Ceremony for a Man who died by suicide at age 80.
ORDER OF SERVICE
MUSIC on entry: Instrumental "Blue Danube" (play from the start please and continue it at the end of the ceremony as well).
Welcome:
Welcome. Before we begin I would like to announce that the family invites you to join them for refreshment straight after the ceremony. And, it would be appreciated if you would please turn your mobiles phones off at this time. Thank you.
Ladies and gentlemen, my name is __________, and I am a civil celebrant. On behalf of the family of _________ and _________ Funeral Home, I thank everyone for coming to share and honor the memory of "______", as the family knew him, in this ceremony today.
Here's a sentence from the epilogue in Shakespeare's "The Tempest" and I
quote:
"Gentle breath of yours my sails
Must fill, or else my project fails,
Spirits to enforce, Art to enchant."
______ , you have enchanted us with your art. In life, you observed on the fringes...but in art you were set free soaring high above mediocrity.
His work was exhibited at many art shows including the prestigious Herald Outdoor Art Show which is an annual event here in the beautiful city of Melbourne. The former Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies acquired his work and commercial design firms populated his nautical motifs.
______ expressed his creative soul, his inner emotional self through his works. And with that, he leaves behind a legacy of children, their children and their children's children - with art and music evident in their lineage and heritage.
I would like to share with you now, on a personal note if I may, that I was deeply moved and felt a part of very special place as his family invited me to "really" look at their Father's work on display everywhere on most every wall in the house. Here was a prolific man who could miraculously paint on huge, huge canvases. As we stepped out into the lovely garden that _____ created years before, now in full bloom on an early summers day ~ strangely, the burst of pinks and oranges would pale in comparison to ______'s expression and celebration of nature. He certainly brought the outside in. Truly fantastic. Thank you for allowing me this honor.
(Hold up or point to the painted tray or ______'s painting.)
What kind of man was ______?
His daughters describe him as complex, private, deeply human, difficult, argumentative and shy. Some would say and many thought he was pompous and arrogant. A man who chose the safety of social isolation.
It may have appeared that he was not interested in the rest of humanity and yet the same man worked hard in a committed way to provide for his family and expressed sentimentality in a way that disarmed them...keeping cards, letters and treasured photographs of his extended family. That was ______. You see, he was in his quiet, unemotional way - proud of all of you.
Indeed an extension of the pride he felt in everything that he was...and all that he did.
It is true that he remained aloof and yet like many of us that search with inner longing to connect with the world...he did the best he could.
Music befriended him. He returned to playing the organ until his hard working hands were assailed by arthritis making it impossible to play.
The end came at time of his own choosing in his home that was his sanctuary.
The peace that had so long eluded him was now destined to be his.
Reflection:
It is appropriate now to pause for a moment. Those who are believers might like to pray others might choose to reflect on his life and the meaning it holds for you. During this time the family has chosen a special song for you to listen to that ______ very much enjoyed..."Ik Hou Van Holland" which translated means "My beloved Holland".
MUSIC: "Ik Hou Van Holland"
Our thoughts are with the family, _________, family friends and everyone who came to know and care for this man...we extend to you our deepest sympathy.
(Turn to ______'s coffin and say:)
And so we surround ______' spirit with love and light.
Committal Ceremony:
The direct family will say there private farewell to ______ later, therefore I will say the words of committal at this time. l
Please stand...
Tenderly and with honor and appreciation we remember the life of ______.
He is now beyond harm, fear and pain; and here...in this last rite...we commit his body to the elements.
Blessing:
______ loved to intricately paint ships making their tumultuous way on the wide open sea. The color blue in every hue abounds. His soul was that of the quintessential adventurer. I give you this reading and ask you to close your eyes and picture for a moment, ______ on the shores of his studio, silent and totally immersed in his world of art...painting.
A reading from Alfred, Lord Tennyson
Break, break, break
On thy cold Gray stones, O Sea!
And I would that my tongue could utter
The thoughts that arise in me
And the stately ships go on
To their haven under the hill;
But O for the touch of a vanish'd hand,
And the sounds of a voice that is still.
I urge you that in ______' name before sunset on this day that you reconcile with someone in your life, reach out, ring them up or write them a letter. Go ahead...Create anew! and in this way ______ lives on with his everlasting brushstroke on your life's canvas.
(Turn to ______'s coffin and say:)
Thank you for all that you were, all that you gave us as we say to you now love and light on this your journey.
Thank you ladies and Gentleman, this concludes the ceremony honoring ______'s life. Please stay and join the family for refreshments.
MUSIC: "Blue Danube"
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