The readings given during a funeral service can act as a way of honouring the deceased, giving hope and comfort to family and friends in attendance and in some instances to pay respect to the faith professed by the dead person.
The choice of reading should depend on the message that you want to pass. If you are seeking religious readings, you should consider the faith of the individual and the message contained for the mourners attending the funeral service.
For other popular readings, you should consider the message that was being passed by the author and the message that will be passed to those in attendance. Additionally, when picking readings, you should also consider the last wishes of the deceased. Some individuals usually leave strict instructions on what should be done as the last rites are being carried.
This article will explore some of the most popular spiritual, motivational and biblical readings that can be read during the last funeral rites.
1. Let Us Be Contented by Sir Winston Churchill
This is a verse that was written by the former Prime Minister of Britain Sir Winston Churchill. It can act as a comfort to mourners by helping them understand that death should not be just about mourning but rather a celebration of a life well lived.
2. She Is Gone/ He Is Gone by David Harkins
The uncertainty, pain, and loss left in the wake of death of can leave loved ones feeling that there is nothing to look forward to. This poem by David Harkins was written with a view of giving hope to the bereaved. It tries to give hope by showing that death is but another step in a journey. It should be a celebration of life and not a sombre and dark event.
3. Psalms 23
This reading is highly appropriate for a Christian funeral. Not only does it pay tribute to the Christian faith, but it serves to show the bereaved and other mourners that though a loved soul has departed from this earth, they are still guided and protected by the grace of God in the new chapter of the journey of life.
4. Farewell My Friends by Gitanjali Ghei
This reading was composed by Gitanjali Ghei is otherwise known as the girl who conquered death. This touching peace can be read at a funeral as a dedication to the family and friends who have been left behind by the deceased. It can act as a comforting dedication to those who loved the deceased making them understand that death is a rite of passage, but one lives on as long as they are remembered by their loved ones.
5. Instructions: A Poem by Arnold Crompton
One of the hardest things to do after the death of a loved one is to move on. This poem was composed is meant to be dedicated by mourners who are attending the funeral of a loved one. It tries to offer hope that though death is a solemn occasion, it is not good to linger on the sombre and solemn part. Instead, the funeral should act as a celebration of a life that has been well lived by the deceased.
Choosing the readings for a funeral service can be a daunting task. However, to get the best fit for a service, you should ask yourself the following questions. How did the deceased live their life? How would they have wanted their life celebrated?
Keep in mind that choosing the right reading can make the funeral service easier and more bearable for those in attendance for those in attendance.
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