As people enter they are invited to carefully write a message on the sky lantern
We meet here today to pay tribute to (              )  to give thanks for her life and for the experiences that you shared.  We meet here at (include if the ceremony is at a significant spot- share memory_

Many faiths of the world speak of another life after death. and believe that when our physical bodies no longer exist in this plane, that our souls carry on, in some way, in some realm.  They can hold on to the hope of peace, rest, fulfillment, and of people being reunited in love. And (     ) has been reunited in love. (Loved one who has already passed)  was there to take her hand to lead her to a place of unconditional love and peace.

On another note, it is a scientific fact that we are made of energy and no energy gets created in the universe, and none is destroyed.

In death, the collection of atoms of which our physical bodies are composed will always be around, just dispersed and organized differently.  Therefore, (     )’s "light," every vibration, every Btu of heat, every wave of every particle that was her remains with you in this world, just in different forms.

This excerpt from "Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep" by Mary Elizabeth Frye explains that beautifully.
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 glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you wake in the morning hush,
I am the swift, uplifting rush.
Of quiet birds in circling flight,
I am the soft starlight at night.

But, regardless of our beliefs, there is loss, grief, and pain with the physical passing of someone we loved.  Every one of you here has had your life touched by (     )’s existence, perhaps in the tiniest way or perhaps totally transformed. You would not be here otherwise. Her life mattered.

It is important for us to acknowledge and accept that something fundamental has changed with (     )’s passing. Life will not be the same and life should not be exactly the same. Death is a very personal matter, for those who know it, through the loss of someone close to them. But we are all concerned, directly or indirectly, with the death of any individual. For, we are all members of one human community and no one of us is independent or separate. Though some of the connections are strong and some are tenuous, each of us is joined to all others in bonds of kinship, love, or friendship. No one who encountered (     ) failed to be warmed by her capacity for friendship, her infectious humor, her strong will, her perseverance and her message of hope. And no one who knows of her passing will remain untouched by it. In her passing she also carried a message - we are reminded of the power of addiction.  And this was a tragic loss. When we are emotionally involved in the lives of others we will grieve at our loss. Grief is an inevitable part of the life of any normal person. Life means grief and love means grief - in time. The only way to avoid grief is not to live. In the normal course of grief there will be feelings of pain, disbelief, and loneliness. There may also be feelings which seem irrational and overwhelming in their intensity.
To facilitate grief’s work (and it is work) let there be tears; tears are not a sign of weakness. And let there be talk; talk about (     )'s life and talk about her death. This helps in accepting the reality of the tragedy and grief’s work is being done. It helps to carry her message.

We will have a few people speak during this service and encourage everyone to continue to share their own stories.

First (      ) will share.

Thank you (    ) . If anyone else would like to share, please do so now.  You may come up front or share from where you are seated/standing
(others share)

When death occurs we know that those whom we have lost are now at peace. Be thankful for the relationship you had with (     ). Nothing can change the experiences that you shared with her. The past is secure and cannot be changed by time or circumstance.
Be thankful that (     ) was, and still is, a part of your lives. She lives on through her daughter, her family, and all of her friends.  She lives on in the hearts and memories of those who knew and loved her.

I would like to share the poem
Remember Me
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 the shore
Gazing at the beautiful sea, remember me
As you look in awe at a mighty forest
And in its grand majesty, remember me
Remember me in your hearts,
In your thoughts, and the memories of the
Times we loved, the times we cried,
the battle we fought and the times we laughed
For if you always think of me,
I will never have gone.

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, support, 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 and family who allow it to be what it needs to be.

You can honor your own feelings; maybe today or maybe in six month's time. In honor of (     )'s life, you can cherish each day that you live, and live life to the fullest.

You can be of service to others and carry a message of hope.  At times we take life for granted, but it is the greatest gift we have.

Today we are releasing a sky lantern to carry messages and memories  of love to (     ). Please take a moment to acknowledge the thoughts, wishes and memories you wish to send.

Please join me in saying the Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change
The courage to change the things I can,
and the Wisdom to know the difference.

Friends and family, that concludes our service for (     ).

You are invited to join friends and family at (         )