Ceremonies by Nikki Kulin, Costa Celebrant - Funerals and End-of-Life Ceremonies
FUNERAL READINGS
She Is Gone (He Is Gone) – 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 will come back Or you can open your eyes and see all that she has left
Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her Or you can be full of the love that 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 is 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 would want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on.
Afterglow – Helen Lowrie Marshall
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.
Remember Me – Margaret Mead
To the living, I am gone, To the sorrowful, I will never return, To the angry, I was cheated, But to the happy, I am at peace, And to the faithful, I have never left.
I cannot speak, but I can listen. I cannot be seen, but I can be heard. So as you stand upon a shore gazing at a beautiful sea, As you look upon a flower and admire its simplicity, Remember me.
Remember me in your heart: Your thoughts, and your memories, Of the times we loved, The times we cried, The times we fought, The times we laughed. For if you always think of me, I will never have gone.
Let Me Go – Christina Rossetti
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 once we shared Miss me, but let me go.
For this is a journey we all must take And each must go alone. It’s all part of the master plan A step on the road to home.
When you are lonely and sick at heart Go to the friends we know. Laugh at all the things we used to do Miss me, but let me go.
To Those Whom I Love & Those Who Love Me – Anon
When I am gone, release me, let me go. I have so many things to see and do, You mustn’t tie yourself to me with too many tears, But be thankful we had so many good years.
I gave you my love, and you can only guess How much you’ve given me in happiness. I thank you for the love that you have shown, But now it is time I traveled on alone.
So grieve for me a while, if grieve you must, Then let your grief be comforted by trust. It is only for a while that we must part, So treasure the memories within your heart.
I won’t be far away for life goes on. And if you need me, call and I will come.
Though you can’t see or touch me, I will be near. And if you listen with your heart, you’ll hear, All my love around you soft and clear.
And then, when you come this way alone, I’ll greet you with a smile and a ‘Welcome Home’.
You’ve Just Walked On Ahead of Me – Joyce Grenfell
And I’ve got to understand You must release the ones you love And let go of their hand. I try and cope the best I can But I’m missing you so much If I could only see you And once more feel your touch. Yes, you’ve just walked on ahead of me Don’t worry I’ll be fine But now and then I swear I feel Your hand slip into mine.
Don’t cry for me – Anon
Don’t cry for me now I have died, for I’m still here I’m by your side, My body’s gone but my soul is here, please don’t shed another tear, I am still here I’m all around, only my body lies in the ground. I am the snowflake that kisses your nose, I am the frost, that nips your toes. I am the sun, bringing you light, I am the star, shining so bright. I am the rain, refreshing the earth, I am the laughter, I am the mirth. I am the bird, up in the sky, I am the cloud, that’s drifting by. I am the thoughts, inside your head, While I’m still there, I can’t be dead.
Don’t stand at my grave and weep – Mary Frye
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 rush 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.
Gone but not forgotten – Ellen Brenneman
Don’t think of her/him as gone away Her/His journey’s just begun, Life holds so many facets This earth is only one.
Just think of her/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 she/he must be wishing That we could know today How nothing but our sadness Can really pass away.
And think of her/him as living In the hearts of those she/he touched For nothing loved is ever lost And she/he was loved so much.
All is well – David Scott Holland
Death is nothing at all, I have only slipped into the next room I am I and you are you Whatever we were to each other, that we are still. 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, 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 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.
Pardon Me for Not Getting Up – Anon
Oh dear, if you’re reading this right now, I must have given up the ghost. I hope you can forgive me for being Such a stiff and unwelcoming host.
Just talk amongst yourself my friends, And share a toast or two. For I am sure you will remember well How I loved to drink with you.
Don’t worry about mourning me, I was never easy to offend. Feel free to share a story at my expense And we’ll have a good laugh at the end.
