Anon

I took up a handful of grain and letting it slip flowing through my fingers,

and I said to myself,  ‘This is what it is all about’.

There is no longer any room for pretence.

At harvest time the essence is revealed

The straw and chaff are set aside, they have done their job.

The grain alone matters – sacks of pure gold.

So it is when a person dies the essence of their life is revealed.

At the moment of death a person’s character stands out;

Happy for the person who has forged it well over the years.

Then it will not be the great achievement that will count, nor how

Much money or possessions a person has amassed.

These, like the straw and the chaff, will be left behind.

It is what they have made of themselves that will matter.

Death can take away from us what we have,

But it cannot rob us of who we are.

Anon

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

Anon

If I had a voice today, I’d say

Dear ones, please don’t cry,

Still love me but don’t grieve for me,

It’s easy if you try

Don’t think of all that I won’t see

Just think of what I’ve seen

Think not of places I won’t go

But remember where I’ve been

I’ve lived, I’ve loved, I’ve laughed, I’ve cried

I’ve worked hard, that’s for sure

I’ve done my best, I’m satisfied

I couldn’t ask for more

I know not what becomes of me

Nor what’s beyond today

If I had a choice I’d use my voice

But alas I’ve gone away

You have memories of me to enjoy

Smile, laugh, be tough,

You have loved me and enriched my life

I was happy, that’s enough!

Anon

The first candle represents our grief.

The pain of losing you is intense

It reminds us of the depth of our love for you

The second candle represents our courage.

To confront our sorrow,

To comfort each other,

To change our lives.

The third candle we light in your memory.

For the times we laughed,

The times we cried,

The times we were angry with each other,

The silly things you did,

The caring and joy you gave us.

The fourth candle we light for our love.

We light this candle that your light will always shine,

As we enter this sad time and share this day of

remembrance with family and friends.

We cherish the special place in our hearts

That will always be reserved for you.

We thank you for the gift

Your living brought to each of us.

Anon

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 tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun

Of happy memories that I leave, when life is done.

Anon