No longer mourn for me when I am dead Than you shall hear the surly sullen bell Give warning to the world that I am fled From this vile world, with vilest worms to dwell: Nay, if you read this line, remember not The hand that writ it; for I love you so, That I in your sweet thoughts would be forgot, If thinking on me then should make you woe, O! if, - I say, you look upon this verse, When I perhaps compounded am with clay, Do not so much as my poor name rehearse, But let your love even with my life decay; Lest the wise world should look into your moan, And mock you with me after I am gone.
Maybe I’ll go back to China renovate my Morris Minor take a cruise on an ocean liner
Maybe I’ll clear out the loft stop being so bloody soft find all the things I’ve ever lost
Or perhaps I’ll get married on the Gower mend my broken shower discover my hidden super power
Maybe I’ll make people happy or become less snappy hold a frog find true love
walk Offa’s Dyke ride a bike be honest and not care
Or I might... climb Ben Nevis (and not fall down a crevice) visit Maine, meet Stephen King join a choir and learn to sing
go on safari wear a sari find the ruby player who broke my nose dance a passionate tango with a rose between my teeth
Maybe... I can do it all before my final curtain call if I make the time before I die to live
Group poem created by Emma Purshouse and the Dying Matters workshop participants, held on Saturday 19th May 2019 at Stourbridge library in conjunction with Poetry on Loan.
O day! He cannot die When thou so fair art shining! O Sun, in such a glorious sky, So tranquilly declining;
He cannot leave thee now, While fresh west winds are blowing, And all around his youthful brow Thy cheerful light is glowing!
Edward, awake, awake – The golden evening gleams Warm and bright on Arden’s lake – Arouse thee from thy dreams!
Beside thee, on my knee, My dearest friend, I pray That thou, to cross the eternal sea, Woulds’t yet one hour delay:
I hear it’s billowing roar – I see them foaming high; But no glimpse of a further shore Has blest my straining eye.
Believe not what they urge Of Eden Isles beyond: Turn back, from that tempestuous surge, To thy own native land.
It is not death, but pain That struggles in thy breast – Nay, rally, Edward, rouse again; I cannot let thee rest!
One long look, that sore reproved me For the woe I could not bear – One mute look of suffering moved me To repent my useless prayer:
And, with sudden check, the heaving Of distraction passed away; Not a sign of further grieving Stirred my soul that awful day.
Paled, at length, the sweet sun setting; Sunk to peace the twilight breeze: Summer dews fell softly, wetting Glen, and glade, and silent trees.
Then his eyes began to weary, Weighed beneath a mortal sleep; And their orbs grew strangely dreary, Clouded, even as they would weep.
But they wept not, but they changed not, Never moved, and never closed; Troubled still, and still they ranged not – Wandered not, nor yet reposed!
So I knew that he was dying – Stopped, and raised his languid head; Felt no breath, and heard no sighing, So I knew that he was dead.
EMILY BRONTE
Sharon Gordon Celebrant Stourbridge
I am a Funeral Celebrant based in Stourbridg helping families in a 20 mile radius all around The Black Country, West Midlands, North Worcs, South Staffs, Warks. To find out more about me click here. If you would like to talk to me about any aspect of my services or to appoint me to create a Ceremony for a loved one, please do CONTACT ME here. I will get back to you within 24 hours, usually sooner.
I need help with how to plan a funeral service. A family member has recently died and there are so many things to be sorted out. My head is all over the place. How can I make sure to plan a funeral service that is perfect for my loved one?
Summary
How to plan the perfect Funeral Service. You don’t have to hold the Ceremony in a Crematorium or Church. A Celebrant led Ceremony allows you much more choice. The venue can also have a personal relevance to you and your loved one. It can be indoor or outdoor and combined with the wake. Consider what type of venue you want. The funeral industry is changing. Current generations are not so religious. People now want more choice. I am a Funeral Celebrant living in Stourbridge. I help families within a 20-mile radius of Stourbridge create an authentic Funeral Service for their loved one in a venue of their choice.
how to plan a funeral service
The automatic thought for a funeral service is to hold it at a church or a crematorium. For obvious reasons the committal element is held in your local council crematorium or cemetery. But did you know that you can hold the Ceremony element in a variety of different settings? Most people are aware that a Wedding or Naming Ceremony can be held in a venue that they choose. It’s also true for a Funeral Ceremony and Wake. You can have the Ceremony at any suitable venue. Think about it like this: if a venue is suitable for a wedding ceremony it will also be suitable for a Funeral Service or Celebration of Life Ceremony. You can plan your perfect Funeral Service according to your wishes.
