reading suggestions for memorial service

[nhmtns]

My brother-in-law recently passed away from brain cancer. I will be reading a poem or other written piece at the memorial service this weekend. I found one poem titled "Four Candles" that seems appropriate and moving but was wondering if anyone has other suggestions. My family is not religious.

Thanks.

 

[countryteach]

why not?

There are a lot of good poems, but maybe you could write something about his life and how he touched the lives of others. Even though I could not deliver it, this is what I did when my dear brother passed away last year. We also played Toby Keith's song, "As Good As I Once Was". It fit him well. We finished by playing "Keeper of the Stars".

 

[Elyssa]

There is a poem I love by Mary Frye...

Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am in a thousand winds that blow,
I am the softly falling snow.
I am the gentle showers of rain,
I am the fields of ripening grain.
I am in the morning hush,
I am in the graceful rush
Of beautiful birds in circling flight,
I am the starshine of the night.
I am in the flowers that bloom,
I am in a quiet room.
I am in the birds that sing,
I am in each lovely thing.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there. I do not die.


It is spiritual and hopeful, but non-religious.

 

[Toni]

There is a lovely poem called "The Dash" It talks about how what is really important- not the date we were born, or died, but what happened in "the dash."

Kahlil Gibran has a great quote about being sorrowful, and realizing what you are crying for was your joy.

 

[jen517]

This was read at my Grandpa's funeral.

God looked around His garden and he found an empty place, He then looked down upon this Earth, and saw your tired face. He put His arms around you and lifted you to rest. God's garden must be beautiful. He always takes the best. He knew that you were suffering, He knew you were in pain. He knew that you would never get well on Earth again. He saw the road was getting rough and the hills were hard to climb. So he closed your weary eyelids, and whispered "Peace be thine." It broke our hearts to lose you but you didn't go alone. Part of us went with you the day God called you home.

 

[jen517]

Sorry!

My family is not religious.

Apparently I didn't read this portion of your short post. I apologize. Best of luck finding the perfect words to fit the situation. I am sorry for your loss.

 

[Applejack26]

Song

When my (distant) cousin died of brain cancer about 10 years ago, we used Michael Jackson's "Gone too Soon" that he wrote for Ryan White. Beautiful, but sad song...

 

[LSUfan]

If Tears Could Build A Stairway
If tears could build a stairway
And memories were a lane
We would walk right up to Heaven
And bring you back again
No farewell words were spoken
No time to say goodbye
You were gone before we knew it
And only God knows why
Our hearts still ache in sadness
And secret tears still flow
What it meant to lose you
No on will ever know
But know we know you want us
To mourn for you no more
To remember all the happy times
Life still has much in store
Since you’ll never be forgotten
We pledge to you today
A hallowed place within our hearts
Is where you’ll always stay
Author Unknown
When Tomorrow Starts Without Me
When tomorrow starts without me,
and I’m not there to see;
If the sun should rise and find your eyes,
all filled with tears for me;
I wish so much you wouldn’t cry,
the way you did today,
while thinking of the many things,
we didn’t get to say.
I know how much you love me,
as much as I love you,
and each time that you think of me,
I know you’ll miss me too;
But when tomorrow starts without me,
please try to understand,
that an Angel came and called my name,
and took me by the hand,
and said my place was ready,
in heaven far above,
and that I’d have to leave behind,
all those I dearly love.
But as I turned to walk away,
a tear fell from my eye,
for all life, I’d always thought,
I didn’t want to die.
I had so much to live for,
so much yet to do,
It seemed almost impossible,
that I was leaving you.
I thought of all the yesterdays,
the good ones and the bad,
I thought of all the love we shared,
and all the fun we had.
If I could relive yesterday,
just even for awhile,
I’d say goodbye and kiss you
and maybe see you smile.
But then I fully realized,
that this could never be,
for emptiness and memories,
would take the place of me.
And when I though of worldly things,
I might miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you, and when I did,
my heart was filled with sorrow.
But when I walked through heaven’s
gates,
I felt so much at home.
When God looked down and smiled at me,
from His great golden throne,
He said, "This is eternity,
and all I’ve promised you".
Today for life on earth is past,
but here it starts anew.
I promise no tomorrow,
but today will always last,
and since each day’s the same day,
there’s no longing for the past.
But you have been so faithful,
so trusting and so true.
Though there were times you did some things,
you knew you shouldn’t do.
But you have been forgiven
and now at last you’re free.
So won’t you take my hand
and share my life with me?
So when tomorrow starts without me,
don’t think we’re far apart,
for every time you think of me,
I’m right here, in your heart.
David M. Romano​

 

[mshelbyk]

The poem from Four Weddings and A Funeral...

Funeral Blues

Wystan Hugh Auden


Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone,
Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone.
Silence the pianos and with muffled drum
Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come.
Let aeroplanes circle moaning overhead
Scribbling on the sky the message He is Dead,
Put crépe bows round the white necks of the public doves,
Let the traffic policemen wear black cotton gloves.
He was my North, my South, my East and West,
My working week and my Sunday rest,
My noon, my midnight, my talk, my song,
I thought that love would last forever: 'I was wrong'
The stars are not wanted now, put out every one;
Pack up the moon and dismantle the sun;
Pour away the ocean and sweep up the wood.
For nothing now can ever come to any good.