HIGHLAND CEREMONIES
Some inspirational readings to help you say farewell ...
There are usually one or two main readings throughout a funeral ceremony, plus perhaps an additional one if there is a graveside interment or separate committal. These are usually chosen according to the character and beliefs of the individual to whom we're saying farewell. Some readings are funny, some very poignant, and some religious or spiritual and these are arranged in sections which you can go to directly by clicking on the link below:
Even if you feel you have no personal beliefs, please don't forget to have a look at the spiritual and religious texts as some of those readings might strike a real chord with you and they're very beautiful. If you don't see quite what you're looking for, please speak to me and I will suggest readings for you.
I will usually read these on your behalf within the ceremony but you might also like a close family friend or relative who's a confident speaker to read one of these for you, but don't feel that you have to have someone do that.
Just click on the name of the text to see the whole reading which will open up on the page in pdf format..
General readings and poems
You may recognise some of these readings - many are particularly well known, but there are lots that you probably have never heard before. Most of the poems with pronouns such as He is Gone can be changed to suit the person.
by David Harkins
by James Riley
by Georgia Harkness
by Robert H Smith
Don't think of Him as Gone Away
by Ellen Brennerman
by Ruth van Bramberg
by David Whyte
by Yvonne Goddard
by David Romano
by Paula O'Brien
by Margaret Mead
You've Just Walked On Ahead of Me
by Joyce Grenfell
Do Not Go Gentle into that Good Night
by Dylan Thomas
by Rabindranath Tagore
by John O'Donohue
by William Wordsworth
by Ruth Van Gramberg
by Lorna Ferguson
by Debbie Giorni
Remember Me When I Am Gone Away
by Christina Rosetti
by S Moltazavi
by Joyce Grenfell
by W H Davies
by Arnold Crompton
and if your loved one had dementia ...
These three little poems are partic ularly poignant if your loved one was in this situation and these would usually be read out in the introduction of a ceremony.
by Owen Darnell
For babies and children
by Graham Allaway
by Stephen Meara-Blount
by K Fugleberg
by Mary Yarnall
Spiritual readings and poems
Do Not Stand at my Grave and Weep
by Mary Elizabeth Frye
by Injete Chesoni
by Henry Scott Holland
by Ann Thorp
by Kahlil Gibran
by Iris Hesselden
by John O'Donohue
by Kahlil Gibran
Religious readings and poems
by Anelia Josephine Barr
by John Donne
Poems relating to hobbies and interests
by Delmar Pepper
by Eunice Lamberton
by Henry Van Dyke
by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
by Elizabeth Clark Hardy
by Sir John Betjamin
by Robert Gwalchmai
by Melanie Challenger
by Sandra Andersen
by Criswell Freeman
by Robert Burns
by John Magee
Lighthearted and humorous poems
These few little poems certainly aren't for everyone, so perhaps just skip on past this section if you think you may be offended ...
by Wendy Cope
by Jenny Joseph