Bible Verses, Readings, Poems
A human life is sacred.
It is sacred in its birth,
It is sacred in its living,
And it is sacred in its dying. (Rev. Wendy McNiven)
**************************************************************************
One of the most significant Christian traditions is the saying of the Lord’s Prayer. It calls upon God in great faith, trust and confidence. Let us join together in this beautiful prayer:
(Or if you are beginning your service with this prayer you may like to introduce it : Let us establish ourselves in Gods presence as we say the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples; The Lords 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 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,
for ever and ever. Amen.
***********************************************************************
Psalm 23
King James Version (KJV)
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth 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 preparest a table before me in the presence of mine 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.
**************************************************************************
Psalm 23 NIV Version
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters.
He refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,[a]
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 overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
*************************************************************************************
“The Lord is my light and my salvation- whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life- of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalms 27:1)
******************************************************************************
Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted… “ (Jesus’ words)
***************************************************************************
John 14:1-4” (These are the words of Jesus) Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”(Jesus’ words comforting his disciples)
*************************************************************************
For when ashes are interned or scattered
Psalm 121
I lift up my eyes to the hills -
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip -
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you -
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm -
he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and evermore.
********************************************************************
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
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 kill and a time to heal;
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;
A time to throw away stones and a time to gather stones together;
A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to seek and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to throw away;
A time to tear, and a time to sew;
A time to keep silence and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate,
A time for war, and a time for peace.
*****************************************************************************
Psalms 61:1-2 Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I
***********************************************************************
Psalms 94:19 When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.
*********************************************************************
Isaiah 41:10, 13 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand … For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”
***************************************************************************
Romans 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
****************************************************************************
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
****************************************************************************
#John 6:35-40 NIV
Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."
****************************************************************************
Psalm 91:1-2 NIV
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."
*****************************************************************************
Revelation 21:6-7 NIV
He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.
*****************************************************************************
2 Corinthians 1:3–4
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. (NLT)
*****************************************************************************
Matthew 11:28
Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. (NLT)
******************************************************************************
The Traveler
Poem by James Dillet Freeman
The Traveler
(male version)
By James Dillet Freeman
He has put on invisibility.
Dear Lord, I cannot see--
But this I know, although the road
Ascends And passes from my 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 momently.
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!
***************************************************************************
The Traveler
(female version)
By James Dillet Freeman
She has put on invisibility.
Dear Lord, I cannot see--
But this I know, although the road ascends
And passes from my sight,
That there will be no night;
That You will take her gently by the hand
And lead her on Along the road of life that never ends,
And she will find it is not death but dawn.
I do not doubt that You are there as here,
And You will hold her 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 momently.
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 she and I are ever one!
******************************************************************************
From the poet John O’Donohue (I like this for an opening reading)
“Though we need to weep at your loss,
You dwell in that safe place in our hearts
Where no storm or night or pain can reach you.
Your love was like the dawn brightening our lives,
Awakening beneath the dark, a further adventure full of color.
Let us not look, for you only in memory,
Where we would grow lonely without you.
You would want us to find you in presence,
Beside us when beauty brightens,
When kindness glows and music echoes eternal tones.
May you continue to inspire us to enter each day with a generous heart.
To serve the call of courage and love
Until we see your face again
In that land where there is no more separation,
Where all the tears will be wiped from our mind,
And we will never lose you again.”
********************************************
Miss Me But Let Me Go – BY Edgar Albert Guest
When I come to the end of the road
And 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 long
And 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 take
And each must go alone;
It's all a part of the Master's plan
A step on the road to home.
When you are lonely and sick at heart
Go to the friends we know,
And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds.
Miss me, but let me go.
************************************************************************
Stop all the clocks
By W. H. Auden
Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.
Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He Is Dead,
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.
He was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last forever: I was wrong.
The stars are not wanted now: put out every one;
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood.
For nothing now can ever come to any good.
******************************************************************************
She is gone
By David Harkins
You can shed tears that she is gone
or you can smile because she has lived.
