Peacefully, sleep comes to a dear, beloved heart, 

Quietly we understand the time has come to part

Tenderly, the love shines on – a never ending light 

Gratefully we feel its warmth, and say 

“Sweet dreams – Good Night”

The tide recedes, 

but leaves behind bright seashells on the sand.

The sun goes down 

but its gentle warmth still lingers on the land.

The music stops 

and yet it echoes on in sweet refrains. 

For every joy that passes – 

something beautiful remains 

You can shed tears that she is gone

or you can smile because she lived. 

You can close your eyes and pray that she’ll come back 

or you can open your eyes and see all she’s left. 

Your heart can be empty because you can’t see her

or you can be full of the love you shared. 

You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday

or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday. 

You can remember her and only that she’s gone 

or you can cherish her memory and let it live on. 

You can cry and close your mind, be empty and turn your back

or you can do what she’d want: smile, open your eyes, love and go on. 

(anon) 

Everything passes and vanishes 

Everything leaves its trace; 

And often you see in a footstep

What you could not see in a face. 

(William Allingham 1924-1989)

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’s 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. 

(Anon) 

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. 

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them. 

(Laurence Binyon 1869-1943) 

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say. 

But first of all to let you know that I arrived o.k. 

I'm writing this from heaven, here I dwell with god above. Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight. Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon, and night.  

That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through, God picked me up and hugged me and he said, I welcome you. Its good to have you back again, you were missed while you were gone. As for your dearest family, they'll be there later on. 

 I need you here so badly, you're part of my big plan There's so much that we have to do to help our mortal man God gave me a list of things that he wished for me to do,  and foremost on the list was to watch and care for you.

  I will be beside you every day and week and year, And when you're sad, I'm standing there to wipe away each tear. And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight,  God and I are closest to you in the middle of the night.  

When you think of my life on earth and all those loving years,  because you're only human, they are bound to bring you tears. But do not be afraid to cry - it does relieve the pain. Remember there would be no flowers unless there was some rain.  

I wish that I could tell you all what God has planned, But if were to tell you, you wouldn't understand. But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er, I am closer to you now than I ever was before.  

And to my many friends, trust God knows what is best, I am still not very far away from you, I'm just beyond the crest. There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb. But together we can do it by taking one day at a time. 

 It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for yours too that as you give unto the world, so the world will give to you. If you can help somebody who's in sorrow or in pain,  then you can say to god at night, my day was not in vain.  

And now I am contented that my life it was worthwhile,  knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile. 

 So if you meet somebody who is down and feeling low,  just lend a hand to pick him up as on your way you go. When you are walking on the street and you've got me on your mind,  I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.  

And when you feel that gentle breeze or the wind upon your face,  that's me giving you great big hug or just a soft embrace. And when it’s time for you to go from that body to be free,  remember you're not going, you are coming here to me. 

 And I will always love you from the land way up above,  we'll be in touch again soon, P.s. god sends his love. 

(Anon) 

We see but dimly  

We see but dimly through the mists and vapors; Amid these earthly damps 

What seem to us but sad, funeral tapers 

May be heaven's distant lamps.  

Longfellow (1819-1892)

DEATH IS NOTHING AT ALL ...  

I have only slipped away into the next room. 

I am I and you are you.  

Whatever we were to each other that we are still. Call me by my old familiar name.  

Speak to me in the easy way which you always used.  

Put no difference in 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 effort, without the ghost of a shadow on it.  

Life means all that it ever meant.  

It is the same as it ever was; there is absolutely unbroken continuity.  

Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?  

I am waiting for you for an interval,  somewhere very near, just around the corner. 

All is well.  

 (Canon Henry Scott Holland)

If I should go 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)