing the right phrase, mentioning those important friends and relatives in her life, and incorporating those little finicky details that added up to that complete person we all knew. You did it with great professionalism, and we will have a lasting memory of the day.

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