You can close your eyes and pray that she’ll come back
or you can open your eyes and see all she’s left.
Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her
or you can be full of the love you shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember her and only that she’s gone
or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
or you can do what she’d want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.
*****************************************************************
When Great Trees Fall
By Maya Angelou
When great trees fall,
rocks on distant hills shudder,
lions hunker down
in tall grasses,
and even elephants
lumber after safety.
When great trees fall in forests,
small things recoil into silence,
their senses eroded beyond fear.
When great souls die,
The air around us becomes light, rare, sterile.
We breathe, briefly.
Our eyes, briefly, see with a hurtful clarity.
Our memory, suddenly sharpened,
examines, gnaws on kind words unsaid,
promised walks never taken.
Great souls die and our reality, bound to them, takes leave of us.
Our souls, dependent upon their nurture,
now shrink, wizened.
Our minds, formed
and informed by their radiance, fall away.
We are not so much maddened
as reduced to the unutterable ignorance of dark, cold caves.
And when great souls die,
after a period peace blooms,
slowly and always irregularly.
Spaces fill with a kind of soothing electric vibration.
Our senses, restored, never to be the same, whisper to us.
They existed. They existed.
We can be. Be and be better. For they existed.
*****************************************************************
I Am There"
by Iris Hesselden
"Look for me when the tide is high
And the gulls are wheeling overhead
When the autumn wind sweeps the cloudy sky
And one by one the leaves are shed
Look for me when the trees are bare
And the stars are bright in the frosty sky
When the morning mist hangs on the air
And shorter darker days pass by.
I am there, where the river flows
And salmon leap to a silver moon
Where the insects hum and the tall grass grows
And sunlight warms the afternoon
I am there in the busy street
I take your hand in the city square
In the market place where the people meet
In your quiet room am I am there
I am the love you cannot see
And all I ask is that you look for me."
****************************************************************************
"Do Not Stand At My Grave"
by Anon, 1st century China
"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 hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there. I do not sleep."
***************************************************************************
Gods Garden–Anonymous
God looked around his garden
And found an empty place,
He then looked down upon the earth
And saw your tired face.
He put his arms around you
And lifted you to rest.
God’s garden must be beautiful
He always takes the best.
He knew that you were suffering
He knew you were in pain.
He knew that you would never
Get well on earth again.
He saw the road was getting rough
And the hills were hard to climb.
So he closed your weary eyelids
And whispered, ‘Peace be thine’.
It broke our hearts to lose you
But you didn’t go alone,
For part of us went with you
The day God called you home.
******************************************************************************************************************
For parents--
In Loving Memory On this day, somewhat bittersweet, the thought of you pains my heart. I cannot help but remember the day we seemed destined to part. I know you are looking down on us, watching from above. Yet, how I wish you were here today showing your support and love. I'm all grown up now, but I still wish you were here by my side. I need you here on this day that I am becoming a bride. However, I cannot change the past. All the memories and thoughts that are in my heart will always last. I am moving forward, but I can't help looking back. Thinking of you and how you did everything in your own special way. Because of you, I have learned to cherish each and every single day! (Insert the word Mom or Dad), I love you with all my heart. You are sadly missed and will never be forgotten.
******************************************************************************
For parents-
We would like to dedicate this ceremony to our parents. They have taught us our values, shown us how to in accordance with the Scriptures, I rise up and call you...Blessed. Rest now, in peace, knowing that I, your child, am happy and that your memory will be with me always. May the angels in our midst watch over us until we meet again. laugh, love and appreciate everything life has to offer. Their generosity love and support is unending."
******************************************************************************
A Navy Hymn
Eternal Father: The Navy Hymn
Lyrics by Reverend William Whiting and Music by Reverend John B. Dyke
Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep,
Its own appointed limits keep.
Oh hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea! Amen.
Eternal Father, lend Thy grace To
those with wings who fly thro' space,
Thro wind and storm, thro' sun and rain,
Oh bring them safely home again.
Oh Father, hear an humble prayer,
For those in peril in the air!
Amen.
