Here are some readings and poems that you may wish to consider to include in the funeral service. Please discuss this with us and the person officiating at the service.

Many of these are non-religious.

***

All Is Well

Death is nothing at all.

I have only slipped away to the next room.

I am I and you are you.

Whatever we were to each other,

That, we still are.



Call me by my old familiar name

Put no difference into 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 a shadow on it.

Life means all that it ever meant.

It is the same that it ever was.

There is absolute unbroken continuity.

Why should I be out of mind

because I am out of sight?

I am but waiting for you.

For an interval.

Somewhere. Very near.

Just around the corner.

All is well.

***

Our memories build a special bridge

When loved ones have to part

To help us feel were with them still

And soothe a grieving heart

They span the years and warm our lives

Preserving ties that bind

Our memories build a special bridge

And bring us peace of mind

Emily Mathews

***

You've just walked on ahead of me

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.

Unknown

***

If I should die before the rest of you
Break not a flower nor inscribe a stone

Nor, when I'm gone, speak in a Sunday voice,

But be the usual selves that I have known.

Weep if you must

Parting is hell.

But life goes on.

So sing as well.

Joyce Grenfell

***

At every turning of my life

I came across

Good friends,

Friends who stood by me

Even when the time raced me by.

Farewell, farewell

My friends

I smile and

Bid you goodbye.

No, shed no tears

For I need them not

All I need is your smile.

If you feel sad

Do think of me

For that's what I'll like.

When you live in the hearts

Of those you love

Remember then

You never die.

Rabindranath Tagore

***

And when the stream that overflows has passed,

A consciousness remains upon the silent shore of memory;

Images and precious thoughts that shall not be

And cannot be destroyed.

William Wordsworth,
from The Excursion

***

Into the freedom of wind and sunshine

We let you go

Into the dance of the stars and the planets

We let you go

Into the wind's breath and the hands of the star maker

We let you go

We love you, we miss you, we want you to be happy

Go safely, go dancing, go running home

Ruth Burgess

***

Miss me, but let me go

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 setfree

Miss me a little - but not too long

And not withyourhead bowed low
Miss me - but let me go

Remember the love that we once shared

For this is a journey that we must all take

And each must go alone

It's all a 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

by Unknown Author

***

When I'm Gone

When I come to the end of my journey

And I travel my last weary mile

Just forget if you can, that I ever frowned

And remember only the smile

Forget unkind words I have spoken

Remember some good I have done

Forget that I ever had heartache

And remember I've had loads of fun

Forget that I've stumbled and blundered

And sometimes fell by the way

Remember I have fought some hard battles

And won, ere the close of the day

Then forget to grieve for my going

I would not have you sad for a day

But in summer just gather some flowers

And remember the place where I lay

And come in the shade of eveningfor a few moments beside me

And remember only my best

When the sun paints the sky in the west Stand

by Mrs.Lyman Hancock

***

Goodbye My Friend

Though we never know

Where life will take us,

I know it's just a ride

On the wheel.

And we never know

When death will shake us

And we wonder how

It will feel.

So Goodbye my friend.

I know I'll never see you again.

But the time together

Through all the years,

Will take away these tears.

It's OK now - Goodbye my friend.

I see a lot of things

That make me crazy,

And I guess I held on to you,

You could have run away

And left - well maybe,

But it wasn't time

And we both knew.

So Goodbye My friend.

I know I'll never see you again.

But the love you gave meWill take away these tears.

I'm OK now - Goodbye my friend.

Through all the years

by Author Unknown

***

Life is but a Stopping Place

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 slow.

For some the journey's quicker

And when the journey finally ends

We'll claim a great reward

And find an everlasting peace

Together with the lord

by Author unknown

***

Crossing Over

Oh, please don't feel guilty

It was just my time to go.

And the tears just seem to flow.

I see you are still feeling sad

We all come to earth for our lifetime

And for some it's not many years

I don't want you to keep crying

You are shedding so many tears.

I haven't really left you

Even though it may seem so.

I have just gone to my heavenly home

And I'm closer to you than you know.

Just believe that when you say

my name, I'm standing next to you

I know you long to see me

But there's nothing I can do.

But I'll still send you messages

And hope you understand

That when your time comes to

"cross over," I'll be there

to take your hand.

by Author Unknown

***

Look for me in Rainbows

Time for me to go now, I won't say goodbye

Look for me in rainbows, way up in the sky.

In the morning sunrise when all the world is new

Just look for me and love me, as you know I loved you.

Time for me to leave you, I won't say goodbye

Look for me in rainbows, high up in the sky.

Just look for me and love me, and I'll be close to you.

In the evening sunset, when all the world is through

It won't be forever, the day will come and then

My loving arms will hold you, when we meet again.

Time for us to part now, we won't say goodbye

Look for me in rainbows, shining in the sky.

Every waking moment, and all your whole life through

Just look for me and love me, as you know I loved you.

Just wish me to be near you

And I'll be there with you.

Vicki Brown