I’ve taken in recent years to thinking about my funeral
and have decided to make one paramount request:
play jolly music at that ritual.
What good does it do to heap on dirges
or other mournful melodies?
I won’t be there to be gratified by the grieving
and if I could tune in
I’d be happier to see those present have some relief.
Dixieland would be nice.
Joplin would be fine.
Something by Fats Waller would certainly do.
Those early jazzmen knew what they were up to
when they set about making funeral marches swing.
So swing me away, please, with a rousing tune.
The Funeral Consultant is your friend in need, a 24/7 funeral advice service offering help and support when you need it the most.
These days any type of music is acceptable at a funeral service. I once heard the Sex Pistols' version of 'My Way'. Importantly, what you want to listen to and what was loved by the person who died is the ultimate guide to music choice. Music is, after all, the food of love.
We are proud to offer an insight into the Wesley Music Sound Solutions. A small piece can be found on our website that includes a link to the music library available at Torquay Crematorium and other Crematoria around the country – any that use the system. Pay us a visit when you have a moment.
Wesley Music provides music systems for Crematoria enabling families to choose almost any piece of commercial music or hymn. Their tag is 'If it's available, we'll provide it', and if the Crematorium system does not store a track you particularly want they will locate it if specified two or more days before the funeral.
It is an excellent system, also providing service broadcasts for those who cannot attend.
Please visit: http://www.funeralconsultant.co.uk/ and choose the 'Wesley Music' link to find out more or search through their music libraries. You can do this before you visit your funeral director - yet another thing that you can cross from your list.
Don't weep at my grave,
For I am not there,
I've a date with a butterfly
To dance in the air.
I'll be singing in the sunshine,
Wild and free,
Playing tag with the wind,
While I'm waiting for thee.
THEY bear him to his resting-place—
In slow procession sweeping by;
I follow at a stranger’s space;
His kindred they, his sweetheart I.
Unchanged my gown of garish dye,
Though sable-sad is their attire;
But they stand round with griefless eye,
Whilst my regret consumes like fire!
Thomas Hardy, 1840–1928
Then Almitra spoke, saying, "We would ask now of Death."
And he said: You would know the secret of death.
But how shall you find it unless you seek it in the heart of life?
The owl whose night-bound eyes are blind unto the day cannot unveil the mystery of light.
If you would indeed behold the spirit of death, open your heart wide unto the body of life.
For life and death are one, even as the river and the sea are one.
In the depth of your hopes and desires lies your silent knowledge of the beyond;
And like seeds dreaming beneath the snow your heart dreams of spring.
Trust the dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity.
Your fear of death is but the trembling of the shepherd when he stands before the king whose hand is to be laid upon him in honour.
Is the shepherd not joyful beneath his trembling, that he shall wear the mark of the king?
Yet is he not more mindful of his trembling?
For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun?
And what is to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered?
Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing.
And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb.
And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance.
A gift - from the living to the dead
This calling, this passion, this ancient trade.
Bearer of dignity, saviour of respect,
This silent and secretive soul institution.
And what privilege bestowed on one alone
To lead, to guide and heal the many:
Fountain of knowledge, rock of strength
Upon which are builded the hopes of loved ones.
Their trust in our hands,
To care for their most precious jewel
And return it safely to its Maker.
Through rain, shine and adversity overcome.
This tragedy and comedy, figurehead and friend,
Modest bringer of peace, solace and normality;
Whose happy victory lies in perfect anonymity
And for whom 'thank you' is reward enough.
(c) The Funeral Consultant 2011
When someone is cremated their mortal remains are confined to ash, sometimes referred to as Cremated Remains. Many times in my career I have visited funeral homes that have housed countless plastic or cardboard containers of ashes. These are the people whose families are unsure of what exactly they wish to do with them; this is where we try to secure some closure for friends and relations in an appropriate and fitting way.
Here we have put together a small selection of the urns and caskets available to order from us:
Scatter tubes are an excellent way to hold, carry or ultimately disperse ashes. There are many different external designs. These are priced at £16.00 each.
Journey Earthurns come in two sizes, small and large at £25 or £50 respectively. They are crafted from recycled paper and are meant to be cast into the sea.
They remain on the surface for a short while before sinking from sight to biodegrade over time.
The Cloud urn is for a baby's cremated remains. It is in fact made of ceramic and comes in a choice of five different colours, priced at £150.
The Moss Bio Urn is contructed from recycled and bio-friendly materials. The urn can be buried with no impact to the environment but can also be kept and admired. A double-canvas drawstring sack holds the ashes safely inside.
Sometimes, caring for the planet comes at cost, in this case £200.
There is a very small delivery charge for national (or international) delivery but orders to local addresses will not incur a fee.
All of these and more are available on our By Rawlinson page or just give me a call: 01803 211128. Most payment methods are accepted.
http://www.funeralconsultant.co.uk/after-the-funeral/rkf-products