Oh Trinity of love and pow'r,
Our brethren shield in danger's hour,
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect them where so e'er they go.
Thus evermore shall rise to Thee
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea! Amen.
*****************************************************************************
He is not lost our dearest love
He is not lost our dearest love,
Nor has he travelled far,
Just stepped inside home's loveliest room
And left the door ajar.
Anonymous
It is sacred in its birth,
It is sacred in its living,
And it is sacred in its dying. (Rev. Wendy McNiven)
**************************************************************************
One of the most significant Christian traditions is the saying of the Lord’s Prayer. It calls upon God in great faith, trust and confidence. Let us join together in this beautiful prayer:
(Or if you are beginning your service with this prayer you may like to introduce it : Let us establish ourselves in Gods presence as we say the prayer that Jesus taught his disciples; The Lords 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 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,
for ever and ever. Amen.
***********************************************************************
Psalm 23
King James Version (KJV)
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth 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 preparest a table before me in the presence of mine 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.
**************************************************************************
Psalm 23 NIV Version
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters.
He refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,[a]
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 overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
*************************************************************************************
“The Lord is my light and my salvation- whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life- of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalms 27:1)
******************************************************************************
Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted… “ (Jesus’ words)
***************************************************************************
John 14:1-4” (These are the words of Jesus) Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”(Jesus’ words comforting his disciples)
*************************************************************************
For when ashes are interned or scattered
Psalm 121
I lift up my eyes to the hills -
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the maker of heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot slip -
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord watches over you -
the Lord is your shade at your right hand;
the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.
The Lord will keep you from all harm -
he will watch over your life;
the Lord will watch over your coming and going
both now and evermore.
********************************************************************
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
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 kill and a time to heal;
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;
A time to throw away stones and a time to gather stones together;
A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to seek and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to throw away;
A time to tear, and a time to sew;
A time to keep silence and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate,
A time for war, and a time for peace.
*****************************************************************************
Psalms 61:1-2 Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I
***********************************************************************
Psalms 94:19 When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.
*********************************************************************
Isaiah 41:10, 13 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand … For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”
***************************************************************************
Romans 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
****************************************************************************
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
****************************************************************************
#John 6:35-40 NIV
Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day."
****************************************************************************
Psalm 91:1-2 NIV
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."
*****************************************************************************
Revelation 21:6-7 NIV
He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.
*****************************************************************************
2 Corinthians 1:3–4
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. (NLT)
*****************************************************************************
Matthew 11:28
Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. (NLT)
******************************************************************************
The Traveler
Poem by James Dillet Freeman
The Traveler
(male version)
By James Dillet Freeman
He has put on invisibility.
Dear Lord, I cannot see--
But this I know, although the road
Ascends And passes from my 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 momently.
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!
***************************************************************************
The Traveler
(female version)
By James Dillet Freeman
She has put on invisibility.
Dear Lord, I cannot see--
But this I know, although the road ascends
And passes from my sight,
That there will be no night;
That You will take her gently by the hand
And lead her on Along the road of life that never ends,
And she will find it is not death but dawn.
I do not doubt that You are there as here,
And You will hold her 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 momently.
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 she and I are ever one!
******************************************************************************
From the poet John O’Donohue (I like this for an opening reading)
“Though we need to weep at your loss,
You dwell in that safe place in our hearts
Where no storm or night or pain can reach you.
Your love was like the dawn brightening our lives,
Awakening beneath the dark, a further adventure full of color.
Let us not look, for you only in memory,
Where we would grow lonely without you.
You would want us to find you in presence,
Beside us when beauty brightens,
When kindness glows and music echoes eternal tones.
May you continue to inspire us to enter each day with a generous heart.
To serve the call of courage and love
Until we see your face again
In that land where there is no more separation,
Where all the tears will be wiped from our mind,
And we will never lose you again.”
********************************************
Miss Me But Let Me Go – BY Edgar Albert Guest
When I come to the end of the road
And 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 long
And 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 take
And each must go alone;
It's all a part of the Master's plan
A step on the road to home.