any suitable venue
personal relevance of the venue choice
Think about the character and hobbies of your loved one and what was important to them. You might wish to reflect this in your choice of venue. Were they an avid football or rugby supporter – you may be able to hold the Ceremony at the Club of ‘their team.’ A member of a Golf Club? What is a better venue for the ceremony than their own Club with their fellow members there. It will be a true reflection of their passions. Is a local restaurant or pub a more appropriate place? It’s possible to hire a private room or even a whole restaurant for the afternoon or evening. For a gardener what about a funeral service in your garden? You can have professional caterers in to provide the refreshments. A traditional barn in the countryside used for wedding ceremonies could be your way to plan the perfect funeral service. The venue is only limited by your imagination.
a funeral service in your garden
celebrant led funeral service
A Celebrant led Ceremony is an opportunity for you to create an authentic Ceremony for your loved one in the venue of your choice. You are not restricted to a 30 minute Crematorium Service. A Celebrant talks to you in detail about your loved one and writes a ceremony which reflects their life and character. You choose music, poetry, tributes, readings, and rituals that you want to include. You are in charge. Would you like to have a balloon release ritual? No problem. What about a Memories Tree? Yes, you can have that too. It is a more relaxed and personal goodbye to your loved one.
a balloon release ritual
indoor or outdoor funeral service
Where would
you hold the Ceremony for someone who loved the outdoors and nature? Imagine a peaceful place in nature with birds
singing and the sound of bees. Would
this be the ideal venue for the Funeral or Celebration of Life Ceremony for
your loved one? Would you like a
Ceremony in their favourite local nature area? Combine
it with a scattering of ashes ceremony if appropriate. (You may need to get
permission)
It might
depend on the season and the facilities provided. There would be some extra
considerations regarding weather, accessibility and seating to think about, but
it’s possible to do.
size of venue
Think about the number of people you expect to attend. It isn’t always easy to know for a funeral as people are not normally invited in the normal sense. They just turn up if they want to pay their respects. However, if you can, speak to family members and friends of the deceased. Finding out who is planning to come will help you a lot. You can make sure the venue is an appropriate size. You won’t over cater or under cater for the refreshments at the wake. You need to make sure the room can hold the number of people that are expected. It would be awful if friends and family weren’t all able to fit in. The venue will advise you on this aspect and help you to plan the perfect funeral service. On the other hand, if it’s going be to be a very small funeral for close family only, a room that is too large will feel too impersonal.
accessibility of the venue
Think about where most of the mourners live. Will this have some influence on which venue you choose? How far is it reasonable to travel? Is the choice of venue accessible for those who might be less able-bodied? Elderly friends and relatives may have problems accessing an outdoor venue for example. What about seating? Older people may need to sit down. Is there any overhead cover if it rains? Enough parking spaces? It’s probably a good idea to visit the venue before you book it so that you can plan the perfect funeral service.
it might depend on the season
ceremony and wake combined
You can have the Ceremony and the Wake at the same place. I would recommend it where possible. It avoids the need for everyone to move from place to place. You can choose a place where food and drinks can be provided. Or you can use an outside caterer. There are many companies providing this service. You can hire the venue for a full morning, afternoon or evening. You will have a bespoke Ceremony without the usual time limits, spending time with family and friends at the wake afterwards. This could be the perfect funeral service for your family.
personal choice and changing values
The funeral
industry is changing. What has been a
very traditional profession is now moving with the times. Families
want something different. Current
generations have a different attitude to funerals. Religion is becoming less important to
many. Personalised Ceremonies are now
the popular choice. Many are beginning
to pre-plan their own Funeral, choosing venues, music and readings that they
would like. Those with a life limiting
illness are even choosing to have a pre-death ceremony. Celebrating with their loved ones. Things will continue to change, and I am
happy to accommodate peoples wishes.
Religion is becoming less important
Sharon Gordon Celebrant Stourbridge
Funeral Celebrant based in Stourbridge, West Midlands. I help families to plan the perfect funeral service which celebrates the life of their loved ones. I write bespoke ceremonies and officiate at the ceremony. If you would like to talk to me about a ceremony for your loved one or any aspect of my services, then please do CONTACT ME via this platform. I will get back to you within 24 hours, usually sooner.
I write bespoke ceremonies to create the perfect funeral service
We had a wonderful mother, who never really grew old; Her smile was made of sunshine, And her heart was solid gold; Her eyes were as bright as shining stars In her cheeks fair roses you could see. We had a wonderful mother, And that’s the way it will always be. But take heed, because She’s still keeping an eye on all of us, So let’s make sure She will like what she sees. (Anonymous)
Sharon Gordon Celebrant Stourbridge
I help families to create a Celebration of Life Ceremony for a loved one. If you would like to talk to me about a Ceremony for your loved one please CONTACT ME here
