Humanist - Non-Religious Service
Non Religious Service
(Jane is a fictitious name)
This service features gentle classical music, humanist readings and a farewell that is based around fond memories.
Entrance Music Suggestion - Pietro Mascagni's Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana
Welcome -
Jane passed away on the 13th of November she was 87, a widow of twenty years to John, I am sure that all our thoughts and condolences are with her family, especially her children Peter and Janet. Jane was also a grandmother to four and recently became a great-grandmother.
We take this opportunity to remember Jane, we may imagine her life as a picture book with pages that open each in turn, and each one revealing a story of Jane’s life, from childhood, youth and into maturity.
We can picture the important people who came into Jane’s life, and can notice the achievements, the disappointments and the natural ups and downs that Jane experienced. Both the happy times and the sad times that Jane went through.
Words from Bertrand Russell (Humanist Philosopher)
An individual human existence should be like a river –
small at first, narrowly contained within it’s banks,
and rushing passionately past boulders and over waterfalls.
Gradually, the river grows wider, the banks recede,
the waters flow more quietly, and – in the end –
without any visible break, they become merged in
the sea, and painlessly lose their individual being.
The man or woman, who, in old age,
can see his or her life in this way,
will not suffer from the fear of death,
since the things they care for will continue.
Bertrand Russell (1872 – 1970)
Tributes to Jane -
Music for Reflection - Meditation by Jules Massenet
Reading - She is Gone -
You can shed tears that she is gone
or you can smile because she has 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.
Used at the Funeral service of the Queen Mother.
Words of Farewell
As you prepare yourselves to say farewell to Jane, we remember that although we are committing her body to this place today, there remains cherished memories of her life that will remain forever alive in your hearts and in your minds.
We now commit Jane to this place ashes to ashes and dust to dust in sure and certain hope that her memory will live on in the hearts and minds of those who love her from this day forward.
The influence that Jane has had in your lives, i’m sure will continue to accompany you in our own life journeys, as each one of you carries forward an important part of who Jane was, and is to you - into the future with you.
In these moments, you may naturally find gratitude for who Jane was to you, for the happy times and the relationship that you shared with her, for the love and dedication that she showed to her family and to her friends and to his wider community; Also for her individuality. We can be grateful for the things that made her unique and special to you, and so holding those memories close to your hearts we let Jane go.
As we prepare to leave this place now, hopefully with peace in our hearts and in charity with one another. You now face a future separated from Jane, but as you were all privileged to have known her, and you remember her life with joy, then all her hopes and dreams now rest with you.
May I thank you on behalf of the family for coming to this place to remember Jane, and make your fond farewells.
There will be a reception at The Hall Hotel following this service, and you are warmly welcomed to join with the family to continue to celebrate Jane’s life there.
Any Donations will be going to a really worthy local organisation, Torbay Stroke Support.
I wish you all a safe journey, and we end with Music that I am sure Jane would really appreciate.
Morning Mood from Peer Gynt - by Grieg
(Jane is a fictitious name)
This service features gentle classical music, humanist readings and a farewell that is based around fond memories.
Entrance Music Suggestion - Pietro Mascagni's Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana
Welcome -
Jane passed away on the 13th of November she was 87, a widow of twenty years to John, I am sure that all our thoughts and condolences are with her family, especially her children Peter and Janet. Jane was also a grandmother to four and recently became a great-grandmother.
We take this opportunity to remember Jane, we may imagine her life as a picture book with pages that open each in turn, and each one revealing a story of Jane’s life, from childhood, youth and into maturity.
We can picture the important people who came into Jane’s life, and can notice the achievements, the disappointments and the natural ups and downs that Jane experienced. Both the happy times and the sad times that Jane went through.
Words from Bertrand Russell (Humanist Philosopher)
An individual human existence should be like a river –
small at first, narrowly contained within it’s banks,
and rushing passionately past boulders and over waterfalls.
Gradually, the river grows wider, the banks recede,
the waters flow more quietly, and – in the end –
without any visible break, they become merged in
the sea, and painlessly lose their individual being.
The man or woman, who, in old age,
can see his or her life in this way,
will not suffer from the fear of death,
since the things they care for will continue.
Bertrand Russell (1872 – 1970)
Tributes to Jane -
Music for Reflection - Meditation by Jules Massenet
Reading - She is Gone -
You can shed tears that she is gone
or you can smile because she has 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.
Used at the Funeral service of the Queen Mother.
Words of Farewell
As you prepare yourselves to say farewell to Jane, we remember that although we are committing her body to this place today, there remains cherished memories of her life that will remain forever alive in your hearts and in your minds.
We now commit Jane to this place ashes to ashes and dust to dust in sure and certain hope that her memory will live on in the hearts and minds of those who love her from this day forward.
The influence that Jane has had in your lives, i’m sure will continue to accompany you in our own life journeys, as each one of you carries forward an important part of who Jane was, and is to you - into the future with you.
In these moments, you may naturally find gratitude for who Jane was to you, for the happy times and the relationship that you shared with her, for the love and dedication that she showed to her family and to her friends and to his wider community; Also for her individuality. We can be grateful for the things that made her unique and special to you, and so holding those memories close to your hearts we let Jane go.
As we prepare to leave this place now, hopefully with peace in our hearts and in charity with one another. You now face a future separated from Jane, but as you were all privileged to have known her, and you remember her life with joy, then all her hopes and dreams now rest with you.
May I thank you on behalf of the family for coming to this place to remember Jane, and make your fond farewells.
There will be a reception at The Hall Hotel following this service, and you are warmly welcomed to join with the family to continue to celebrate Jane’s life there.
Any Donations will be going to a really worthy local organisation, Torbay Stroke Support.
I wish you all a safe journey, and we end with Music that I am sure Jane would really appreciate.
Morning Mood from Peer Gynt - by Grieg