When you are lonely and sick at heart
Go to the friends we know,
And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds.
Miss me, but let me go.
************************************************************************
Stop all the clocks
By W. H. Auden
Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone,
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.
Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He Is Dead,
Put crepe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.
He was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song;
I thought that love would last forever: I was wrong.
The stars are not wanted now: put out every one;
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood.
For nothing now can ever come to any good.
******************************************************************************
She is gone
By David Harkins
You can shed tears that she is gone
or you can smile because she has lived.
You can close your eyes and pray that she’ll come back
or you can open your eyes and see all she’s left.
Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her
or you can be full of the love you shared.
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday.
You can remember her and only that she’s gone
or you can cherish her memory and let it live on.
You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back
or you can do what she’d want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.
*****************************************************************
When Great Trees Fall
By Maya Angelou
When great trees fall,
rocks on distant hills shudder,
lions hunker down
in tall grasses,
and even elephants
lumber after safety.
When great trees fall in forests,
small things recoil into silence,
their senses eroded beyond fear.
When great souls die,
The air around us becomes light, rare, sterile.
We breathe, briefly.
Our eyes, briefly, see with a hurtful clarity.
Our memory, suddenly sharpened,
examines, gnaws on kind words unsaid,
promised walks never taken.
Great souls die and our reality, bound to them, takes leave of us.
Our souls, dependent upon their nurture,
now shrink, wizened.
Our minds, formed
and informed by their radiance, fall away.
We are not so much maddened
as reduced to the unutterable ignorance of dark, cold caves.
And when great souls die,
after a period peace blooms,
slowly and always irregularly.
Spaces fill with a kind of soothing electric vibration.
Our senses, restored, never to be the same, whisper to us.
They existed. They existed.
We can be. Be and be better. For they existed.
*****************************************************************
I Am There"
by Iris Hesselden
"Look for me when the tide is high
And the gulls are wheeling overhead
When the autumn wind sweeps the cloudy sky
And one by one the leaves are shed
Look for me when the trees are bare
And the stars are bright in the frosty sky
When the morning mist hangs on the air
And shorter darker days pass by.
I am there, where the river flows
And salmon leap to a silver moon
Where the insects hum and the tall grass grows
And sunlight warms the afternoon
I am there in the busy street
I take your hand in the city square
In the market place where the people meet
In your quiet room am I am there
I am the love you cannot see
And all I ask is that you look for me."
****************************************************************************
"Do Not Stand At My Grave"
by Anon, 1st century China
"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 hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and weep;
I am not there. I do not sleep."
***************************************************************************
Gods Garden–Anonymous
God looked around his garden
And found an empty place,
He then looked down upon the earth
And saw your tired face.
He put his arms around you
And lifted you to rest.
God’s garden must be beautiful
He always takes the best.
He knew that you were suffering
He knew you were in pain.
He knew that you would never
Get well on earth again.
He saw the road was getting rough
And the hills were hard to climb.
So he closed your weary eyelids
And whispered, ‘Peace be thine’.
It broke our hearts to lose you
But you didn’t go alone,
For part of us went with you
The day God called you home.
******************************************************************************************************************
For parents--
In Loving Memory On this day, somewhat bittersweet, the thought of you pains my heart. I cannot help but remember the day we seemed destined to part. I know you are looking down on us, watching from above. Yet, how I wish you were here today showing your support and love. I'm all grown up now, but I still wish you were here by my side. I need you here on this day that I am becoming a bride. However, I cannot change the past. All the memories and thoughts that are in my heart will always last. I am moving forward, but I can't help looking back. Thinking of you and how you did everything in your own special way. Because of you, I have learned to cherish each and every single day! (Insert the word Mom or Dad), I love you with all my heart. You are sadly missed and will never be forgotten.
******************************************************************************
For parents-
We would like to dedicate this ceremony to our parents. They have taught us our values, shown us how to in accordance with the Scriptures, I rise up and call you...Blessed. Rest now, in peace, knowing that I, your child, am happy and that your memory will be with me always. May the angels in our midst watch over us until we meet again. laugh, love and appreciate everything life has to offer. Their generosity love and support is unending."
