A
Ceremony of Parting
The
liturgies, celebrations, ceremonies, prayers, and reflections offered
on this blog
are the result of my thoughts, reflections, and experiences,
woven together using my own words and sometimes adapting the words others have used:
I am indebted to their wisdom.
Please note that the Rites of Passage liturgies are offered as templates,
and should be adapted as appropriate for your particular gathering.
This ceremony of prayer and anointing is appropriate for use by any group of people,
or by any individual, saying good bye to a loved one who is very close to death.
Everyone is invited to join in saying the words in large bold type.
are the result of my thoughts, reflections, and experiences,
woven together using my own words and sometimes adapting the words others have used:
I am indebted to their wisdom.
Please note that the Rites of Passage liturgies are offered as templates,
and should be adapted as appropriate for your particular gathering.
This ceremony of prayer and anointing is appropriate for use by any group of people,
or by any individual, saying good bye to a loved one who is very close to death.
Everyone is invited to join in saying the words in large bold type.
Opening
words (from Ecclesiastes
3):
For
everything there is a season,
and
a time for every purpose under heaven:
a
time to be born and a time to die;
a
time to mourn and a time to dance…
That
which is, already has been;
that
which is to be, already is:
and
God seeks out what has gone by.
We
meet here because the life we have shared with N is coming to an end,
and it is time to part from her for a while:
We
stand today on the boundary of change
between
the life God gives in this world
and
the new life beyond death.
N will soon step over that boundary into the life beyond,
and one day, when our time comes, we too will cross the threshold:
to be reunited with N and all our loved ones once again.
Prayers:
Creator
God, Lord of life and death, you renew our inner strength,
you
touch our imagination, and you enable us to find meaning
in
all life’s changing circumstances.
Embrace
us in our uncertainties, and lift our hope,
as
we ask your blessing on our parting from N.
As
we surround her with our love and prayers,
so
surround us all with the comfort of your presence:
Surround
us with your peace which is beyond understanding.
We
pray for N, whom we love, who now lives in a land of shadows
where
the light of memory is dimmed, the familiar lies unknown,
and the beloved become as strangers.
May those who care for her be granted
and the beloved become as strangers.
May those who care for her be granted
wisdom
and skill, love and patience.
May
those who are in distress be comforted.
May
those who are dying know peace:
May
those who are grieving find strength.
Amen.
The
Anointing:
N,
I anoint you with oil in the name of God who gives you life.
By
this blessing, and by God’s most tender mercy,
may
you receive love, light, and release
from suffering:
May
God preserve you in all goodness
and bring you to everlasting life.
and bring you to everlasting life.
The
Release:
To
love someone is to risk the pain of parting,
and
not to love is never to have lived.
N,
we love and honour you;
we
thank you for all you have shared with us
all
you have enabled us to share with you,
and
for the difference you have made to our lives.
We
believe that, although we may lose sight of one another for a while,
we
will meet again, where there is no more sadness, pain or death,
in
the brightness of God’s eternity.
Silence
is kept
Go
forth, O soul, from this world:
We
release you into God’s care.
Return
to God who created you:
Return
to God who loves you,
and
who welcomes you home.
God
who gives us life, and in whose arms we die,
nothing
in all creation can separate us from your love.
Hear
us, as we entrust to you your beloved child N.
Accept
her into your safe keeping,
hold
her in the strong embrace of your love,
and
grant her rest, free from illusion or pain or regret,
for
ever in your peace.
Amen.
Silence
is kept
Eternal
God, we thank you for giving N to be with us,
and
for the journey we have shared with her on earth,
which
has now ended.
We
praise you that for N all suffering and sorrow are ended,
death
itself is past, and she lives for ever in your love and care.
Comfort
us in our grief, embrace us with your love,
and
give us grace to let N go into her new life
where
she shall no more be in need or pain;
and
may we at last find life and peace and perfect joy
with
N in your presence.
Amen.
Parting
words:
We
are born of the death of stars,
and
to star-dust our bodies return.
N,
into the freedom of wind and sunshine:
we
let you go.
Into
the dance of the stars and planets:
we
let you go.
Into
the winds breath, and the hands of the star-maker:
we
let you go.
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