In this instance there was no service at the funeral parlor so this is a bit longer that the usual graveside service.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4
We have gathered here to remember the life of ( ) and send her to her resting place. We come together in grief, acknowledging our human loss. We come together in hope that we may carry on with the inspiration and gifts she gave us. We come together in love that we may support each other.
Psalm 121 Song of Ascents
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
2 My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.
3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.
6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
8 The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
God of compassion, be especially with ( )’s family who all mourn today. Surround them with your love and peace. Help them today and in all in the days ahead.
God, we remember all the good things we shared with ( ) which are now part of our history. We thank you for her gifts and skills and the way they were used to benefit her family and her community. We know she has been significant in the lives of all of us and that our lives were blessed by her presence. So now, in silence, let us each make our own thanksgiving to God for all that she has meant to us. (Pause)
May we continue to live our lives inspired by our memories.
( ), we say to you in the midst of our sorrow and loss that we are grateful that you lived your life among us. We are grateful for your quiet gentleness and for your firm resolve to live life and to die on your own terms. We take joy and relief in knowing that your suffering has ended. We ask you now for forgiveness for any of the ways we may have hurt you in this life – – and we forgive you for any of the ways you may have hurt us.
Please join me now in remembering ( ) by responding with “we will remember you” at each pause.
( ), there is sadness in our hearts as we say goodbye, but there is profound gratitude for your life, and you will never be forgotten.
When we are weary and in need of strength, When we are lost and sick at heart
Response: We will remember you.
When we have a joy we crave to share, When we have decisions that are hard to make
Response: We will remember you.
At the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter, At the opening of the buds and in the rebirth of spring
Response: We will remember you.
At the blueness of the skies and in the warmth of summer, At the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of autumn
Response: We will remember you.
As long as we live, you too will live
For you are a part of us,
Response: We will remember you.
Eternal God. We pray for ourselves and for ( )
We stand where Heaven and Earth meet,
Where life is brought to death
Deliver 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 give
So that we, with ( ) , may trust in you
And find our life through you.
Lord, you renew the face of the Earth,
Gather to yourself ( ) , whom we have loved,
And grant her those things
Which 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 present
And to look forward to good in our future.
Grant us peace; sacred moments of communion with the Universe
And faith - in whatever most expresses our deepest inner truth.
Bless us and heal us; breathe peace and grace into our lives
Love and light on this your final journey.
God of compassion, be especially with ( ) ’s family who all mourn today. Surround them with your love and peace. Help them all in the days ahead and enable them to trust in your goodness and mercy, through Jesus Christ our Lord.’
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 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.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Thank you ( ) for all you were and all that you gave. We release you now into the Everlasting Arms. May your passage be swift. May you know Wholeness and Peace now and through all eternity
Peace be with you.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4
We have gathered here to remember the life of ( ) and send her to her resting place. We come together in grief, acknowledging our human loss. We come together in hope that we may carry on with the inspiration and gifts she gave us. We come together in love that we may support each other.
Psalm 121 Song of Ascents
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.
2 My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.
3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5 The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand.
6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
8 The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.
God of compassion, be especially with ( )’s family who all mourn today. Surround them with your love and peace. Help them today and in all in the days ahead.
God, we remember all the good things we shared with ( ) which are now part of our history. We thank you for her gifts and skills and the way they were used to benefit her family and her community. We know she has been significant in the lives of all of us and that our lives were blessed by her presence. So now, in silence, let us each make our own thanksgiving to God for all that she has meant to us. (Pause)
May we continue to live our lives inspired by our memories.
( ), we say to you in the midst of our sorrow and loss that we are grateful that you lived your life among us. We are grateful for your quiet gentleness and for your firm resolve to live life and to die on your own terms. We take joy and relief in knowing that your suffering has ended. We ask you now for forgiveness for any of the ways we may have hurt you in this life – – and we forgive you for any of the ways you may have hurt us.
Please join me now in remembering ( ) by responding with “we will remember you” at each pause.
( ), there is sadness in our hearts as we say goodbye, but there is profound gratitude for your life, and you will never be forgotten.
When we are weary and in need of strength, When we are lost and sick at heart
Response: We will remember you.
When we have a joy we crave to share, When we have decisions that are hard to make
Response: We will remember you.
At the blowing of the wind and in the chill of winter, At the opening of the buds and in the rebirth of spring
Response: We will remember you.
At the blueness of the skies and in the warmth of summer, At the rustling of the leaves and in the beauty of autumn
Response: We will remember you.
As long as we live, you too will live
For you are a part of us,
Response: We will remember you.
Eternal God. We pray for ourselves and for ( )
We stand where Heaven and Earth meet,
Where life is brought to death
Deliver 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 give
So that we, with ( ) , may trust in you
And find our life through you.
Lord, you renew the face of the Earth,
Gather to yourself ( ) , whom we have loved,
And grant her those things
Which 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 present
And to look forward to good in our future.
Grant us peace; sacred moments of communion with the Universe
And faith - in whatever most expresses our deepest inner truth.
Bless us and heal us; breathe peace and grace into our lives
Love and light on this your final journey.
God of compassion, be especially with ( ) ’s family who all mourn today. Surround them with your love and peace. Help them all in the days ahead and enable them to trust in your goodness and mercy, through Jesus Christ our Lord.’
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4 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.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
Thank you ( ) for all you were and all that you gave. We release you now into the Everlasting Arms. May your passage be swift. May you know Wholeness and Peace now and through all eternity
Peace be with you.