******************************************************************************
A Navy Hymn
Eternal Father: The Navy Hymn
Lyrics by Reverend William Whiting and Music by Reverend John B. Dyke
Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep,
Its own appointed limits keep.
Oh hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea! Amen.
Eternal Father, lend Thy grace To
those with wings who fly thro' space,
Thro wind and storm, thro' sun and rain,
Oh bring them safely home again.
Oh Father, hear an humble prayer,
For those in peril in the air!
Amen.
Oh Trinity of love and pow'r,
Our brethren shield in danger's hour,
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect them where so e'er they go.
Thus evermore shall rise to Thee
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea! Amen.
*****************************************************************************
He is not lost our dearest love
He is not lost our dearest love,
Nor has he travelled far,
Just stepped inside home's loveliest room
And left the door ajar.
Anonymous
******************************************************************************
Farewell My friends
It was beautiful as long as it lasted
The journey of my life.
I have no regrets whatsoever
Save the pain I'll leave behind.
Those dear hearts who love and care...
And the strings pulling at the heart and soul...
The strong arms that held me up
When my own strength let me down.
At every turning of my life I came across good friends,
Friends who stood by me,
Even when the time raced me by.
Farewell, farewell, my friends
I smile and bid you goodbye.
No, shed no tears for I need them not
All I need is your smile.
If you feel sad do think of me
For that's what I'll like when you live in the hearts
Of those you love, remember then
You never die.
Rabindranath Tagore, Bengali poet and philosopher (1861 - 1941)
*************************************************************************
His journey’s just begun
Don't think of him as gone away
his journey's just begun,
life holds so many facets
this earth is only one.
Just think of him as resting
from the sorrows and the tears
in a place of warmth and comfort
where there are no days and years.
Think how he must be wishing
that we could know today
how nothing but our sadness
can really pass away.
And think of him as living
in the hearts of those he touched...
for nothing loved is ever lost
and he was loved so much.
Ellen Brenneman
*****************************************************************************
I am free
Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free,
I'm following paths God made for me
I took his hand I heard him call
Then turned, and bid farewell to all
I could not stay another day
To laugh, to love, to sing, to play
Tasks left undone must stay that way
I found my peace... at close of play
And if my parting left a void
Then fill it with remembered joy
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss
Ah yes, these things I too will miss.
Be not burdened... deep with sorrow
I wish you sunshine of tomorrow
My life's been full I've savoured much
Good friends, good times
A loved one's touch
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief
Don't lengthen it now with grief
Lift up your hearts and share with me,
God wants me now... He set me free.
Anonymous
****************************************************************************
Afterglow
I'd like the memory of me to be a happy one.
I'd like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done.
I'd like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways,
Of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days.
I'd like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun;
Of happy memories that I leave when life is done.
Unknown
******************************************************************************
Your life was a blessing
Your memory a treasure
You are loved beyond words
And missed beyond measure
- unknown
******************************************************************************
You are with the Lord now, but you are also with us.
Even though we are separated for now, you are forever apart of our lives.
You remain in our hearts.
Thanks be to our Lord and Savior, who will reunite us all some sweet day!
******************************************************************************
Death is nothing else but going home to God, the bond of love will be unbroken for all eternity. – unknown
******************************************************************************
God has you in His keeping, I have you in my heart. – Unknown
*****************************************************************************
We've shared our lives these many years.
You've held my hand; you've held my heart.
So many blessings, so few tears -
Yet for a moment, we must part.
- Unknown
******************************************************************************
Song Lyrics can be beautiful, inspiring and comforting.
For example:
The Beetles “In My Life”
In My Life
There are places I remember
All my life, though some have changed
Some forever not for better
Some have gone and some remain
All these places have their moments
With lovers and friends I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life I've loved them all
But of all these friends and lovers
There is no one compares with you
And these memories lose their meaning
When I think of love as something new
Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them
In my life I love you more
Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them
In my life I love you more
In my life I love you more
***********************************************************************
I know wherever you have gone, it has become a better place.
