Funeral Prayer

My mother asked that the following prayer be said at her funeral

We give them back to Thee, dear Lord,
who gavest them to us,
yet as Thou dost not lose them in giving,
so we have not lost them by their return.
Not as the world giveth, givest Thou,
O Lover of Souls,
What Thou gavest, Thou takest not away,
for what is Thine is ours always if we are Thine.
And Life is eternal and Love is immortal,
and death is only an horizon,
and an horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight.

I hope that you like it

This was an Indian Prayer that Dad wanted read out at his funeral. I think that it came from is days as a scout leader in the 1940s.

An Indian Prayer

Creator of life and light,
We prise thee this day for the beauty of thy world,
for sunshine and flowers,
storm-cloud and starry night,
for the radiance of dawn and the last smouldering calm of the sunset.

We thank thee for physical joys,
for the ecsatcy of swift motion,for deep water to swim in,
For the goodly smell of rain on dry ground,
for hills to climb and hard work to do,
for all the skill of hand and eye,
for music that lifts our hearts in one breath to heaven,
for the grasp of a friend,
for the gracious loveliness of children,

for all these thy sacrements of beauty and joy,
we thank thee our Lord and God.

I had searched for this Indian Prayer on the internet a few times, but I have never found it. I have just dug it out from Dad's funeral service over 12 years ago.

my stepfather commited suicide and i have to say a speech at his funeral. i don't know what to say. i wanted to read a poem but i just can't find one that is appropriate. please help i need it by tomorrow

I have been really struggling to find a funeral poem about a suicide. This is the best that I have been able to find so far.

http://www.suicide-awareness.00page.com/Memory.html

Kind regards

hi there...was wondering if anyone could lend a hand as my nonna(grandmother) passed away sunday, it was sudden as she went in for a routine opereration and all went down hill after that. I feel she passed in peace with family and lots of love around her and would like to say a little something at her funeral maybe a poem or quote to celebrate her life rather than death.....if anyone could lend a hand that would be greatly appreciated....anything!!! thanking you all.

PS: i've been reading some of the requests and responses and would like to say your all doing a fantastic effort to help one another.....that's what lifes is about!!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!

BYeeeee

Jonty P -- what an incredibly beautiful poem for your mom. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. My mom is nearing her death -- well, actually, it could be tonight, which is why I'm here searching for help. And your words really helped. Thanks again -- JK from Florida

Within the heart are unfathomable depths, dragons and lions are there, and poisonous creatures and all the trasures od wickedness, rough uneven places and gaping chasms.
There likewise is God, there are the angels, there life and the Kingdom, there light and the apostles, the heavenly cities and the treasures of grace.

In it is death: in it is life. Within the heart all things are there.

Within the heart are unfathomable depths, dragons and lions are there, and poisonous creatures and all the trasures of wickedness, rough uneven places and gaping chasms.
There likewise is God, there are the angels, there life and the Kingdom, there light and the apostles, the heavenly cities and the treasures of grace.

In it is death: in it is life. Within the heart all things are there.

We all must go full circle
From God’s hand
Into the hand of God;
Know that no life is a life cut short,
For all are lives completed.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

my stepfather commited suicide and i have to say a speech at his funeral. i don't know what to say. i wanted to read a poem but i just can't find one that is appropriate. please help i need it by tomorrow

God looked around his Garden and found an empty place.
He then looked down upon his earth and saw your loving face.

He put his arms around you and lifted you to rest.
His Garden must be beautiful, he always takes the best.
He knew that you were suffering, he knew you were in pain.
And knew that you would never get well on earth again.
He saw your path was difficult, he closed you tired eyes,
He whispered to you "Peace be Thine" and gave you wings to fly.
When we saw you sleeping so calm and free of pain,
We would not wish you back to earth to suffer once again.
You've left us precious memories, your love will be our guide,
You live on through your children, you're always by our side.
It broke our hearts to lose you, but you did not go alone.
For part of us went with you on the day God called you home

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 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.

Today I was at the funeral home arranging for the cremation of my husband who died yesterday. When the person helping me left the room I picked up a binder that was laying on the table and saw this prayer.

The wording reminded me of my husband.

Thanks to whoever wrote it.

[remembrancebook]

Thanks to whoever wrote it.

While generally now attributed to Mary Frye, the hugely popular bereavement poem 'Do not Stand at My Grave and Weep' has uncertain history and origins.

Debate surrounds the definitive and original wording of this remarkable verse, and for some people the authorship is unresolved too. The best evidence and research indicates that Mary Frye is the author of the earliest version, and that she wrote it in 1932.

However, many different variations of the poem can now be found, and many different claims of authorship have been made, and continue to be made.

This is anonymous. I find it very moving.

Miss Me But Let Me Go

When I come to the end of the road
And the sun has set on me,
I want no rites in a gloom filled room,
Why cry for a soul set free.
Miss me a little – but not too long,
And not with your head bowed low.
Remember the love that we once shared,
Miss me – but let me go.
For this is a journey that we all must take,
And each must go alone.
It’s all part of the Master’s plan,
A step on the road to home.
When you are lonely and sick of heart,
Go to the friends we know.
And bury your sorrows in doing good deeds,
Miss me – but let me go.

Hello,
I work in the funeral industry and come across lots of poems and verses during my work. I came across this one while attending a friends funeral who took his own life. I hope it helps people looking for a poem for similar situations.

Don't grieve for me, now i'm free
I'm following the path God laid for me,
I took his hand when I heard him call,
I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day,
To laugh, to love, to work or play.
Tasks left undone must stay that way,
I found that peace at close of day.

If my parting has 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 with times of sorrow.
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life's been full, I've savoured much,
Good friends, good times, a loved ones touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your hearts and share with me,
God wanted me now; He set me free.

I don't know who wrote this but its a lovely poem that I hope some of you will be able to use.

James Rubio

When I Must Leave

When I must leave you
for a little while,
Please do not grieve
and shed wild tears
And hug your sorrow
to you through the years, But start out bravely
with a gallant smile;
And for my sake
and in my name
Live on and do
all the things the same, Feed not your loneliness
on empty days,
But fill each waking hour
in useful ways,
Reach out our hand
in comfort and in cheer
And I in turn will comfort you
and hold you near;
And never, never,
be afraid to die,
For I am waiting
for you in the sky!

by Helen Steiner Rice