***********************************************************************
Please join me now for a Collective Reading
After each line, please respond, “We will remember her”.
In the rising of the sun and in its going down,
We will remember her.
In the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter,
We will remember her.
In the opening of buds and in the rebirth of spring,
We will remember her.
In the rustling of leaves and in the beauty of autumn,
We will remember her.
When we are weary and in need of strength,
We will remember her.
When we are lost and sick at heart,
We will remember her.
When we have joys we yearn to share,
We will remember her.
So long as we live, she too, shall live.
For she is now a part of us.
We will remember her
***************************************************************************
“The reason it hurts so much to separate is because our souls are connected.
Maybe they always have been and will be.
Maybe we've lived a thousand lives before this one and in each of them we've found each other.
And maybe each time, we've been forced apart for the same reasons.
That means that this goodbye is both a goodbye for the past ten thousand years and a prelude to what will come.”
― Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook
***************************************************************************
Death takes the body. God takes the soul.
Our mind holds the memories.
Our heart keeps the love.
Our faith lets us know we will meet again.
-Nishan Panwar
*********************************************************************************
I would like to share a poem of hope and comfort
Time has taken me from you,
although not very far.
I'll be watching through the sunshine
and through the brightest star.
I'll be watching all of you,
From the heavens up above.
So take good care of each other
and carry all my love.
If you're ever wondering
if I'm there, here's where you can start.
Take a look inside yourself
deep within your heart.
I'll always be your husband, brother, cousin, and friend (Change to fit: mother, sister, daughter etc...)
So anytime you need me,
close your eyes and I’ll be there
****************************************************************************
Lighting of Remembrance Candle:
I’d like to ask ____ to step forward to light a candle of remembrance for ______.
In our time of grief, we light a flame of sharing,
the flame of ongoing life.
In this time when we search for understanding and serenity
in the face of loss, as individuals and as family and friends,
we light this flame as a sign of our quest
for truth and meaning.
We light this candle of remembrance to honor the life of _______________
******************************************************************************
“The reason it hurts so much to separate is because our souls are connected.
Maybe they always have been and will be.
Maybe we've lived a thousand lives before this one and in each of them we've found each other.
And maybe each time, we've been forced apart for the same reasons.
That means that this goodbye is both a goodbye for the past ten thousand years and a prelude to what will come.”
― Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook
Farewell My friends
It was beautiful as long as it lasted
The journey of my life.
I have no regrets whatsoever
Save the pain I'll leave behind.
Those dear hearts who love and care...
And the strings pulling at the heart and soul...
The strong arms that held me up
When my own strength let me down.
At every turning of my life I came across good friends,
Friends who stood by me,
Even when the time raced me by.
Farewell, farewell, my friends
I smile and bid you goodbye.
No, shed no tears for I need them not
All I need is your smile.
If you feel sad do think of me
For that's what I'll like when you live in the hearts
Of those you love, remember then
You never die.
Rabindranath Tagore, Bengali poet and philosopher (1861 - 1941)
*************************************************************************
His journey’s just begun
Don't think of him as gone away
his journey's just begun,
life holds so many facets
this earth is only one.
Just think of him as resting
from the sorrows and the tears
in a place of warmth and comfort
where there are no days and years.
Think how he must be wishing
that we could know today
how nothing but our sadness
can really pass away.
And think of him as living
in the hearts of those he touched...
for nothing loved is ever lost
and he was loved so much.
Ellen Brenneman
*****************************************************************************
I am free
Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free,
I'm following paths God made for me
I took his hand I heard him call
Then turned, and bid farewell to all
I could not stay another day
To laugh, to love, to sing, to play
Tasks left undone must stay that way
I found my peace... at close of play
And if my parting left a void
Then fill it with remembered joy
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss
Ah yes, these things I too will miss.
Be not burdened... deep with sorrow
I wish you sunshine of tomorrow
My life's been full I've savoured much
Good friends, good times
A loved one's touch
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief
Don't lengthen it now with grief
Lift up your hearts and share with me,
God wants me now... He set me free.
Anonymous
****************************************************************************
Afterglow
I'd like the memory of me to be a happy one.
I'd like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done.
I'd like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways,
Of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days.
I'd like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun;
Of happy memories that I leave when life is done.
Unknown
******************************************************************************
Your life was a blessing
Your memory a treasure
You are loved beyond words
And missed beyond measure
- unknown
******************************************************************************
You are with the Lord now, but you are also with us.
Even though we are separated for now, you are forever apart of our lives.
You remain in our hearts.
Thanks be to our Lord and Savior, who will reunite us all some sweet day!
******************************************************************************
Death is nothing else but going home to God, the bond of love will be unbroken for all eternity. – unknown
******************************************************************************
God has you in His keeping, I have you in my heart. – Unknown
*****************************************************************************
We've shared our lives these many years.
You've held my hand; you've held my heart.
So many blessings, so few tears -
Yet for a moment, we must part.
- Unknown
******************************************************************************
Song Lyrics can be beautiful, inspiring and comforting.
For example:
The Beetles “In My Life”
In My Life
There are places I remember
All my life, though some have changed
Some forever not for better
Some have gone and some remain
All these places have their moments
With lovers and friends I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life I've loved them all
But of all these friends and lovers
There is no one compares with you
And these memories lose their meaning
When I think of love as something new
Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them
In my life I love you more
Though I know I'll never lose affection
For people and things that went before
I know I'll often stop and think about them
In my life I love you more
In my life I love you more
***********************************************************************
I know wherever you have gone, it has become a better place.
***********************************************************************
Please join me now for a Collective Reading
After each line, please respond, “We will remember her”.
In the rising of the sun and in its going down,
We will remember her.
In the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter,
We will remember her.
In the opening of buds and in the rebirth of spring,
We will remember her.
In the rustling of leaves and in the beauty of autumn,
We will remember her.
When we are weary and in need of strength,
We will remember her.
When we are lost and sick at heart,
We will remember her.
When we have joys we yearn to share,
We will remember her.
So long as we live, she too, shall live.
For she is now a part of us.
We will remember her
***************************************************************************
“The reason it hurts so much to separate is because our souls are connected.
Maybe they always have been and will be.
Maybe we've lived a thousand lives before this one and in each of them we've found each other.
And maybe each time, we've been forced apart for the same reasons.
That means that this goodbye is both a goodbye for the past ten thousand years and a prelude to what will come.”
― Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook
***************************************************************************
Death takes the body. God takes the soul.
Our mind holds the memories.
Our heart keeps the love.
Our faith lets us know we will meet again.
-Nishan Panwar
*********************************************************************************
I would like to share a poem of hope and comfort
Time has taken me from you,
although not very far.
I'll be watching through the sunshine
and through the brightest star.
I'll be watching all of you,
From the heavens up above.
So take good care of each other
and carry all my love.
If you're ever wondering
if I'm there, here's where you can start.
Take a look inside yourself
deep within your heart.
I'll always be your husband, brother, cousin, and friend (Change to fit: mother, sister, daughter etc...)
So anytime you need me,
close your eyes and I’ll be there
****************************************************************************
Lighting of Remembrance Candle:
I’d like to ask ____ to step forward to light a candle of remembrance for ______.
In our time of grief, we light a flame of sharing,
the flame of ongoing life.
In this time when we search for understanding and serenity
in the face of loss, as individuals and as family and friends,
we light this flame as a sign of our quest
for truth and meaning.
We light this candle of remembrance to honor the life of _______________
******************************************************************************
“The reason it hurts so much to separate is because our souls are connected.
Maybe they always have been and will be.
Maybe we've lived a thousand lives before this one and in each of them we've found each other.
And maybe each time, we've been forced apart for the same reasons.
That means that this goodbye is both a goodbye for the past ten thousand years and a prelude to what will come.”
― Nicholas Sparks, The Notebook
End your ceremony with a beautiful dove release! Contact Jersey Shore Doves. Tell them I referred you and receive a special discount.
